Quality Manager

An established food manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Quality Manager to take full ownership of the Quality and Food Safety portfolio. This is a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the COO, with responsibility for driving compliance, governance, and a strong food safety culture across the operation.

Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will be accountable for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of all quality and food safety systems, ensuring compliance with regulatory, customer, and certification standards.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead and manage a Quality Team of approximately 13 employees
• Drive a strong quality and food safety culture across all departments
• Ensure adherence to internal governance, values, and leadership standards
• Collaborate closely with Production, NPD, and Operations teams

Quality & Food Safety

• Maintain and manage certifications and standards including (but not limited to):
  FSSC 22000, Export compliance, major retail standards, Organic and sustainability standards
• Full oversight of Quality and Food Safety Management Systems
• Ensure factory compliance with all regulatory food safety and quality requirements
• Oversee hygiene, housekeeping, and factory standards
• Manage the QC function, including laboratory and testing systems
• Oversee internal and external product testing (microbiological and analytical)
• Lead investigations, responses, trending, and communication of customer complaints
• Act as the primary quality contact during audits, customer visits, and inspections
• Support New Product Development through technical and quality input
• Manage quality-related administration, reporting, and trending
• Control and manage quality-related budgets and GL codes

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or Consumer Science
• Proven experience implementing, maintaining, and improving Food Safety and Quality Management Systems
• Management-level experience within a food manufacturing or FMCG environment
• Experience in roles such as Quality Manager, QA/QC Manager, Food Technologist, or Laboratory Manager
• Knowledge of Laboratory Management Systems (advantageous)
• Strong attention to detail with a structured, methodical approach
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Fully computer literate (MS Excel and Word – intermediate level)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Why Consider This Role

• Senior leadership exposure
• Full ownership of quality and food safety
• Stable manufacturing environment with strong governance focus
• Opportunity to influence culture, systems, and standards at scale

Suitable applications to be emailed to liezel@pronel.co.za