Laboratory Technician
Operations
Responsible for laboratory testing and analysis of raw materials and finished products to support food safety, quality and production standards.
Job Purpose
To conduct microbiological and analytical tests on raw materials and finished products manufactured. Ensuring results are communicated and corrected. To comply with the organisational as well as legal standards and procedures. To carry out any other relevant duties as required.
Key Accountabilities and Outputs
Product and Raw Material Testing
Conduct microbiological and analytical testing on the following products using approved testing methods as per SOP
Carbonated soft drink
Incoming raw material and verification of consignment products
External verification tests by a SANAS accredited laboratory
Equipment calibration and or daily verification
Conduct analytical tests in water as follows: pH., Brix, CO2, FS02, Turbidity and Alcohol %, TSO2, etc.
Organoleptic checks
Packaging quality checks
Seam evaluation quality control checks
Conducting microbiocidal testing of the final product, surfaces, and the environment, etc.
Non-product environmental testing
Conduct micro-testing on equipment, environment, water, and air by plating on Agar plates
Conducting micro-testing on environmental swabs
Communication, reporting of results, and deviations, and investigation
Communicate any deviations to the Team Leader and/or Quality manager and assist in root cause analysis to identify the source of deviation/ non-conformity
Ensure all reagents to be used are available and discard all waste generated during analysis
Plans work accordingly and request reagents if not available or about to expiure
Correct and safe packing of waste for disposal
Health, Safety, Quality and FSSC 22000
Visual inspection on plant and products
Ensure adherence to standards
Ensure that all work is done in a safe manner and all equipment used complies with safety standards.
Support the companies Health and Safety as well as Quality programme to achieve the identified objectives and targets and fulfil the responsibilities assigned by management
Adhere to all food safety standards and report on all issues with regards to the food safety management system to the Food Safety Team
Ensure that the Critical Control Points (CCP1) and Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRP2) are measured, monitored and verified at predetermined frequencies as per SOP
Quality and Experience
Grade 12
BSc in Microbiology, BSc/ Biotechnology Diploma or B.Tech Food Technology qualification
1 year product testing in FMCG
1 year laboratory experience
Key quality and behavioural competencies
Attention to Detail: Meticulous in observing deviations and ensuring precise measurements to maintain product consistency
Analytical thinking: Ability to evaluate data, identify trends, and troubleshoot quality issues pro-actively
Proactive problem solving mindset: Applies root-cause analysis to resolve defects, inspired by continuous improvement practices. Ability to investigate issues and implement solutions under pressure
Teamwork and communication: Collaborates with production teams and communicates findings clearly to drive corrective actions, fostering a quality-focused culture.
Integrity and accountability: upholds ethical standards in testing and reporting, taking ownership of quality outcomes
Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic manufacturing setting, handling shift work and responding to real-time production challenges
Safety: Commitment to safety, quality, demonstrating integrity in upholding standards without compromise
Additional duties
When required, perform analysis on the purchased raw materials in accordance with RMQC plan
Additional QC duties required as per business requirements
FMCG