Senior Food Technologist

Product Development & Quality

Airport City - Cape Town

SALARY: Market-Related

Market Sector: Food Manufacturing, Importing, Product Development, and National Food Distribution, supplying high-quality branded and private-label food products to South Africa's leading retailers, wholesalers, and the food service industry.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Technologist to lead the Food Safety and Quality function within our business.

This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements across all operations while protecting the integrity of our products. The successful candidate will work closely with our local and international suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, support innovation, maintain certification standards, and ensure products consistently meet customer and legislative requirements.

The role also provides support to the New Product Development (NPD) team, supports successful product launches and range management, oversees artwork approval, and acts as the key technical contact for customer and third-party audits.

Minimum requirements

• Diploma in Food Technology/ Food Science.

• Minimum 10 years' experience in a technical or quality role within the food manufacturing industry.

• Extensive experience managing food safety and quality management systems within a manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated experience leading customer, third-party and certification audits, including audit

preparation and close-out of corrective actions.

• Strong working knowledge of South African food legislation, labelling regulations and relevant food

safety standards.

• Proven ability to independently review, assess and approve product artwork, identifying and resolving regulatory, legal and technical compliance issues prior to sign-off.

• Experience maintaining food safety certification programmes (e.g. FSSC 22000, BRC or equivalent).

• Experience supporting New Product Development, product launches and ongoing range management from a technical perspective.

• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, quality systems and continuous improvement principles.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• High level of computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.

• Office-based position.

Key competencies and desired attributes

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and build credibility across all levels of the business.

• Highly organized with exceptional planning and time management skills.

• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Proactive, self-motivated and able to work independently.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.

• High level of integrity and accountability.

• Adaptable and resilient, with a continuous improvement mindset.

• A collaborative team player who enjoys working across multiple functions.

If you are a seasoned professional eager to lead quality and safety initiatives within a forward-thinking organization, we want to hear from you. Take the next step in your career and contribute to shaping the future of food products in South Africa—apply today to make a tangible impact in the industry. "Apply Now Lumina Personnel"