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

Contact information

Busisiwe Mlobeli