Food Blending Process Lead

About the role

The Food Blending Process Lead will oversee the Johannesburg QC Laboratory and the blending plant for a food manufacturing client. This position combines technical expertise, operations management, and quality‑control support to ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the JHB QC & Microbiology laboratory and daily operations of the blending plant.
• Control budget and cost centre, including municipality accounts and effluent reporting.
• Conduct weekly stocktakes, generate microbiology reports, and handle customer complaints and investigations.
• Oversee internal and external audits, food‑safety traceability, equipment verification, and FS culture compliance.
• Supervise product release processes, external lab sample management, and service‑provider relationships.
• Maintain staff leave records, attendance registers, and performance objectives.
• Provide training on laboratory and blending processes, record performance, and set performance targets.
• Ensure all quality and food‑safety objectives for blending are achieved.

Required profile

• Diploma or degree in Biotechnology with a focus on Microbiology/Biochemistry, or BTech in Operations Management.
• Strong understanding of yeast biology, fermentation processes, and microbiological control.
• Minimum 5 years of Quality Control experience in a food‑manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Syspro, Opsuite or Tempo systems and report writing.

Required skills

• Syspro
• Opsuite
• Tempo system
• Report writing
• Yeast biology and fermentation knowledge