Ezma Lambatha

A flexible Food Technologist, I completed National diploma in Food Technology, B-Tech Food Technology and Advanced Diploma in Quality from the University of Johannesburg. I have more than 5 years of expertise in Quality primarily responsible for managing the incoming materials, conduct process checks, testing, in process testing and finished products as well as managing the entire Food safety management system. I am self-motivated, detailed oriented, goal orientated, driven and team spirited.

I am productive in highly pressurized environment and can function under minimal supervision. I am a resilient and ambitious person who is willing to pursue a challenging career in FMCG industry with the objective of securing a position within an entity I will implement accumulated skillset and experience from the corporate industry and tertiary institution to contribute positively to the organisation.

TQFSM Coordinator - Famous Brands

(2023-03)

Food Safety Management Systems and Manufacturing Plant Management responsibilities

• Ensure that the Famous Brands Manufacturing Business Units implement and maintain the correct policies & procedures as defined in the Group TQFSM programme.
• Assistance in the verification of system records, trend analysis and corrective and preventative action.
• Verification of the Business Unit TQFSM systems through a rigorous internal audit and assessment programme.
• Assistance in the management of recalls as required.
• Participate in TQFSM meetings and report back on the outcomes.
• Support and assist the Famous Brands Manufacturing Sites with implementation, control, management and continuous improvement of the Total Quality and Food Safety Management (TQFSM) programme.
• Implementation and control of all Food Safety & Quality (TQFSM) programme documentation.
• Support the management and implementation of food safety tools and technologies.
• Review of all systems, policies, procedures, and checklists on an annual basis.
• Review of Non – Conformances as required.
• Support in investigations of customer complaints and resolution thereof.
• External audit support and preparation thereof.
• Troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis as required.
• Any other duties relating to the TQFSM as required.
• Ensure adherence to the requirements of the FSMS by monitoring and recording the effectiveness of the documented GMP and operational Control Programs documentation.
• Manage the food safety and quality control process.
• Maintain compliance assurance and legislative alignment (environmental, safety, quality)
• Assist Plant Manager with data collection and presentations for monthly review report detailing feedback interpretation on CAR's, Complaints, Triggers, Training and Trend analysis for technical data for compliance.
• Conducting internal and external audits where application in the manufacturing plants.
• Support and facilitate gap analysis for SHEQ external audit findings tracking progress and drive action plans for improvement.
• Participate and lead in HACCP & SHEQ performance meetings/Review and report back on the outcomes.
• To schedule, lead and report on bi- monthly Food Safety Meetings, in which the following shall be discussed: Review of last meeting minutes and action plans on monitoring of OPRP and CCP failures.
• Schedules: Annual HACCP plan review, sampling schedule, document verification and review, management review, quarterly reviews, internal audits results & action plans, FSSC 22000 requirements.
• Ensure that quality control procedures are implemented to the staff personnel.
• Verification of system records, trend analysis and corrective and preventative action
• Ensure that all records (Production and TQFSM) are fully completed daily and ensure verification by production and plant manager.
• Ensure that the non-conformance and corrective action system is fully implemented and effective (including verification activities) Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action and Customer Complaints programme (Investigations of customer complaints and resolution thereof).
• Experienced in low-care and high-care food production environments, including operations in vegetable processing and meat processing plants, ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
• Communicate with factory stuff on food safety and quality defects and proposes remedial actions.
• Manage and control the activities of all on-line production lines, I-comply checks, shopware and food safety controllers.
• Lead the food safety as per requirement FSSC/ISO 22000.
• Manage the KPI system for the food safety team.
• Drawing up to senior management review reports and presentation in detailing feedback on the performance of the management system.
• Prepare and ensure that samples are sent to QC Lab as per schedule verify the laboratory results as per requirement for coordination.
• Promote and maintained a strong food safety culture within the production environment supporting the ISO standards requirements.
• Report to top management on the effectiveness of data analysis and suitability of the food safety and quality management system.
• Review and support identification of all risk assessment of the quality systems, policies, procedures and mitigation of SHEQ risks across plant operation on an annual basis for compliance and certification.
• Conduct of annual Mock Recalls including the reporting of finding with the support of the Technical Department
• Annual food safety & SHEQ training of staff as required or organizing external training with relevant suppliers.
• Adhere to food safety requirements and occupational Health & safety.

Quality Assurance Intern - Famous Brands

(2022-02 - 2023-02)

Quality Assurance duties including supplier management, product specifications, and GMP audits

• Manage a Supplier quality assurance programme SQA, halaal, kosher, allergen statement, data sheet etc.
• Maintain the product database.
• Execution of projects relating to Food Safety
• Investigation if probes from both freezers and chillers are working properly and reading the correct temperatures.
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Audits - Assistance in conducting GMP inspections and report compilation.
• Observer in Internal and External Audits
• Manage the receiving of raw material and packaging material specification.
• Manage and monitoring of product in dispatch, GMP and Hygiene Inspections.
• Conduct Cleaning Chemical Verification
• Manage the daily verification and equipment verification.
• Ensure that quality control procedures are implemented to the staff personnel.
• Verification of system records, trend analysis and corrective and preventative action
• Ensure that all records (Production and TQFSM) are fully completed daily and ensure verification by production and plant manager.
• Ensure that the non-conformance and corrective action system is fully implemented and effective (including verification activities) Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action and Customer Complaints programme (Investigations of customer complaints and resolution thereof).
• Experienced in low-care and high-care food production environments, including operations in vegetable processing and meat processing plants, ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
• Communicate with factory stuff on food safety and quality defects and proposes remedial actions.
• Manage and control the activities of all on-line production lines, I-comply checks, shopware and food safety controllers.
• Lead the food safety as per requirement FSSC/ISO 22000.
• Manage the KPI system for the food safety team.
• Drawing up to senior management review reports and presentation in detailing feedback on the performance of the management system.
• Prepare and ensure that samples are sent to QC Lab as per schedule verify the laboratory results as per requirement for coordination.
• Promote and maintained a strong food safety culture within the production environment supporting the ISO standards requirements.
• Report to top management on the effectiveness of data analysis and suitability of the food safety and quality management system.
• Review and support identification of all risk assessment of the quality systems, policies, procedures and mitigation of SHEQ risks across plant operation on an annual basis for compliance and certification.
• Conduct of annual Mock Recalls including the reporting of finding with the support of the Technical Department
• Annual food safety & SHEQ training of staff as required or organizing external training with relevant suppliers.

Laboratory Analyst - Wilmar SA (Pty) Ltd (Randfontein)

(2020-07 - 2021-12)

Laboratory analysis including calibration, verification, and testing of raw materials and products

• Calibration and Verification of instruments.
• Ensuring QA SOPs are being followed with little Supervision.
• Taking samples for master sample comparison.
• Report results and deviation to the plant.
• Collect of samples for analysis as required.
• Performs in process inspection and test in Quality of products against specifications.
• Generate Certificate of Analysis (COA) of outgoing trucks.
• Effluent water analysis (pH, conductivity, TDS, and COD).
• Boiler Water analysis (pH, conductivity, TDS, Total Hardness, Chloride, Ammonia, Orthophosphate)
• Analytical equipment's: Moisture Analysis (Karl fisher), Spectrophotometer (Refractive Index), SFC analyzer, Lovibond, NIR, Kjeldahl machine, and ICP Machine.
• Testing in Raw Material, on process and final products
• Edible oil (FFA, PV, Phosphorus, Soap content, Moisture and Volatiles, Impurities, wax, Colour).
• Conduct External & Internal verification.
• Manage the Stock – Consumables, Equipment parts etc.
• Manage orders for Service providers e.g. Stationary.
• Communicate equipment requisitions to Quality and Food Safety Manager.
• Ensure that Lab document control and record keeping is up to date.
• Training of Laboratory staff on methods and procedures
• Analysis of incoming raw materials
• Analysis of intermediate products
• Analysis of final and shelf-life products according to product test checklist
• Mayonnaise analysis (pH, Acidity, Salt, viscosity)
• Factory Swabs (Hygiene)
• Prepare samples for external testing.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• File and maintain GMP records and housekeeping.

Supplier Quality assurance Intern - Chipkins Puratos

(2019-04 - 2020-03)

Supplier quality assurance including evaluation, audits, and corrective actions

• Liaise with supplier to obtain specification, Food Safety Accreditation, Kosher and Halaal Certification.
• Evaluating suppliers by reviewing supplier questionnaires annually.
• Update all TDS and load onto to SharePoint and regularly maintain.
• Go through the BRC regulation and Food safety Management.
• Carry Out Internal Audits of Food safety Standards.
• Implementing Corrective Action Report
• Review COA's/ COC's as compared to the specification and liaise with suppliers.
• Perform other task as assigned by the Manager.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Chemical Analysis of Sauces (pH, salt, brix, & viscosity)
• Conduct sensory analysis.

Research & Development Trainee (WIL) - International Flavor & Fragrances (IFF)

(2016-06 - 2017-06)

R&D work including flavor compounding and product development

• Compounding sweet flavours, Savory flavours, and Emulsion
• Raw Materials Training, smelling, and tasting.
• Sprinkle Application of seasoning blend on fried snacks and slurry application of seasoning blend on extruded snacks.
• Creation and application fermented dairy products and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Sampling and Shipping Flavours
• pH, Acidity, Density and Brix determination, putting up samples.
• Developing and Matching cider/drinks

Advanced Diploma - Quality - University of Johannesburg (2022)

B-Tech - Food Technology - University of Johannesburg (2018)

National Diploma - Food Technology - University of Johannesburg (2017)

National senior certificate / Matric Grade 12 - Reasoma Secondary school (2013)