Compliance Manager at Cultura Fresh
Cultura Fresh grows, harvest and process a variety of assorted salad leaves for Major Food Franchisees e.g. Mc Donald, Kentucky, Nando's, Burger King, including Major retailers e.g. Freshmark (Shoprite / Checkers), Spar, Food Lovers and Pick n Pay.
The Compliance
Manager ensures that all food production, handling, packaging, and distribution activities comply with the required food safety and regulatory standards.
The Compliance
Manager will also be responsible for ensuring the workplace complies with all Health and Safety Regulations. This Role plays a critical part in maintaining certifications, managing audits, and implementing regulatory changes to reduce risk and support the company's commitment to food safety.
- Monitor, interpret and ensure compliance to systems: SMETA, Global G.A.P, FSSC 22 000 and other customer policies, through assistance, delegation and keeping others accountable.
- Ensure that the Food Safety Management system is maintained and all necessary aspects thereof are executed as stated and planned.
- Maintain and update compliance policies, SOP's and documentation in line with evolving regulations.
- Book audits and lead internal and external audits and inspections.
- Coordinate corrective and preventative plans.
- Conduct routine safety inspections and audits of the workplace, equipment and procedures.
- Identify hazards, assess risks, and implement appropriate control measures.
- Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, prepare reports and recommend corrective actions.
- Develop and enforce emergency response procedures and safety protocols.
- Maintain and update safety documentation, including policies, incident logs, and training records.
- Liaise with regulatory bodies, and external auditors when necessary.
- Continuous training of employees on all standards and health and safety.
- Stay updated on industry trends, regulatory updates, and potential risks to the business.
- Pest Control annual and refresher training.
- Chemical training.
- Personal Hygiene training.
- Enforce the Disciplinary Code.
- Ensure correct PPE.
- Ensure that all microbial, Listeria, water and product residue tests are done as per agreed schedule.
- Conduct a sample schedule for testing.
- Heavy metal testing must be done annually.
- Attend weekly Management meetings with the necessary follow up meetings where necessary.
- Drive continuous improvement.
- Conduct root cause analysis and give feedback to Management on customer complaints.
- All other relevant administration.
- Review customer standards annually and ensure compliance.
- Be able to access and keeping abreast customer portals and manage the portals e.g. Mc Donalds, Yum – Kentucky, Nando's, Burger King and Digistics.
- Reporting quarterly goals to Top Management of quality goals and objectives.
- Trending customer complaints, microbiological results, non – conformances and provide guidance.
- Assisting with investigations of non – conformances.
- Verifying corrective actions raised and ensure execution of the action.
- Remain up to date with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and communicate them to employees and Top Management.
- Be the main contact with customers.
- Ensure the micro testing is conducted with sampling plan.
- Assisting Food Safety Team leader where necessary with the maintenance of the Food Safety Management system.
- Through platforms, management review and verbal communication, updated Top Management with the status of the Food Safety Management system.
- Collaborate with Quality Control, production, and distribution to ensure seamless integration of compliance across operations.
Technical Operations Manager at Deli-Co Meat Wholesalers Pty Ltd (2024-08 – 2025-03)
Quality Manager / Technical Manager in charge of Quality Department with extensive experience in maintaining and improving Quality Management Systems (QMS) in the meat industry.
- Oversight of QMS for Abattoir, De-boning Plant, and Meat Packaging facilities, ensuring compliance with industry standards including FSSC 22000 Version 6.0, ISO 22000, SANS 10330, R638, SANS 10049.
- Proper handling procedures for poultry rework into final product include controlled cooling periods, blast freezing, and hygienic packing with accurate labelling.
- Full traceability and tracking through correct use of batch numbers, so that any defective product can be traced back quickly and efficiently, ensuring food safety and confirming the product is fit for human consumption.
- Ensured compliance with Halaal standards and liaised with certified Halaal authorities for inspections and audits to maintain certification and trust in religious compliance.
- Maintained Plant ZA export certification and accreditations, supporting global market readiness.
- Ensured compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP principles, and food safety requirements across the entire facility.
- Led and prepared for all internal and external audits with full regulatory and customer compliance.
- Implemented traceability systems for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods to uphold safety and accountability.
- Developed and enforced hygiene policies and cleaning schedules to maintain a compliant and food-safe environment.
- Oversaw pest control service providers to ensure full compliance with safety and hygiene standards.
- Managed supplier approval, raw material quality control, and regular evaluations to ensure incoming product compliance.
- Analyzed customer complaints and implemented continuous improvement strategies to enhance product quality.
- Directed microbiological testing and sanitation programs to prevent contamination and allergen exposure.
- Trained QMS personnel in GMP, HACCP, food defense, hygiene protocols, and halaal monitoring requirements.
- Acted as liaison with veterinary services and Department of Agriculture, ensuring compliance with the Red Meat Safety Act and related legislation.
- Facilitated HAS audits and led VACCP and TACCP risk management initiatives for food defense and vulnerability mitigation.
- Supervised and mentored Quality Controllers, sanitation staff, and cleaning teams ensuring full adherence to safety and quality standards.
- Worked with NPD team to develop product specifications, ensuring all new product development aligns with regulatory and quality expectations.
- Conducted routine Halaal monitoring checks, ensuring segregation, hygiene, sourcing and documentation aligned with Halaal principles and certification.
Quality & Operations Manager at Dough-re-mi Bakery (2023-05 – 2024-08)
- Oversaw all food safety, documentation, internal and external audits (Intertek).
- Managed pest control, hygiene audits, disciplinary processes, and training.
- Maintained stock control and led new product development quality checks.
Quality Assurance Manager at Steynsburg Pork Abattoir (2022-05 – 2023-03)
- Implemented GMP, internal audits, Department of Agriculture inspections.
- Led HACCP training, team meetings, and corrective action planning.
Hygiene & Food Safety Manager at Free State Meat Wholesalers (2020 – 2022)
- Implement QMS system to work towards Intertek FSA Certification.
- Maintained hygiene documentation and production cleanliness.
- Administrative duties: Bio – time face recognition Software. Wage hours reconciliation converted to VIP Sage Payroll system.
- Sage Evolution: Creditors statement reconciliation and Invoice capturing.
