Justice

Technical Manager with 5+ years of progressive experience across R&D, operations, quality, regulatory affairs, and food safety systems within FMCG and ingredient solution environments. Proven track record leading end-to-end product development from concept, sensory benchmarking, and lab validation through scale-up trials and full factory commercialisation. Strong expertise in risk assessments, cost optimisation, and ISO/FSSC 22000-aligned FSMS implementation.

Commercially driven with demonstrated success delivering high-margin innovations, reducing formulation costs, and improving process capability that supports scalable growth. Deep category expertise spans beverage powders, fortification premixes, sweetener blends, bakery Premixes and improvers, instant cereals, confectionery, and non-dairy functional solutions and stabiliser solutions

Technical Manager - Operations, Quality & R&D - Manics Group (Pty) Ltd - Johannesburg

(2024-04)

• Lead end-to-end product development and project execution, from concept and lab trials through to factory scale-up and commercial launch.
• Delivered 10+ new product launches and 8 reformulations in 2025, including powdered beverages/fortified premixes, contributing approximately 35% of the company's gross profit.
• Oversee regulatory affairs, claims substantiation, and specification compliance for customer requirements.
• Conduct formal risk assessments and change control processes for new raw materials, process changes, and reformulations.
• Drive sensory evaluation, benchmarking, and product optimisation initiatives to improve consumer acceptance and market fit.
• Drive ISO 22000 FSMS implementation, including gap analysis, SOP development, audits, and corrective action management.
• Lead cost optimisation initiatives, achieving up to 20% cost reduction through formulation improvements and supplier collaboration.
• Manage cross-functional teams across production, quality, and supply chain to ensure on-time delivery and execution excellence

Junior Food Technologist / Production Technologist - Manics Group (Pty) Ltd - Johannesburg

(2022-09 - 2024-04)

• Supported product development, factory trials, and process validation in a food manufacturing environment.
• Designed and conducted structured sensory tests to evaluate flavour, texture, sweetness balance, appearance, and overall product acceptance, translating findings into practical formulation improvements.
• Led production teams of up to 15 staff, achieving zero major quality incidents and a significant reduction in returns.
• Developed and implemented 50+ SOPs and quality documents, improving compliance and operational control.
• Conducted process monitoring, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to improve consistency and reduce deviations
• Coordinated Halaal, safety, regulatory, and municipal compliance requirements.

Food Technology Intern (Regulatory & Nutrition) - Tiger Brands - South Africa

(2021-04 - 2022-03)

• Ensured compliance of product labelling and artwork with food regulations (R146 and related standards).
• Evaluated nutritional information and product specifications for new and existing products.
• Supported the development of regulatory tools and nutrient profiling systems.
• Assisted in product research, costing, and technical documentation.

Quality Technician - Cavalier Foods (Pty) Ltd - South Africa

(2020-11 - 2021-03)

• Supported quality management systems, audits, and hygiene verification processes.
• Conducted microbiological and allergen swabbing for laboratory testing.
• Maintained quality documentation and supported compliance activities.

Diploma - Operations Management - UNISA (2024)

BSc - Food Science & Technology - University of Venda (2015 - 2020)