Food Quality Assurance Technician/New Product Development Technician/Team Leader - QK Meats SA (PTY)
(2008-11 - 2009-12)
Appointed and served as a food Quality Assurance Technician/New Product Development Technician /later promoted to be a Team leader during my internship
- Oversaw the planning and organization of QA operations.
- Managed monthly hygiene reports, weekly microbial summary reports, GMP training documentation, and implemented new record sheets and guidelines for new products.
- Prepared media and samples, calibrated equipment, conducted microbial testing, and collected meat and water samples aseptically.
- Performed on-line product quality and food safety checks (CCP monitoring), ensured products met customer specifications, verified sell-by dates and pricing, and conducted daily scale calibrations.
- Conducted GMP training and facilitated the company induction program for new employees.
- Provided QMS training for team leaders and production supervisors.
- Managed weekly and daily staffing, focusing on overall time management.
- Conducted monthly audits for vermin control and management.
- Handled product recalls and ensured traceability for both internal and external products.
- Investigated customer complaints to resolve issues.
- Ensured the safety of finished products.
- Assisted with trials and launches of meat-related products.
- Supported the implementation of HACCP protocols.
- Led allergen awareness programs.
Food Technologist/QA Supervisor/Acting Assistant QA Manager - Karan Beef
(2009-12 - 2012-05)
Appointed and served as a Food Technologist /QA supervisor/Acting Assistant QA manager
- Supervised and managed Quality Controllers across various shift operations.
- Conducted annual reviews of HACCP manuals and studied ISO 22000, SOPs, policies, and work instructions.
- Participated in daily management meetings, summarizing company throughput and reporting on food safety risk assessments.
- Carried out quarterly internal hygiene assessments, QMS evaluations, and external Supplier Audits (SQA).
- Facilitated audits for customers, provincial and agricultural authorities, and national organizations (SABS-ISO22000, HACCP, EFSIS, VPH).
- Addressed external customer complaints and resolved Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs).
- Oversaw and verified all QC process checks and sanitation assessments related to food safety and hygiene.
- Managed vermin control through weekly audits.
- Compiled monthly trend reports on microbial and pathogenic testing.
- Prepared monthly verification reports for products analysed for chemical, microbial, and physicochemical properties through external SANAS-accredited laboratories.
- Generated monthly equipment calibration reports.
- Implemented HACCP protocols at an additional site.
- Trained HACCP monitors on the validation and verification of Critical Control Points (CCPs), including quarterly audits.
- Led the internal microbial laboratory and managed its budget.
- Conducted daily sensory evaluations of finished products.
- Evaluated pre-production cleaning contractors on a daily basis.
QA Manager - AFGRI Poultry - Delmas abattoir (2012-2014) and Sundra abattoir (2014-2015)
(2012-05 - 2015-12)
I was appointed as QA Manager at AFGRI Poultry, initially at the Delmas abattoir from May 2012 to December 2014, and then at the Sundra abattoir from December 2014 to December 2015. As QA Manager at AFGRI Poultry, I led initiatives in food safety and quality management across multiple abattoirs, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as ISO 22000 and FSSC. I was responsible for overseeing the food defence program, managing customer complaints, and participating in various audits.
My role involved collaborating with teams to enhance manufacturing processes and maintain high safety standards. I also focused on training staff, evaluating product quality, and ensuring adherence to animal welfare regulations, while effectively reporting performance trends to management.
- Served as the food safety and quality coordinator, allergen management team leader, food defence coordinator, and OHSAS team member.
- Managed manufacturing processes, including shift planning and service level agreements.
- Maintained food safety and quality systems (ISO 22000, FSSC).
- Conducted annual reviews of the food safety and quality systems (ISO 22000, FSSC).
- Planned and conducted internal audits.
- Acted as auditee for site supplier audits, system audits, and third-party audits.
- Managed product and process non-conformities, including issuing and closing non-conformance reports.
- Handled customer and service provider complaints, including investigations, resolutions, and feedback.
- Managed the food defence program.
- Participated in daily management meetings, summarizing company throughput and reporting on food safety deviations, micro and chemical analysis, customer complaints, and maintenance activities.
- Reviewed plant pre-production and sanitation pre-operational inspection reports daily and followed up on corrective actions for any noted deviations.
- Conducted performance reviews and appraisals, applying discipline according to the disciplinary code.
- Managed customer final product specifications.
- Oversaw the implementation and maintenance of the Workplace Improvement Plan for the FS Training department.
- Maintained and audited external services rendered, including pest control and sanitation.
- Ensured adherence to customer-specified KPIs, liaised with customers regarding non-compliance, and submitted monthly reports.
- Managed non-conformances, customer complaints, variance to specification reports, alternative minimum standards requests, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), Certificates of Conformance (COCs)
