Food Safety Assistant

Our client, a food distribution facility based in Montague Gardens is looking for a Food Safety Assistant to join their growing team. The ideal candidate will assist the Group Food Safety and Quality Manager with the day-to-day requirements of the Food Safety and Quality management department.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Food safety

• Assist the Group Food Safety and Quality Manager in the day-to-day maintenance of all the documented Food Safety PRP`s, OPRP`s, SOP`s, GMP`s and procedures.
• Do walk through hygiene inspections of the plant premises and report food safety non-conformances to relevant managers and supervisors. 
• Ensure that all food safety records are completed once weekly, verified, and report non-conformances to department and or section managers and supervisors.
• Ensure that all food safety certificates, records and document are appropriately filed and displayed as prescribed.
• Control First-Aid boxes, order medical supplies and ensure that plaster register is up to date.
• Ensure the scheduling and sampling plus documentation of samples and swabs on products, personnel, contact surfaces and water for microbiological and or chemical testing.
• Ensure that all personnel are checked at least once daily for personal medical fitness and ensure that the records – Medical fitness are completed daily.
• Ensure that all personnel are checked at least once daily for correct personal hygiene practices, that non-conformances are recorded and to report non-conformances to relevant section managers and supervisors.
• Assist in the day-to-day execution of the PRP – Medical fitness and SOP`s on Pre-employment medical certification and Visitor and Contractor checks.
• Ensure the execution and maintaining of thermo-control monitoring, verification, and report on the status to Senior and Line Management.
• Ensure that patty forming machine, band saws and dicers are checked at least once daily for hard plastic and metal soiling and that records – Hard plastics and metals – are completed daily.
• Ensure that all knifes are checked for metal soiling / damage and ensure that record – Hard plastic and metals – Knifes are completed daily.
• Do vermin control own checks once weekly and complete record – Vermin inspections internal.
• Ensure that all ablution facilities are checked daily for availability of soap, toilet paper and hand towels or fully operational hand dryers and that the cleaner replenish containers where necessary plus complete records - Availability soap, toilet paper and towels.
• Ensure the execution and maintaining of the cleaning and sanitizing processes and report to Senior and Line Management.
• To ensure the structured removal of waste as well as condemned materials from the premises.
• To ensure the maintaining of the control program addressing the suitability as well as the storage and handling of all wrapping and packing materials.
• To ensure that all areas, machinery, vehicles, and equipment are maintained as per pre-determined schedule.
• Perform and assist with, formal and informal internal Food Safety training.
• Accept the role of Food Safety Team leader.
• Manage and organize the Food Safety team in day-to-day hygiene and food safety activities.
• Investigate all food safety incidents and request corrective actions.
• Maintain and update approved suppliers list.
• Assist in planning and executing of supplier audits.
• Assist in documented supplier surveys.
• Monitor supplier food safety non-conformances, analyse and report.
• To monitor and maintain control measures to ensure that no contamination of finished products occur from allergen cross contamination.
• Take corrective actions whenever non-fulfilment of a specified requirement occur and report such corrective actions to senior and line management.
• Assist with maintaining the traceability system.
• Conduct traceability and recall mock studies as scheduled.
• Assist with the scheduling and executing of internal food safety audits.
• Assist with the data analysis, scheduling and presenting of food safety management reviews.
• To monitor and maintain HACCP control measures to ensure that no contamination of products occur during receiving, storage, handling or packing.
• Ensure that all hygiene and quality certificates, records and document are appropriately filed and displayed as prescribed.
• Ensure that documents used are current and valid and that all relevant personnel are in possession of such documents.
• Update and revise all applicable documents whenever a process or procedure are changed.
• Analysis of and reporting on all relevant food safety monitoring results.
• Keep and document minutes in all food safety meetings.
• Assist in documented customer surveys.
• Liaise with suppliers, clients, and governmental agencies on job relevant issues.
• Assist with the induction process of all new employees.
• Update knowledge of HACCP, food safety, hygiene and scientific trends and relevant standards plus legislation on a regular basis.

Health and Safety

• Assist with the promotion of Occupational Health and Safety within the organization and develop safer and healthier ways of working.
• Assist in maintaining occupational health and safety systems, including policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Coordinate emergency procedures, firefighting and first aid.
• Ensure the inspection and testing of machinery and equipment to make sure they meet safety regulations and report to senior and line management.
• Supervise the investigation of accidents and unsafe work conditions, study possible causes and recommend remedial action.
• Assist with the rehabilitation of workers after actions.
• Assist in maintaining occupational health and safety systems, including policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Make sure that personal protective equipment is being used in the workplace according to regulations.
• Make sure that dangerous materials are stored correctly.
• Make sure that all personnel at the company are aware of and complies with all health and safety legislation in the use of its plant.
• Assist in the investigation of accidents and unsafe work conditions, study possible causes and recommend remedial action.
• Assist in the reporting process of Injury on Duty documentation.
• Conduct regular health and safety training sessions.
• Communicate with Senior and line management on the status of the health and safety program.

Quality Management

• Assist with the implementation and maintaining quality policies and procedures
• Facilitate and assist in quality meetings.
• Assist with the control and issue of all documentation, work instructions, records, forms, and reports relating to the quality management processes.
• Assist in and verify new product development processes.
• Ensure the monitoring of and record findings of product quality and report to senior and line management.
• Ensure the monitoring of product conformity, visually and sensory on a continuous basis and report to senior and line management.
• Ensure the training of quality management personnel.
• Ensure continuous induction, development and management training on quality management procedures and policies.
• Ensure effective communication of quality policies and procedures, work instructions, standards, corrective actions, and audit reports to all staff members.
• The handling and resolving of customer complaints on quality and reporting to senior and line management.
• Assist with the review customer satisfaction with annual customer surveys.
• Assist with the measurement and analyses of the quality management system through internal and external audits.
• Facilitate and assist in quality management review meetings.
• Ensure effective communication of best practices, quality policies and procedures, technical information, work instructions, standards, corrective actions, and audit reports to all staff members.

Export assistance

• Assist management in the planning of export orders.
• Keeping of export stock level statistics.
• Organize and document the movement of export products.
• Ensure that all export products conform to the client’s product specifications.
• Source lot numbers for all export products.
• Ensure that correct labels are printed for all export products.
• Ensure that all export boxes are strapped, pallet-packed and marked correctly.
• Ensure that all export products are weight correctly.
• Ensure that the packing list for all export orders are completed and distributed.
• Ensure the correct filing of all export documentation.
• Assist with the loading of products into trucks and containers.
• Apply for and organize applicable Veterinary health documentation.
• Reporting any export related issues to relevant managers.

 
REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• National Diploma / Degree in Food Technology / Quality Management
• Thorough knowledge of FSSC 22000, HACCP and ISO9001.
• Thorough knowledge of Statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Audit and or internal audit qualification. Computer literate (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and MS Outlook). Own transportation (Code 8 Licence).
• Able to work under pressure.
• Have a positive energetic attitude and enjoy an ever-changing environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Professional, enthusiastic, hardworking, well-organized, and able to prioritize.
• Strong leadership capabilities. excellent verbal, written, administration and interpersonal skills.
• An assertive, team –spirited, pro-active, and hands-on approach.

SALARY

R19500 per month

Please use the following reference number in the subject line of your email CR531 when applying for this position. Please submit your CV in Word Format, salary expectation and availability to   Kindly consider your application unsuccessful should you not receive feedback within 1 week.