Manager: FSQA

Role Purpose

 The Senior Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for leading the FSQA function and ensuring that all Lucky Star products meet required food safety and quality standards.

 Key focus areas include overseeing Lucky Star's Quality Management Program whilst working in close liaison with the Facility Managers, Operational and Food Safety Teams to achieve the highest food safety standards and industry leading quality.

 Build strong relationships with relevant industry stakeholders and ensure necessary regulatory compliance in all territories where Lucky Star products are produced and sold.

This role reports to the Head:FSQA and will be expected to liasie with the Operations, Techincal, Planrt and QA manager.

Key Responsibilities

FSQA Strategy

 The incumbent will lead the Lucky Star Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) function.

 Provide technical input into the FSQA strategy.

 Accountable for the implementation of the FSQA strategy and positively influence all contributing aspects of the supply chain to optimise quality and food safety.

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Compliance

 Ensure that all Lucky Star products sold locally and internationally meet required food safety and quality standards and comply with the relevant regulatory requirements.

 Lead implementation of Quality Management Programme (QMP) and ensure that Lucky Star is at the leading edge of Food Safety and Quality.

 Thorough knowledge and understanding of the Import and Food Regulations for our key markets and ensure compliance.

 Ensure that only vetted suppliers produce Lucky Star products and comply with Lucky Star food safety and quality standards.

 Conduct supplier audits using Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards for all food products, ingredients, additives, direct and indirect packaging utilized by Lucky Star.

 Raw material sourcing and approval: ensuring that production and suppliers' source from approved raw material suppliers, and that specifications and allergen management practices are in place.

 Lead factory and product process audits in own and outsourced production facilities.

 Oversee the implementation of QMP and HACCP programs at own and outsourced supplier production facilities.

 Identify and manage critical control points (CCPs) within production facilities and ensuring that suppliers identify and manage their CCPs correctly.

 Working closely with the facility managers to ensure we have true verifiable support for Food Safety & Quality and buy in from all staff. Including measurable documented proof of support.

 Oversee finished product quality inspections and microbiological testing. Specify type of tests, frequency, and accept/reject criteria for both product and environment.

 Cold Storage and Distribution auditing to ensure we have verifiable confidence in the "Chain of Quality" from Harvest to Plate.

 Participate in and provide support and direction on all food safety, quality, opportunities, and initiatives.

 Keep abreast of emerging risk in the food-manufacturing sector to ensure we are proactively prepared.

Representation on Industry and Regulatory Forums

 Serve on relevant industry forum eg. South African Pelagic Fishing Industry Association (SAPFIA) and other Canned Foods industry bodies as required.

 Serve as the primary interface between Lucky Star and the NRCS for Food Safety and Quality related matters.

 Serve on the SANS TC 0234 representing Lucky Star.

 Maintain positive stakeholder relationships through active liaison and engagement.

Consumer Complaints and Customer Care

 Assume overall responsibility for the Customer Care and Product Recall Processes.

 Troubleshoot customer complaints and perform route cause analyses.

 Ensure corrective actions are put in place to prevent recurrence and potential brand damage.

 Manage Customer Complaint Program from a QA/QC perspective to ensure an accurate prompt response and to compile trend analysis to support our success.

 Ensure thorough knowledge and understanding of the Lucky Star Product Recall Policy and ensure compliance at production facilities to minimize potential recall incidents.

New Product Development

 Contribute towards the product category strategy, ensuring innovative and safe products of consistent quality are always produced.

 Provide technical input into the development and launch of new canned food products.

 Formulating and/or managing product specifications, ensuring accuracy.

 Ensure effective new product accept/reject criteria.

 Ensure accurate nutritional information and date marking/coding on finished product labelling.

 Oversee product shelf-life assessments and implementation.

Leading Team

 Lead and Drive a Culture of Quality throughout the Lucky Star team. Provide support, direction and training to QA / QC staff, production supervisors and employees as required.

 Provide support and training for senior staff, sales teams, shareholders, and customers to ensure a thorough understanding of our policies and protocols that make us a proven leader in the delivery of the safest, highest quality canned fish and canned food products.

 Conduct on-going QA/QC team evaluation to ensure we are effective in our approach. Assessment and review, mentoring and training to close any gaps in our existing or new programs.

 Actively participate in meetings and fully support the Food Safety Team

Cost Management

 Manage FSQA related costs.

 Drive ongoing cost savings and process improvement opportunities

This job description may be amended at any time to address emerging risk to our food safety and quality assurance program.

Knowledge, Skills And Attributes

 Knowledge of packaging functionality and application.

 Understanding of environmental management and sustainability.

 Flexible, with an ability and willingness to travel.

 Knowledge of technical processes and principles, i.e. HACCP, GMP, root cause analysis, supply chain, raw materials, allergen management, and micro management.

 Understanding of high and low-risk food processing and the correct management of cross flow.

 Understanding of cold chain management and critical control factors for maintaining food products in their optimum state.

 Technical product knowledge, i.e. product characteristics, raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes, and quality and safety parameters.

 Fluent in Afrikaans of English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 Excellent computer skills in all facets of use as a technical tool.

 Good leadership skills

 Good communication and interpersonal skills

 Ability to influence

 Accurate and analytical

 Ability to work under pressure

Qualifications And Experience

 BSc Food Science or BTech Food Technology degree with 10 - 15 years' industry experience.

 FMCG experience

 Practical experience in and understanding of different food preparation stages and processes.

 Proven, relevant industry experience and knowledge across a wide range of food products.

Essential Behavioral Competencies

 Decision Making and Judgement

 Good business acumen

 Ability to build relationships

 Attention to detail

 Good planning and organizational skills

 Good verbal & written communication skills

 Resilient with high stress tolerance

 Assertiveness