Location: Mossel Bay
Company: Nestlé
Qualification:  Degree in Food technology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Industrial chemistry

Experience: 2 years’ experience in Quality and/or production

Closing date: 22 May 2025

 Position Summary

With a history spanning over 150 years, Nestlé didn’t become the world’s leading food and beverages brand by chance. Perfection is at the heart of what we do, and our people are always looking for the next big idea to cement our status. We are now looking for a Food Safety Specialist to be based in Mossel Bay Factory.

In this role you will be responsible to drive the Food Safety related activities in the factory, provide assistance in the implementation of Food safety requirements, carry out assessments to verify the efficiency of implementation and develop action plans for further improvement. Carry out training, motivate staff and drive the Continuous Improvement process in Food Safety Assurance.                                                                    

A day in the life of a Food Safety Specialist:

Leadership

• Consult Factory Supply Chain, Production, Engineering and QA in implementing and maintaining GMP pre-requisite program requirements” (GMP - PRP) and Food Safety level at site
• Develop and implement training materials for use at site for improving the Food Safety Awareness on shop-floor level and in the field.
• Coordinate the activities with the Pest control agency and ensure compliance of practices and continuous improvement.
• Preparation and follow up during the plant maintenance repair and upgrades. Define protocol to release line after maintenance activities and how to manage the area during these activities
• Audit and assess the level of implementation of the Food Safety Management System in factory through hygiene inspections and implementation of FSSC 22000.
• Knowledge of HACCP to execute on production line. Knowledge of verification and validation process of Foreign body controlling devices like Sieves, Magnets, Metal detectors and X-rays
• Drive the assessment, implementation and improvement of HACCP within the factory.
• Drive Food safety culture in factory.
• Management of the cleaning service and pest conterol service provider activities on site.
• Manage the activities of the Food safety team.
• Lead initiatives on foreign body prevention at site level.
• Ensure management of Food defense assessment and food fraud mitigation (VACCP and TACCP).
• Working with shopfloor to facilitate in Cleaning inspection process and help to manage proper tools for cleaning to manage validated cleaning routines
• SAP knowledge to manage the activities in SAP related to Allergen management and CCP/OPRP
• Allergen management and assessment across the value chain with proper protocols of handling and separating to avoid cross contamination
• Knowledge of dry cleaning to manage/train the team on dry cleaning process in production lines
• Knowledge of Production lines to help the production team in troubleshooting and implementation of zoning concept
• FSSC 22K knowledge to manage certification

Technical Assistance

• Assist Suppliers through SQA audits to improve Food safety systems.
• Advise Factory management on Food Safety Management issues.
• Drive compliance to hygiene permits and risk assessments for maintenance work in factory.
• Advise factory management on the implementation of Food safety requirements.
• Audit the canteen to ensure adherence to food safety standards.
• Support factory with Root cause analysis on all food safety related complaints / Deviations.
• Follow up on Food safety gaps from verification activities.
• Create visibility and awareness on all Key food safety focus areas.
• Evaluate together with the Competency Centre and Food Technologist the impact on Food Safety of all Critical Raw Materials.                            

People Development

• Train and develop Operators and Team leaders with respect to food safety.
• Train and develop Maintenance and engineering teams on hygienic design elements.
• Drive a culture of Food safety with shopfloor staff though coaching, training, awareness.                                  

What will make you successful?

• Degree in Food technology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Industrial Chemistry                                      
• Quality and/or Production experience min. 2 years.
• FSMS Audit experience, Lead auditor qualification advantageous
• Experience in implementing HACCP
• Knowledge of FS Standards (e.g. FSSC 22000) and Pre-requisite program requirements
• Understanding of SAP