Quality Assurance Microbiology Officer

A multinational food processing and agricultural company is looking for a Microbiology Officer (Quality)

The Microbiology Officer (Quality) is responsible for coordinating and evaluating microbiological testing programmes to ensure that all raw materials, in-process products, finished products, water, environmental samples and food contact surfaces comply with company, customer and legislative microbiological standards.

The incumbent interprets microbiological laboratory results, determines product compliance against established specifications and legal limits, assesses food safety risks, and makes recommendations regarding product release, product hold or product disposal. The role supports the Company's Food Safety Management System in accordance with HACCP, ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 requirements.

• Coordinate routine microbiological sampling and testing.
• Ensure samples are collected, labelled and submitted in accordance with approved procedures.
• Monitor testing schedules for raw materials, finished products, environmental swabs, water and air samples.
• Liaise with accredited external laboratories where applicable.

• Review and interpret microbiological laboratory reports.
• Compare results against:
• Internal product specifications.
• Customer specifications.
• South African food legislation.
• HACCP critical limits.
• ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 requirements.
• Assess microbiological trends and identify potential food safety risks.
• Determine whether products comply with microbiological acceptance criteria.
• Escalate non-conforming results to the Quality Assurance Manager.

• Assess microbiological test results to determine whether products are:
• Safe for release.
• Suitable for rework where permitted.
• Required to remain on hold pending investigation.
• Unsafe for human consumption and requiring rejection or destruction.
• Participate in risk assessments relating to product safety.
• Recommend product disposition based on scientific evidence and company procedures.

Note:

Final product release or destruction authority rests with the designated Quality Manager or Responsible Person in accordance with company procedures.

• Investigate microbiological failures and food safety incidents.
• Conduct root cause analyses.
• Coordinate corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Verify effectiveness of implemented actions.

• Coordinate environmental monitoring programmes.
• Review results from:
• Food contact surfaces.
• Non-food contact surfaces.
• Personnel hygiene monitoring.
• Air quality monitoring.
• Water quality testing.
• Identify trends and recommend corrective actions.

• Support implementation and maintenance of HACCP plans.
• Participate in HACCP team meetings.
• Review microbiological hazards within hazard analyses.
• Assist with validation and verification activities.
• Support compliance with ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000.

• Prepare microbiological records for:
• FSSC 22000 audits.
• ISO 22000 audits.
• Customer audits.
• Regulatory inspections.
• Respond to microbiology-related audit findings.

• Analyse microbiological data for recurring issues.
• Identify emerging contamination risks.
• Prepare monthly microbiological trend reports.
• Recommend preventive improvements.

• Coordinate with accredited laboratories.
• Verify testing methodologies.
• Ensure turnaround times are achieved.
• Review Certificates of Analysis.

Maintain records relating to:

• Laboratory reports.
• Product testing.
• Environmental monitoring.
• Water testing.
• Trend analyses.
• CAPAs.
• Verification activities.
• Product holds and releases.

• Microbiological compliance rate.
• Turnaround time for microbiological result review.
• Closure of microbiological CAPAs.
• Environmental monitoring compliance.
• Number of repeat microbiological failures.
• Audit compliance.
• Product release accuracy.
• Trend reporting completion.

• Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in:
• Microbiology
• Food Science
• Food Technology
• Biotechnology
• Biochemistry
• or a related life science discipline.

• Minimum 3 years'…