ENVIRONMENT: A leading national Supply Chain seeks the expertise of a Quality Assurance Manager to design, develop and deliver robust QA frameworks, processes, and guidelines for its Meat Plants division. You will be responsible for sustaining, optimizing, and ensuring that all aspects of the Meat Plants are aligned to the requisite QA and food safety standards while being instrumental in maintaining and continuously improving the QA System (QMS) in alignment with the statutory food safety procedures. The Quality Assurance Manager position is an end-to-end production role, as it is responsible for the traceability of all raw materials through to the end product, to ensure high product quality in the groups’ retail outlets and deliver on customer satisfaction. You will require Matric/Grade 12, a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science/Food Technology or similar field with 4+ years’ work experience in a Quality Assurance Management capacity within a Meat Plants, Fresh Meat Produce, or similar, managing the design, development and delivery of quality assurance frameworks, policies, procedures, and guidelines. You will also need solid experience of statutory requirements, applying and monitoring relevant laws, regulations and best practices in relation to customers and FMCG: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) & ISO standards, specifically FSSC22000.   DUTIES: Manufacturing – Design and develop the Quality Assurance Program / System by implementing the food safety requirements within Meat Markets. Maintain and continuously improve the Quality Assurance System. Manage and investigate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. Devise risk assessments in alignment with the principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), for legal compliance with food safety procedures and Plant ZA Export Certification accreditation maintenance. Monitor production control functions to ensure that standard operating procedures are adhered to. Work with the Purchasing Department in resolving raw material quality problems and setting raw material specifications with suppliers. Oversee the quality control aspects of raw materials and finished products. Assist in setting quality standards to ensure that production is maintained at such standards. Review and report on principle causes of quality loss and non-conformance. Drive and report on internal and external audits to upper management. Understand the product channels and markets relevant to the business. Recommend and champion new technologies and best practices which support strategic objectives. Safeguard facility and product compliance. Train current and new staff on quality, hygiene, food safety processes and procedures. Evaluate product recalls. Continuously review and assess training needs of staff, collaborating with learning and development in formulating training needs assessments and delivering relevant training as required. Maintain effective communication lines with regulatory and governing bodies. Evaluate compliance-related matters related to packaging and labelling. Advise on product safety and composition requirements. Research and stay abreast with new or updated regulations, laws, standards and other official enactments that may be applicable to the meat plants. Establish Service Level Agreements for external service providers and maintain contractual agreements. Monitor Risk Management controls. Provide guidance on microbiological controls within the Meat Plants. Manage all internal and external laboratory processes to ensure product quality and consistency. Source, service and calibrate instruments and equipment for quality control. Ensure appropriate disposition of returned materials and respond with corrective actions to customer complaints.   REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications – Grade 12 / Matric. Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related field.   Experience/Skills – 4+ Years’ work experience in a Quality Assurance Management capacity within a Meat Plants, Fresh Meat Produce, or similar, managing the design, development and delivery of quality assurance frameworks, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Solid understanding of end-to-end meat production operations from animal arrival, processing, packaging and distribution. Solid experience of statutory requirements, applying and monitoring relevant laws, regulations and best practices in relation to customers and FMCG: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). ISO standards, specifically FSSC22000. Proficiency in MS Office 365 with strong Excel skills and reporting capability. Solid understanding of end-to-end meat production operations from animal arrival, processing, packaging and distribution. Strong quality focus – Applies sound knowledge of the principles, methods and tools of quality assurance used to ensure that a project, process, or system fulfils business requirements and standards.   ATTRIBUTES: Strong technical awareness and data management skills – Has a sound grasp of database and reporting design concepts and manages data as a valuable resource to unlock its potential for the organisation. Analytical thinker and quick learner – Readily comprehend new and relatively complex concepts and information, investigates courses of action to identify the most appropriate solution or develop alternative solutions. Confident with good personal influence to gain business area respect, influence decisions and gain commitments. Handles and negotiates conflict / challenges well and understands how to drive a high level of focus during times of change. Communication skills – Speaks clearly, audibly and at an appropriate pace and provides credible points of an argument in own area of expertise. Writes clearly and succinctly, using correct spelling and grammar; and provides simple points in a straightforward and factual manner. Planning and organising – Plans and organises own work effectively while supporting and directing the work of others. Delivers on promises, keeps track of progress against deadlines and ensures tasks are completed on time. Focuses efforts on achieving results aligned to organisational objectives. Ability to work under pressure, manage varying priorities and navigate periods of high demand in a fast-paced environment, balancing workload and delivering within tight deadlines. Collaborative partnering – Builds meaningful and sound relationships both internally and externally. Open, honest and direct and comfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback. Thinks and acts both independently as well as collaboratively. Governance and ethical behaviour – Applies applicable Governance Policies, Code of Conduct and ethical behaviour. Addresses non-compliance and implements suitable corrections.