Quality and New Product Development Manager

Job Title: Quality and New Product Development Manager

Our leading National FMCG client based in Gauteng is looking for a Head of Product Development and Quality.

Overall Purpose of the Job:

Responsible for creating and enforcing the quality standards, procedures and policies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal quality guidelines. To lead and develop new products from concept to commercialisation, working closely with cross-functional teams to drive innovation, meet consumer needs and ensure the successful launch of products in the market.

Education (Formal Qualification Required):

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science / Technology, Engineering, or Biotechnology
• Lead Auditor certificate
• Six Sigma Quality Control Certification
• ISO 9001
• ISO 31000

Ideal:

• Quality/Food Safety management training and exams
• Marketing Management qualification or training
• Masters in Business Administration or similar

Legal Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license
• ISO 9001 Certification
• ISO 31000 Certification
• ISO 22000 Certification
• ISO 14001 Certification
• BRC Implementation Certification

Experience:

• Overseeing the implementation of audit and quality management systems 8 years +
• Managing Managers and people 5 years
• New Product Development and Quality Management experience in FMCG 8 years +
• Knowledge of an integrated food processing environment 5 years
• Familiar with quality management systems and certification: ISO, HACCP, BRC/EFSIS/IFS 5 years +
• Ability to lead a team in alignment with the Company core values and leadership behaviors. 5 years

Ideal (Years):

• 5 years working experience in Quality and health and safety in a manufacturing/FMCG environment as a Section 16(2) appointee or similar with a leadership role in quality control and quality assurance working with SABS 9001/22000
• Management experience in Quality and Product Development/ Marketing
• Advanced Computer Proficiency – 5 years’ experience working with MS Office (Word, Excel, PP, MS Project)
• Advanced ERP systems knowledge
• Experience in a managerial role

1. Position Description

New Product Development and Quality Management:

• Manage the site QA team ensuring all products produced at the site plant are meeting Client and Corporate standards as well as legal and customer requirements.
• Appropriate QA and testing for incoming materials, material in process and finished goods.
• Management of GMP, hygiene and food safety.
• The management of non-conformance.
• Development and close out of corrective action plans.
• Problem solving, troubleshooting.
• Move to complaint handling and resolution section.
• Site responsibility for the QMS ensuring the organization of internal quality and food safety audits and hosting external customer audits.
• Assists in site implementation of policies set by Technical EMEA and Corporate QA.
• Ongoing management of the Quality and Food Safety Systems at the Condiments facility.
• Ensures Quality Management Updates are implemented.
• Manage the development, implementation and certification of Quality and Food Safety Systems at the Condiments Facility.
• Ensure the Quality functions of the facility are aligned with global Client strategy and implement World Class practices.
• Ensure customer quality requirements are achieved.
• Report Quality performance trends to the Management team including major issues which could affect business performance.
• Development of Quality personnel through coaching, training and effective motivation.
• Establish quality standards and specifications for new products, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal quality guidelines.
• Conduct product testing, sensory evaluations, and validation studies to ensure product safety, efficacy, and quality.
• Implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives to address any quality issues or deviations.
• Manages products life cycle, lead the ideation, conceptualization, and development of new products aligned with market trends, consumer preferences, and business objectives.
• Conduct market research, consumer insights analysis, and competitive analysis to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Develop product briefs, specifications, and project timelines to guide the development process.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure seamless execution of product.

Compliance and technical assistance:

• Implement, maintain and continuously improve the Client supplier technical and manufacturing compliance system.
• Sets clear standards for Client operating and manufacturing systems both internally as well as at Supplier level and monitors their performance.
• Provides technical assistance for all internal manufacturing and operational as well as supplier issues.
• Participates in problem solving relating to technical aspects across the internal manufacturing and raw material supply chain.
• Conduct RCA and implement corrective actions.
• Identifies supplier weaknesses, recommends corrective actions, and monitors implementation and maintenance thereof.
• Keeps current with standard requirements and legislation changes both locally and in the markets, Client operates in. Maintain an up-to-date legal register.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of excellence with BRC are always achieved.
• Management of all internal and external Audits.
• Ensure Internal Hygiene and Safety.
• Management Rep for HACCP and ISO.
• Checks all supplier audits together with quality department of identified suppliers when required.
• Monitors suppliers to verify they produce/deliver and maintain product specifications.
• Implements programs, including risk management that effectively monitor product and supplier performance in a way that results in Client compliance with regulatory and product specifications, relating to food safety, quality, (where applicable) to protect Client consumers and the Client brand.
• Reports on supplier KPI’s relating to quality and compliance relating to food safety, quality and manufacturing compliance.
• Participate in decisions relating to product recalls/withdrawals by providing technical expertise.
• Process control audits to identify improvements and risks.
• HACCP/VACCP and TACCP Risk Assessments.

Complaint handling and resolution:

• Collaborates with QA on all consumer complaints from in-country summaries, with specific regard to product complaints.
• Participates with QA in all investigations, reports and closing out customer complaints within the agreed timeframes.
• Implements continuous improvement to existing practices and new ways of working.
• Manages food safety and product quality problems together with QA team relating to consumer complaints, when required.
• Ensures NCR’s are investigated and closed timeously.
• Lead investigations into complaints. Track and trend complaints.

People Management:

• Establish developmental plans for all direct reports, train to ensure effective temporary backup personnel and effective succession plans are in place.
• Guide, coach and support staff on the KPI and Development plan.
• Manage conflict and encourage a harmonious working environment.
• Food safety and quality awareness champion.
• Maintain and up to date skills matrix for quality and technical team.

Reporting:

• Manages technical data on all R&D projects (where applicable).
• Interprets laboratory reports and specifications and QC results from manufacturing.
• Checks on all and updates or maximizes efficiency of all process control, manufacturing procedures all documents required in a timely and accurate manner.
• Monitors from time-to-time supplier performance documentation, technical specifications, QAS, and formulations.
• Manages packaging department to ensure all existing packaging is performing to its maximum and ensures any new developments are managed timeously by the current packaging team.
• Ensure all non-conformances are timeously managed and corrected to avoid any potential financial loss to the company.
• Participate in management review meetings.
• Quality dashboard reporting, including trending.
• NCR meetings and reports presentation.

Knowledge:

• Implementation and maintenance of quality/Food Safety.
• Qualified in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000.
• Integrated Management Systems.
• Quality Standards and processes.
• ERP systems knowledge.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office.
• Product life knowledge.
• Technical knowledge.
• Marketing.

Skills:

• Ability to Research.
• Training and development.
• Analytical and critical thinking.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Report writing and Presentation skills.
• Strategic thinking.

Behavioral Attributes:

• Integrity.
• Coaching and Mentoring.
• Agility.
• Goal-oriented.

Direct Subordinates: Product Development Manager, Packaging Manager, Senior QA Technologist, Food Safety & Quality Systems, Supplier Quality & Regulatory.

3. Special Requirements

Master’s degree in economics, business management, engineering, industrial science or quality planning.