Junior Production Food Technologist

Junior Production Food Technologist

Babylonstoren is looking for a practical, detail-oriented Junior Production Food Technologist to support our daily manufacturing operations and help ensure that all products are consistently produced in accordance with approved quality, food-safety and legal requirements.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Production, Quality, Maintenance and Product Development teams to optimise processes, resolve production challenges and maintain the highest product standards. The candide will report directly to the Quality Manager.

Key responsibilities:

• Monitor production processes, product quality and compliance with approved specifications.
• Verify that production documentation, traceability records and end-of-shift checks are completed accurately.
• Conduct routine GMP, hygiene, food-safety and process inspections.
• Support process-control and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Investigate process deviations, product failures, customer complaints and non-conformances.
• Participate in root-cause investigations and ensure the effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Assist with the development, review and implementation of SOPs, work instructions and production records.
• Support HACCP studies, risk assessments, and internal and external audits.
• Monitor critical control points (CCPs), operational controls, temperatures, weights, yields and other critical production parameters.
• Assist with product trials, process validation, shelf-life studies and the implementation of new products.
• Verify cleaning, sanitation, allergen, foreign-body and cross-contamination controls.
• Analyse production and quality data to identify trends, recurring problems and opportunities for improvement.
• Train and coach production employees on processes, product specifications, hygiene and food-safety requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal departments when concerns relating to raw materials, packaging or equipment arise.
• Ensure that non-conforming products are correctly identified, isolated and managed in accordance with established procedures.

Minimum requirements:

• A National Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science or a related field.
• At least two to three years’ experience in a food-manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, food-safety management systems and South African food legislation.
• Experience in production documentation, traceability, investigations and corrective actions.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in both English and Afrikaans.
• Willingness to work flexible hours when required by production activities.

Advantageous:

• HACCP Level 2 or Level 3 training.
• Internal Food Safety Auditor training.
• Root Cause Analysis training.
• Experience across more than one food-manufacturing category.
• Knowledge of allergen management, environmental monitoring and shelf-life validation.
• Experience participating in certification, customer or regulatory audits.

Key competencies:

• Strong attention to detail and a disciplined approach to recordkeeping.
• Practical problem-solving skills and sound technical judgement.
• The ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• Confident communication and the ability to address non-compliance constructively.
• Strong planning, organisational and follow-through skills.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.
• A firm commitment to product quality, consumer safety and continuous improvement.