Quality Controller - VKB Milling, Modderrivier

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About VKB Milling

VKB Milling plays a critical role in transforming agricultural raw materials into high-quality food products that reach customers across South Africa. Operating within a highly regulated food manufacturing environment, the business is committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, product quality, traceability, and operational excellence.

By combining modern manufacturing practices with a strong commitment to continuous improvement, VKB Milling creates opportunities for talented individuals to contribute to food production that consumers can trust. Joining the team means becoming part of a business where quality, accountability, and teamwork directly influence customer satisfaction and business success.

Farm Foods, a division of VKB Agri Processors (Pty) Ltd and part of the VKB Group, is a leading South African manufacturer of staple food products. Formed through the integration of VKB Milling, Vhembe Milling and GWK Farm Foods, Farm Foods supplies high-quality maize meal, flour, pasta, noodles and related products to households, bakeries, retailers and industrial customers across South Africa.

With production facilities located in Mokopane (Limpopo), Mashishing (Mpumalanga), Frankfort (Free State), Christiana (North - West) and Modderrivier (Northern Cape), Farm Foods is strategically positioned to serve markets nationwide while maintaining the highest standards of quality, food safety and operational excellence.

Quality Controller

Location: Modderrivier

Department: Lab Quality Controller

Reporting to: Quality Assurance Officer

Why This Role Matters

Food safety and product quality are at the heart of everything we do. As a Quality Controller, you will play a vital role in ensuring that every product leaving our facility meets customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards.

This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on food safety compliance, product integrity, traceability, and continuous improvement. You will work across the manufacturing process, from raw material receiving to finished product release, helping to safeguard product quality while supporting a strong food safety culture throughout the business.

Why Join VKB?

At VKB, you will be part of a team that contributes to feeding communities through safe and high-quality food production. We believe in empowering people who are passionate about excellence, continuous learning, and making a meaningful contribution.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Work within internationally recognized food safety systems and standards.
• Build expertise in quality assurance, laboratory analysis, compliance, and auditing.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence.
• Collaborate with experienced professionals across production, warehousing, maintenance, and quality teams.
• Be part of an organization guided by the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and One Team.

What Success Looks Like

• Delivers accurate quality inspections and verification activities across manufacturing and packing operations.
• Ensures only compliant products are approved for storage, dispatch, and customer delivery.
• Maintains reliable traceability, testing, and quality records that support audit readiness.
• Identifies quality risks proactively and drives timely corrective actions.
• Supports world-class food safety standards through effective GMP and compliance monitoring.
• Coordinates laboratory testing activities that provide dependable and actionable results.
• Builds strong working relationships with operational teams to promote quality awareness.
• Improves quality performance through participation in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a detail-oriented and quality-focused professional who takes pride in maintaining high standards and ensuring products meet strict food safety requirements. The ideal candidate enjoys working in a manufacturing environment, values accuracy, and can confidently identify and address quality concerns before they become larger issues.

You are someone who:

• Demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
• Communicates effectively across teams and functions.
• Remains composed and focused in a fast-paced production environment.
• Has a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Understands the importance of compliance, traceability, and product integrity.
• Embraces teamwork while taking ownership of individual responsibilities.
• Aligns naturally with VKB's values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and One Team.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / NQF Level 4.
• Food Safety, HACCP, or Quality Management certification will be advantageous.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality management systems.

Essential Experience

• 2-3 years' experience in a Quality Control role within a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Experience using laboratory testing equipment and quality control procedures.
• Experience working within FSSC 22000, HACCP, GMP, and food safety management systems.

Competencies

• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Planning and organizational ability.
• Compliance and quality orientation.
• Team collaboration.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Accountability and professional integrity.

Skills Required

• Laboratory testing and analytical techniques.
• Quality inspection and verification practices.
• Food safety and quality management systems.
• Auditing and compliance monitoring.
• Documentation and record management.
• Traceability and product release processes.
• Report writing and data recording.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Understanding of food manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect incoming raw materials and packaging against approved specifications.
• Verify supplier documentation, certificates of analysis, and traceability information.
• Conduct routine quality inspections throughout manufacturing and packing processes.
• Monitor product quality characteristics and compliance with specifications.
• Identify, segregate, and report non-conforming materials and products.
• Perform laboratory testing and analyze raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products.
• Verify calibration and functionality of weighing and testing equipment.
• Maintain retention samples and support product investigations.
• Verify finished product compliance before product release.
• Conduct GMP, hygiene, housekeeping, and food safety inspections.
• Report non-conformances, food safety risks, and quality concerns promptly.
• Participate in internal, customer, and external audits.
• Complete quality records and documentation accurately and timeously.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis and maintain traceability records.
• Support continuous improvement, waste reduction, and food safety culture initiatives.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

When applying, please ensure that:

• You use Google Chrome to access the Career Portal.
• You upload a clear and professional CV in PDF or Word format only.
• Your CV does not contain handwritten notes or markings.
• Supporting documents such as your ID, driver's license, certificates, or other documentation are uploaded in the designated sections and not combined with your CV.
• Your profile photo meets the minimum size requirement of 300 x 300 pixels.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organization.