General Manager Quality Assurance

Overview

General Manager Quality Assurance Jobs in City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa at Rich Products Corporation

Title: General Manager Quality Assurance

Company: Rich Products Corporation

Location: City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Key Accountabilities/Outcome

Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and implement country food safety and quality strategies that align with the Rich’s global standards and objectives.
• Establish quality and food safety objectives, performance metrics, and KPIs to ensure excellence across all facilities and operations.
• Provide leadership and direction to country food safety and quality teams.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in food safety and quality.
• Participate in country BU meetings and align with ways to support strategies.
• Ensure that risk assessment of BU initiatives is completed to mitigate potential quality and safety issues across the supply chain.
• Execute the RIC strategy that aligns with the company’s long-term goals.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure that the facilities in South Africa and any import/export comply with local, national, and international food safety regulations and standards.
• Stay current with changes in food safety regulations and update company policies and procedures accordingly.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies as it pertains to Food Safety and certification agencies in the region.

Quality Management

• Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of the Global Quality Management System (QMS).
• Ensure that all manufacturing facilities and suppliers adhere to company quality standards and conduct regular audits to verify compliance.
• Develop and maintain global quality assurance processes that align with international certifications (e.g., ISO, GFSI, BRC).
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to address food safety and quality issues. Identify regional and recurring issues and drive resolution.

Food Safety and Compliance

• Complete food safety initiatives, including hazard analysis, critical control points (HACCP), and preventive controls to ensure compliance with international regulations (FDA, USDA, EFSA, etc.).
• Ensure full compliance with all relevant food safety laws, industry standards, and company policies across global markets.
• Lead recall readiness programs, crisis management, and traceability efforts in the event of any food safety incidents.

Supplier Quality Management

• Manage global supplier quality programs, including supplier audits, qualification processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure that all raw materials, ingredients, and packaging meet the company’s quality and safety standards.
• Ensure local teams foster strong relationships with key suppliers to drive improvements in quality performance and food safety.

Risk Management

• Manage food safety incidents and recalls, including root cause analysis and communication with stakeholders.
• Support and ensure no adverse result as a result of change management process.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation related to quality control and food safety hazards.
• Manage food safety audits, certifications, and quality assurance assessments from regulatory agencies and external auditors.
• Ensure a rapid response framework is in place for quality-related incidents, recalls, or contamination issues.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of quality and food safety professionals promoting collaboration across functions.
• Establish clear objectives, KPIs, and performance metrics for the compliance team.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the FS/QA organization·
• Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the quality and food safety organization.
• Ensure that all team members receive appropriate training and development in quality management and food safety protocols.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical.
• Design and deliver food safety and quality training programs for associates at all levels.

Collaboration and Cross Functional Leadership

• Partner with R&D, operations, supply chain, and marketing teams to ensure that product development and manufacturing processes meet safety and quality standards.
• Provide regular reports and updates to VP, BU leadership on the status of compliance for South Africa.

Compliance Metrics and Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for food safety and quality.
• Monitor and report timely on food safety and quality performance, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
• Prepare and present reports to leaders and other stakeholders.
• Manage and optimize the compliance budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources across projects and regions.
• Communicate quality and safety performance metrics and insights to the country leadership team and relevant stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by implementing best practices in quality assurance, food safety, and compliance.
• Utilize data-driven insights and root cause analysis to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.
• Foster innovation in quality control methodologies and food safety technologies.
• Instil and nurture a culture of FSQA compliance throughout the organization.
• Encourage associates at all levels to contribute ideas and participate in compliance efforts.

Qualification/Skills/Experience

• 10 – 15 years progressive quality assurance and food safety experience with a minimum of 5 years at a senior level position.
• 5 of the 10 years of experience must be in a decision-making position (authority to define, execute, or control project/processes and to be responsible for the outcome).
• BS in Food Science or related field.
• In depth working knowledge of food processing, regulatory requirements, food preservation, food borne illness, food allergies, pest management, sanitary design, sanitation and food microbiology.
• Certified HACCP trainer, Good Manufacturing Practices Trainer, and ability to develop, deliver and evaluate quality and food safety training programs.
• Ability to establish statistical process controls .
• Ability to identify and recommend corrective action and continuous process improvement.
• Knowledge of specifications, calibration and process capability.
• Skilled in conducting facility audits and assessing quality and food safety system performance.
• Ability to effectively implement quality initiatives .
• Relentless dedication to product quality, thoroughness, detail and consistency.
• Personal computer skills with ability to use Microsoft Office programs and statistical software.

Global/ local travel Rich Products Corporation South Africa, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, family responsibility, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, HIV status, conscience, belief, political opinion, culture, language, birth or on any other arbitrary ground. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equity Act and certain local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Human Resources department at [email protected] if you need assistance completing this application.