Innovation & Quality Manager

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the General Manager, the Innovation & Quality Manager is responsible for leading the organization's quality assurance and product innovation initiatives. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the consistent quality of the organization's products, driving continuous improvement, and developing new and innovative solutions to meet customer needs. 

Mission: 

Support Lesaffre South Africa to achieve our growth objectives, by:  

• Developing and implementing comprehensive quality management systems to ensure the consistent production of high-quality products across both manufacturing entities. 

• Ensuring our QHS standards and certifications 

• Driving innovation and continuous improvement to enhance the organization's product offerings and manufacturing capabilities. 

• Ensure the efficiency and the cost-competitiveness of our products range. 

• Formulation support for Baking Center technicians by guiding them towards the products best suited to their requests. 

Main Responsibilities: 

Quality Management and Assurance: 

Lead the Quality team to: 

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive quality management systems, such as FSSC 22000 or ISO 9001, to ensure the consistent production of high-quality products 

• Establish and monitor quality control procedures, including inspections, testing, and process control measures, to identify and address any quality issues 

• Analyse quality data and implement corrective and preventive actions to continuously improve the organization's manufacturing processes 

• Ensure the organization's compliance with relevant industry regulations, food safety standards, and customer requirements 

• Manage the customer’s complaint for manufactured goods and traded ones 

Product Innovation and Development: 

• Lead formulation projects to develop new solutions meeting customer and market needs whilst coordinating with MEA team 

• Provide formulation support for Baking Center technicians and Sales department  

• New innovative and profitable product formulas meeting customer preferences while maintaining quality. 

• Update and optimize existing products through benchmarking and integrating new high-performance materials. 

• Conduct experiments, such as tests in the Baking Center or at customer facilities. 

• Maintain accurate records of all product development and formulation information in the company's IT tools. 

• Collaborate with Production Manager to ensure effective and efficient production.  

Continuous Improvement and Optimization: 

• Comprehensive understanding and close monitoring of the raw materials to assess their possible benefits. 

• Provide training and development opportunities to the Quality and Production teams to enhance their skills and capabilities. 

• Analyse performance data and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and drive the implementation of innovative solutions. 

Regulatory Compliance and Food Safety: 

• Ensure the organization's compliance with all relevant food safety regulations, industry standards, and customer requirements. 

• Develop and maintain comprehensive food safety management systems, such as HACCP, to identify and mitigate potential food safety risks. 

• Coordinate with regulatory authorities, certification bodies, and industry associations to stay informed of the latest developments and best practices. 

• Oversee the implementation of traceability systems and the management of product recalls or withdrawals, if necessary. 

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication: 

 

• Collaborate with the Production, Supply Chain, and Sales teams to align quality and innovation initiatives with the organization's overall business objectives. 

• Communicate effectively with the General Manager and other senior leaders to provide updates, share insights, and address any quality-related concerns. 

• Represent the organization's quality and innovation functions and serve as a subject matter expert in cross-functional initiatives. 

Qualifications and Skills: 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Quality Management, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CQE, HACCP) is preferred 

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in quality management, product development, or innovation leadership roles, preferably in the food manufacturing or consumer goods industry 

• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful quality management systems and driving continuous improvement 

Technical Skills: 

• Proficient in using quality control, product development, and data analysis software 

• Strong understanding of food science, manufacturing processes, and quality management principles 

• Expertise in implementing and maintaining food safety management systems, such as HACCP and FSSC 22000 

Personal Attributes: 

 

• Project management skills 

• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights 

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills to address complex quality and innovation challenges 

• Strong leadership and team-building skills to effectively manage the Quality and Innovation teams 

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders 

• Commitment to continuous improvement and the development of innovative solutions 

Line Management 

• Reporting directly to the General Manager