Laboratory Technician

SUMMARY:
To conduct microbiological and analytical tests on raw material and finished products manufactured.

POSITION INFO:

Laboratory Technician

Operations
Responsible for laboratory testing and analysis of raw materials and finished products to support food safety,
quality and production standards.

Job Purpose
To conduct microbiological and analytical tests on raw material and finished products manufactured ensuring
results are communicated and corrected. To comply with the organisational as well as legal standards and
procedures. To carry out any other relevant duties as required.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs
Product & Raw Material Testing
• Conduct microbiological and analytical testing on the following products using approved testing
methods as per SOP:
• Carbonated Soft Drink and Alcoholic beverages
• Incoming Raw Material and verification of consignment products.
• External verification tests by a SANAS Accredited Laboratory.
• Equipment Calibration and/or daily verification
• Conduct analytical tests in water as follows: pH., Brix, CO2, FSO2, Turbidity and Alcohol %, TSO2, etc.
• Organoleptic checks
• Packaging Quality Checks
• Seam Evaluation Quality Control checks
• Conducting microbiocidal testing of the final product, surfaces and the environment, etc.
Non-product environmental testing
• Conduct micro-testing on equipment, environment, water, and air by plating on Agar plates
• Conducting micro – testing on environmental swabs
Communication, reporting of results and deviations, and Investigation
• Communicate any deviations to the Team Leader and/or Quality Manager and assist in root cause
analysis to identify the source of deviation / non-conformity..
Ensure all reagents to be used are available and discard all waste generated during analysis
• Plans work accordingly and request reagents if not available or about to expire.
• Correct and safe packing of waste for disposal

Health, Safety, Quality and FSSC 22 000
• Visual inspection on plant and products.
• Ensure adherence to standards.
• Ensure that all work is done in a safe manner and all equipment used complies with Safety Standards.
• Support the companies Health and Safety as well as Quality programme to achieve the identified
objectives and targets and fulfil the responsibilities assigned by management.
• Adhere to all Food Safey Standards and report on all issues with regards to the Food Safety
Management System to the Food Safety Team.
• Ensure that the Critical Control Points (CCP 1) and Operational Prerequisite Programs (OPRP 2) are
measured, monitored and verified at predetermined frequencies as per the SOP.

Qualifications and Experience
• Grade 12.
• BSc in Microbiology, BSc/Biotechnology Diploma or B.Tech/Food Technology qualification.
• 1 year product testing in FCMG.
• 1 year laboratory experience.

Key Qualities & Behavioural Competencies
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in observing deviations and ensuring precise measurements to
maintain product consistency.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to evaluate data, identify trends, and troubleshoot quality issues
proactively.
• Proactive problem-solving mindset: Applies root-cause analysis to resolve defects, inspired by
continuous improvement practices. Ability to investigate issues and implement solutions under
pressure.
• Teamwork and Communication: Collaborates with production teams and communicates findings
clearly to drive corrective actions, fostering a quality-focused culture.
• Integrity and Accountability: Upholds ethical standards in testing and reporting, taking ownership of
quality outcomes.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic manufacturing setting, handling shift work and responding to realtime
production challenges.
• Safety: Commitment to safety and quality, demonstrating integrity in upholding standards without
compromise.

Additional duties
• When required, perform analysis on the purchased Raw materials in accordance with RMQC plan.
• Additional QC duties required as per business requirements