Lab Technician

The key purpose of this role is to provide laboratory support to the value chain by performing checks and verifications to ensure production of Highest Quality and safe products to our consumers.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for meeting Quality KPIs

• Prevent quality non compliances

• Promote quality awareness

• Contribute to quality performance at the site

• Promotion of a quality culture

• Maintain housekeeping and 5S standards

Maintain Equipment and Workplace

• Maintain and calibrate equipment

• Maintain a safe and healthy environment

Analyse Samples

• Prepare samples

• Conduct analyses

Compliance to VPO Quality Pillar and other applicable VPO requirements

• Execute VPO activities in accordance with the VPO work practices

• Execution of activities to ensure compliance to food safety and quality management systems

Process Control

• Sampling is carried out as per procedure

• Samples are identified, verified and handled to retain integrity as per procedure

• Samples are prepared and dispatched, if necessary, as per procedure

• Relevant apparatus, equipment and reagents are prepared as per procedure

• Analysis is performed using fundamental laboratory techniques and practices

• Accurate results generated at specified times

• Results are recorded and reported as per Quality standard

• Non-conformance identified and escalated as per procedure

• Out of control procedure adhered to

• VPO compliance

Lab Equipment

• Equipment is maintained and calibrated according to procedure

• Equipment and verification calibration frequencies are adhered to

• Calibration records available and update

Safety and healthy work environment

• Adherence to PPE policy

• Unsafe conditions and work practices are identified and actioned

• Chemicals and reagents are handled as per manualized procedure

• Hazardous substances are stored, handled and disposed of as per procedures

• Adherence to documented lab safety rules, guides and practices

• Incidents are reported and actioned as per procedure

• House-keeping schedules are adhered to

Specialist Analysis

• Carry out specialized and highly specialized quality analyses where required

• Record the results of analyses conducted on appropriate information systems and communicate results accordingly

• Conduct analysis of results to identify problems and improvement opportunities timeously

• Assist the plant in the execution of quality analysis, where required

• Conduct calibration of specialist equipment for which the labs are responsible

Problem Solving

• Support the production teams in problem solving, providing specialist assistance and techniques

• Assist with coaching/mentoring of production teams on problem solving and correct use of problem-solving techniques as required

Training

• Support the training of the production teams

• Assist with coaching/mentoring of production teams on quality analyses and correct use of analytical techniques

Continuous Improvement

• Carry out specialised analyses in support of the evaluation of continuous improvement opportunities

• Determine additional analytical work required evaluating continuous improvement opportunities

• Take part in regional and divisional process optimisation initiatives as required

Key Attributes and Competencies:

• Proactive

• Proven leadership ability

• Ability to utilise computer programmes

• Analytical ability

• Communication skills and interpersonal skills

• Problem solving skills

• Precision and accuracy, attention to detail

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/ Biotechnology or equivalent.

• Min 3-12 months on the job training

• 2-3 Years Experience in Laboratory , Brewing or Packaging operations, Experience in the Food Industry or laboratory environment

• Understanding of process control within a brewing/process environment

• Numeracy