Role overview
What you'll be stepping into
The Shelf Life & Stability Testing Analyst will manage and execute shelf life and product stability testing to ensure finished food products maintain their required quality, safety, and performance throughout their intended shelf life.
The role involves monitoring accelerated shelf life studies, conducting rancidity and packaging barrier evaluations, performing laboratory testing, maintaining accurate stability records, and supporting product development, quality investigations, and audit readiness.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Shelf Life and Stability Testing
Monitor accelerated shelf life chambers, testing conditions, and equipment parameters to ensure compliance with approved stability protocols.
Conduct rancidity testing, packaging barrier evaluations, and physicochemical assessments using approved laboratory methods.
Support shelf life testing and modelling activities to generate reliable stability data.
Manage sampling and testing activities throughout the product stability evaluation process.
Laboratory Testing and Verification
Verify the suitability and calibration of instruments, reagents, reference standards, and sampling plans before conducting tests and relying on generated data.
Prepare samples and conduct laboratory inspections and verification activities in accordance with approved procedures.
Maintain appropriate laboratory conditions and ensure testing activities follow established protocols.
Data Management and Documentation
Accurately record test results, instrument logs, and experimental observations.
Maintain complete, traceable, and audit-ready stability documentation.
Prepare laboratory records, test methods, and data summaries to support UNBS, food safety, and customer quality audits.
Ensure stability testing information is properly documented and available for review when required.
Quality, Risk and Corrective Actions
Identify, document, and contain testing deviations or non-conforming samples to prevent false acceptance of unstable products.
Participate in evidence-based root cause analysis of product and testing deviations.
Support and verify the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
Identify product stability concerns and communicate relevant findings to appropriate teams.
Safety and Compliance
Follow laboratory safety, hygiene, chemical-handling, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements at all times.
Support compliance with applicable food safety, laboratory quality, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain laboratory practices that support consistent product quality and safety.
Key Skills and Competencies
Execution of stability testing protocols and shelf life modelling.
Rancidity testing and packaging barrier performance analysis.
Laboratory instrument calibration and sample preparation.
Root cause analysis and non-conformance investigation.
Traceable technical record keeping and laboratory documentation.
Attention to detail and commitment to laboratory accuracy.
Understanding of food quality, safety, and stability principles.
Education and Qualifications
Candidates should possess a relevant qualification in Food Science, Laboratory Science, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related technical discipline. Acceptable qualifications include:
Bachelor’s Degree, Higher Diploma, Ordinary Diploma, National Diploma, or relevant technical laboratory qualification in:
Food Science
Food Processing Technology
Chemistry
Industrial Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Biological Sciences
Biotechnology
Laboratory Science
Environmental Health
Public Health
Quality Management
Packaging Technology
Agriculture
Applied Sciences
Chemical Engineering
Or a closely related science or engineering discipline.
Certifications in HACCP, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, food safety, internal auditing, or laboratory quality management are preferred where applicable.
Experience
At least 1 year of experience in product shelf life testing or laboratory work.
Position Summary
The Shelf Life & Stability Testing Analyst will support product quality and research and development activities by generating reliable stability data, monitoring shelf life studies, conducting laboratory tests, and identifying potential product deviations.
The role requires strong laboratory discipline, accurate documentation, technical attention to detail, and an understanding of food quality, safety, stability, and testing procedures
How to apply