GK FOODS
(A Division of GraceKennedy Limited)
Invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of
SENIOR TECHNICAL OFFICER
GLOBAL CATEGORY MANAGEMENT UNIT - INNOVATION UNIT
Reporting to the Technical Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for providing support and guidance to other GK Foods units on technical/scientific, regulatory, and labelling matters and consumer complaints in the food industry. This position is also required to assist with technical research on materials, product formulation and processing methods.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop new product and product extension formulations that meet the requirements of the marketing arm.
- Ensure high levels of conformance to specifications and low variability in final parameters of finished products.
- Ensure safe products via robust process design, adequate process controls and quality monitoring (HACCP) and other food safety management systems.
- Develop, review and/or approve a formal documented and well-maintained quality management system in the key central units and distribution companies
- Provide technical advice and support to the organization aimed at continuous improvement and a reduction of errors, waste and quality deviations.
- Timely and effective problem solving including customer complaint investigation and preventive actions
- Ensure ongoing compliance with regulations
- Review and approve labeling and product claims made by GK Foods companies
- Conduct periodic audits and analyze material and production process to ensure conformance to specifications and initiate action where necessary to correct unfavourable trends when observed
- Liaise with regulatory agencies as required.
- Develop relationships with main ingredient and packaging suppliers.
- Keep current with technological developments in food and beverage industry and the related fields.
- Conduct technical research, tests and trials with the aim of reducing costs or improving product performance.
- Fulfill responsibilities as designated in the event of a Product Recall within GK Foods
- Monitor quality and technical performance of external factories for which the company has responsibilities in collaboration with the Supply Chain Unit. This will include contract packing of products for the company or associated companies done at 3rd party facilities.
- Institute and manage an effective internal/self-audit process within the department.
- Oversee the quality, risk and internal control document control system for Technical, New Product Development and Global Brand Management units.
- Ensure that procedures are followed and records are maintained in accordance with regulations and the company’s quality, food safety, risk and internal controls system.
- See to the annual registration of the factories as food processing establishments.
- Liaise with brand owners and principals on technical matters and provide reports as required.
- Lead the quality team in establishing and maintaining the company’s quality management and food safety (ISO22000/HACCP) systems in the central units and the distribution companies.
- Update the senior management of any quality or food safety concerns on a timely basis.
ACADEMIC/ PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- B.Sc. in any of the Natural Sciences with a major in Food Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Technology or a related field.
- 5 years experience in quality assurance or R&D in the food or beverage industry with at least 2 years in a management role.
- Formal training in quality and food safety management systems (e.g. ISO22000) or HACCP
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Scientific and logical thinker
- Knowledge of importing markets regulatory standards for various foods and beverages
- Problem solving skills and techniques
- Intimate knowledge of food science, technological developments in the industry and quality management systems.
- Organized and disciplined in the approach to tasks
- Good writing skills and comfortable with document preparation
- Competent in the use of computer applications especially word processing, spreadsheets and statistical software.
- Meticulous approach to work and attentive to details.
- Good negotiation skills.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit applications no later than
Monday, 2017 January 30
