Food Safety and Quality Management Career Opportunity at RCL Foods
RCL Foods, committed to “Growing What Matters”, is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Quality Assurance Technologist (QAT) to join its Bakery Division in Pretoria West, Gauteng on a permanent basis.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for a professional with strong food safety and quality assurance expertise to contribute to the production of high-quality bakery products while ensuring compliance with internal, customer, and legal standards.
About the Role
The QAT is responsible for overseeing food safety, quality assurance, and process compliance across the Pretoria West Bakery. This includes managing QA staff, conducting inspections and audits, verifying equipment calibration, overseeing microbiological and allergen testing, and supporting internal and external audits.
The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that production processes meet rigorous quality and safety standards while supporting continuous improvement initiatives and compliance with customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Staff Management
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Manage QA staff, including scheduling, leave, overtime, development, evaluations, training, and discipline
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Ensure timekeeping (Bestime or equivalent) is accurately signed off monthly
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Monitor and enforce overtime limits and rotating work schedules
Food Safety Equipment Management
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Verify calibration status of food safety equipment (pH meters, thermometers, scales, etc.)
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Ensure equipment verification schedules are adhered to (daily, weekly, etc.)
Microbiological and Allergen Control
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Conduct routine sampling (product, water, ice, surfaces, drains, hands, air plates)
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Ensure annual chemical analysis of water per SANS 241
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Raise and manage NCRs for out-of-spec results, ensuring investigations, corrective actions, and closure
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Conduct allergen and claim verification tests to prevent cross-contamination
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Ensure shelf-life testing for new product development (NPD) trials
Customer Complaints
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Log and manage all customer complaints on the live tracker, ensuring all fields are completed
Hygiene and Pest Control Inspections
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Conduct daily cleaning verification inspections
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Attend bi-weekly pest control meetings and maintain trackers
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Ensure scheduled treatments (silo, fogging, spot/surface, ceiling) are completed
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Maintain records of PCO recommendations and their closure
Traceability and Mock Recalls
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Conduct traceability inspections for raw materials, WIP, packaging, and final products
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Conduct mock recalls according to customer requirements
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Perform forward and backward traceability checks
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Conduct mass balance checks as per internal schedule
Process and Product Control
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Ensure production processes and products comply with internal, customer, and legal requirements
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Conduct daily factory inspections, start-up checks, CCP & OPRP verification, GMP inspections
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Verify QC monitors perform inspections and report deviations timely
Internal and External Audits
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Conduct and assist with internal audits according to schedule
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Manage and present external audits, compiling NCR action plans and ensuring closure on the FPI and SHEQX systems
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Participate in service provider and intersite audits, including weekly Gemba walks
Documentation and Validation
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Review and update system documentation as per document control procedures
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Assist with validation studies (PRP, CCP, OPRP, allergen, cleaning)
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Ensure QC records are reviewed and signed off within 48 hours
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Manage tasting schedules and organoleptic evaluations for products and QC samples
Food Safety Management Meetings and Reporting
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Prepare and contribute to annual Food Safety Management Review Meetings
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Facilitate weekly QA team meetings and monthly food safety meetings
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Generate internal weekly reports (quality report, quality dashboard)
Minimum Requirements
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Minimum of 3 years’ experience in food processing (FMCG)
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Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a QAT role
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Experience in a baking environment
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Relevant food science, microbiology, or quality assurance qualification
Desired Skills and Competencies
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Strong knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP, and GMP
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Experience with internal and external audits
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Analytical and problem-solving skills
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Excellent attention to detail and organisational ability
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Ability to lead and manage QA teams effectively
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Strong reporting, documentation, and communication skills
Work Experience
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Previous experience in bakery production and quality assurance
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Hands-on experience with microbiological testing, allergen control, and food safety inspections
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Experience managing QA staff and supporting operational compliance
Salary and Employment Details
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Job Type: Permanent
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Location: Pretoria West, Gauteng
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Company: RCL Foods – Bakery Division
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Reference Number: RCL260114-1
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Closing Date: 24 January 2026
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Salary: Market-related and aligned with experience
About RCL Foods
RCL Foods is a leading South African food manufacturer committed to quality, sustainability, and employee development. Its Baking Division produces trusted bakery products while maintaining rigorous food safety, quality assurance, and operational standards.
Apply for Quality Assurance Technologist (QAT) – Pretoria West Bakery
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
Closing Date: 24 January 2026
Applications should be submitted through the official RCL Foods careers platform using reference number RCL260114-1, or via the platform below:
If you do not receive feedback within two weeks of submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.
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