SHEQ Laboratory Leadership Role – Milling Division Quality & Food Safety

RCL Foods is seeking to employ a Senior Laboratory Technologist within its Milling Division, based in Pretoria, Gauteng. This permanent role forms part of the SHEQ function and reports directly to the Quality and Food Safety Manager.

The successful candidate will oversee daily laboratory operations, maintain the laboratory management system, ensure quality control standards are upheld, coordinate with stakeholders, manage laboratory staff, and report on laboratory activities and performance. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results while maintaining a safe and efficient laboratory environment.

This opportunity is suited to experienced laboratory professionals with strong technical, supervisory, and operational expertise in food science or analytical laboratory environments.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Laboratory Technologist is responsible for overseeing laboratory operations and maintaining compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory standards.

The role ensures that laboratory systems operate effectively, that test results are accurate and reliable, and that laboratory processes align with business objectives. The position also includes leadership responsibilities, compliance oversight, and continuous improvement within the laboratory function.

This role supports operational excellence within the Milling Division by maintaining high laboratory standards and contributing to strategic and financial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Training & Development

The incumbent must demonstrate ownership and accountability in all laboratory operations. Consistent quality and productivity must be maintained while effectively communicating progress and risks.

The role includes mentoring and coaching team members, supporting company values, and driving training and development initiatives. Performance appraisals must be conducted, team engagement must be encouraged, and communication must be maintained across teams.

Compliance Management

The Senior Laboratory Technologist is responsible for identifying and rectifying deviations within the Laboratory Management System to ensure alignment with relevant good laboratory practices and industry standards.

Audits must be scheduled and executed across compliance areas. The role includes overseeing external audit processes, leading investigations, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented.

Compliance with good laboratory standards and the Occupational Health and Safety Act must be maintained at all times. Updates to the Laboratory Quality Manual and Procedures Manual must be reviewed and approved while ensuring adherence to safety protocols.

Strategy Execution

Laboratory processes must be aligned with broader business objectives. The role includes contributing to cost-saving strategies and participating in policy development that supports operational and financial goals.

Technical Expertise

The incumbent must provide technical guidance on laboratory analyses, including method development and troubleshooting. Interpretation of results is required to identify trends and provide recommendations.

Witness tests must be conducted to ensure accurate and reliable results. The role requires strong analytical capability and technical oversight within the laboratory environment.

Project Management

Laboratory-related projects and continuous improvement interventions must be managed effectively. Project phases must be monitored against deliverables, and bottlenecks must be resolved to ensure timely completion.

Project reports must be analysed, and post-evaluation exercises conducted to assess project impact and results.

Supplier Quality Assurance and Contractor Management

The role includes providing input into supply contracts, participating in supplier selection, and ensuring stock records are maintained accurately.

Buying requisitions must be completed as required. The incumbent must remain updated on technological advancements and safeguard consumables stores.

Incident Reporting and Record Keeping

Accurate records of incidents must be maintained. Investigations must be conducted timeously, corrective actions implemented, and reporting completed in line with company procedures.

Financial Management

The Senior Laboratory Technologist is responsible for drawing up the annual budget, conducting costings for laboratory tests, and initiating cost-cutting initiatives.

Capital expenditure requirements must be identified, and approved programs must be implemented accordingly.

Minimum Requirements

NQF Level 7 Advanced Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, or Analytical Chemistry

Minimum 6 years’ experience in laboratory and operational execution

Supervisory or management experience is required

Candidates applying for this laboratory technologist job must demonstrate strong leadership capability, technical laboratory expertise, and operational management experience within food science or analytical laboratory environments.

Technical and Professional Skills

Strong laboratory management capability

Knowledge of good laboratory practices and industry standards

Supervisory and team leadership skills

Audit and compliance management experience

Technical analytical expertise in laboratory testing

Project management and continuous improvement capability

Financial planning and budgeting skills

Effective communication and stakeholder coordination

These competencies are essential for candidates pursuing senior laboratory technologist roles and food science careers within milling and manufacturing environments.

Work Environment and Operational Focus

This role operates within a laboratory environment in Pretoria as part of the Milling Division. The position requires oversight of laboratory staff, coordination with internal stakeholders, and engagement with suppliers and contractors.

The Senior Laboratory Technologist must ensure laboratory systems support food safety, quality standards, operational performance, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires structured leadership, analytical precision, and accountability in maintaining laboratory excellence.

Employment Details

Position: Senior Laboratory Technologist
Reference Number: RCL260212-2
Company: RCL Foods
Function: SHEQ
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Closing Date: 23 February 2026

Applicants who do not receive feedback after the recruitment process may consider their application unsuccessful.

Employment Equity

RCL Foods supports fair and responsible employment practices in line with company policy and applicable labour legislation.

Apply for Senior Laboratory Technologist – Pretoria

Qualified laboratory professionals with food science or analytical chemistry backgrounds and supervisory experience are encouraged to apply before the closing date.

👉 Apply for Senior Laboratory Technologist – Pretoria

Applications close on 23 February 2026.

Explore More Laboratory and SHEQ Jobs

👉 Laboratory Technologist Jobs in South Africa
👉 Food Science and Quality Assurance Careers
👉 Engineering and SHEQ Vacancies in Gauteng