Founded in 1853, Lesaffre is an independent, family-owned group based in France and a leading global provider of baker's yeast and yeast extract products. It employs over 11,000 people on five continents and markets bakery, taste improvement, health and nutrition, fermentation and brewery products and services. 

Lesaffre South Africa, previously known as Aries Baking Supplies and Bakelab, are entities recently acquired by Lesaffre. 

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the General Manager, the Innovation & Quality Manager is responsible for leading the organization's quality assurance and product innovation initiatives. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the consistent quality of the organization's products, driving continuous improvement, and developing new and innovative solutions to meet customer needs. 

Mission: 

Support Lesaffre South Africa to achieve our growth objectives, by:  

• Developing and implementing comprehensive quality management systems to ensure the consistent production of high-quality products across both manufacturing entities. 

• Ensuring our QHS standards and certifications 

• Driving innovation and continuous improvement to enhance the organization's product offerings and manufacturing capabilities. 

• Ensure the efficiency and the cost-competitiveness of our products range. 

• Formulation support for Baking Center technicians by guiding them towards the products best suited to their requests. 

Main Responsibilities: 

Quality Management and Assurance: 

Lead the Quality team to: 

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive quality management systems, such as FSSC 22000 or ISO 9001, to ensure the consistent production of high-quality products 

• Establish and monitor quality control procedures, including inspections, testing, and process control measures, to identify and address any quality issues 

• Analyse quality data and implement corrective and preventive actions to continuously improve the organization's manufacturing processes 

• Ensure the organization's compliance with relevant industry regulations, food safety standards, and customer requirements 

• Manage the customer’s complaint for manufactured goods and traded ones 

Product Innovation and Development: 

• Lead formulation projects to develop new solutions meeting customer and market needs whilst coordinating with MEA team 

• Provide formulation support for Baking Center technicians and Sales department  

• New innovative and profitable product formulas meeting customer preferences while maintaining quality. 

• Update and optimize existing products through benchmarking and integrating new high-performance materials. 

• Conduct experiments, such as tests in the Baking Center or at customer facilities. 

• Maintain accurate records of all product development and formulation information in the company's IT tools. 

• Collaborate with Production Manager to ensure effective and efficient production.  

Continuous Improvement and Optimization: 

• Comprehensive understanding and close monitoring of the raw materials to assess their possible benefits. 

• Provide training and development opportunities to the Quality and Production teams to enhance their skills and capabilities. 

• Analyse performance data and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and drive the implementation of innovative solutions. 

Regulatory Compliance and Food Safety: 

• Ensure the organization's compliance with all relevant food safety regulations, industry standards, and customer requirements. 

• Develop and maintain comprehensive food safety management systems, such as HACCP, to identify and mitigate potential food safety risks. 

• Coordinate with regulatory authorities, certification bodies, and industry associations to stay informed of the latest developments and best practices. 

• Oversee the implementation of traceability systems and the management of product recalls or withdrawals, if necessary. 

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication: 

• Collaborate with the Production, Supply Chain, and Sales teams to align quality and innovation initiatives with the organization's overall business objectives. 

• Communicate effectively with the General Manager and other senior leaders to provide updates, share insights, and address any quality-related concerns. 

• Represent the organization's quality and innovation functions and serve as a subject matter expert in cross-functional initiatives. 

Qualifications and Skills: 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Quality Management, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CQE, HACCP) is preferred 

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in quality management, product development, or innovation leadership roles, preferably in the food manufacturing or consumer goods industry 

• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful quality management systems and driving continuous improvement 

Technical Skills: 

• Proficient in using quality control, product development, and data analysis software 

• Strong understanding of food science, manufacturing processes, and quality management principles 

• Expertise in implementing and maintaining food safety management systems, such as HACCP and FSSC 22000 

Personal Attributes: 

• Project management skills 

• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights 

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills to address complex quality and innovation challenges 

• Strong leadership and team-building skills to effectively manage the Quality and Innovation teams 

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders 

• Commitment to continuous improvement and the development of innovative solutions 

Line Management 

• Reporting directly to the General Manager