Lead Specialist, Quality Assurance

Lead Specialist, Quality Assurance, TTH

Location: Midrand, South Africa

At dsm-firmenich, Midrand, South Africa, we are looking for a Lead Specialist, Quality Assurance in our Taste, Texture & Health business.

In this role, you will lead day to day Quality Assurance (QA) activities and support the operational compliance to the Food Safety and Quality Management System through monitoring, auditing and review.

You will lead client and internal audits, and will drive continuous improvement on site

Your key responsibilities:
• Quality Culture & Strategy: Promote a strong quality mindset across the site. Drive the site’s quality goals in alignment with global and regional strategies.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain and perform first-level reviews of QA procedures in the Document Management System. Oversee the creation, control, and maintenance of quality documents and policies. Ensure compliance with global quality standards and legal requirements.
• Food Safety Program Management: Monitor food safety performance and ensure key programs are effective. Support and improve hazard control programs such as HACCP, food defence, and food fraud prevention.
• Audits & Certifications: Plan, lead and coordinate internal audits and train auditors. Support external audits and maintain certifications (e.g., Kosher, Halal, RSPO, Organic). Ensure site readiness and compliance.
• Training & Awareness: Train new and existing employees on food safety and quality system requirements. Promote awareness through ongoing education and engagement.
• Issue Management & CAPA: Lead root cause investigations for quality issues. Manage corrective and preventive actions to ensure effective resolution.
• Customer & Supplier Interaction: Respond to customer requests and provide technical documentation. Manage supplier non-conformances and ensure timely resolution.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive improvements through CAPA implementation and GMP/Gemba Walks.
• Complaint Handling: Investigate quality complaints and deviations.
• Leadership: Lead QA initiatives in the absence of the Associate Manager.
• Traceability & Testing: Lead mock recalls and traceability exercises.
• Reporting & Project Leadership: Share performance updates in meetings. Lead small-scale quality improvement projects.

We offer:
• A chance to impact millions of consumers every day – sustainability embedded in all we do
• Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership
• A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on
• A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.

You bring:
• Bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, quality food technology or related.
• 3+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical or food industry, within a manufacturing background.
• Fluency in local language essential, and English language fluency essential
• Highly self-motivated showing strong self-discipline and a structured approach to practices & improvements
• Food Hygiene Supervisor Level, HACCP, VACCP, TACCP and Lead Auditor Qualifications essential
• Understanding of Food Safety and Quality Management Systems is essential (BRC, FSSC, ISO)

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

Agency statement:

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.