National Food Safety Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and results-driven  Food Safety Manager  to lead and standardise food safety, hygiene, sanitation, and compliance programmes across our country wide warehouse operations.

This strategic position is responsible for ensuring that all distribution centres, cold storage facilities, and warehouse operations comply with applicable food safety legislation, customer requirements, and internationally recognised food safety standards. The successful candidate will work closely with operational management to build a proactive food safety culture while ensuring continuous improvement throughout the business.

Minimum Requirements Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in  Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Health  or related qualification.
• HACCP Certification (Essential).
• ISO 22000 and/or FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor qualification advantageous.
• Food Safety Management Systems training.
• Valid South African Driver's Licence.
• Willingness to travel nationally.

Experience

• Minimum  5 years' experience  in Food Safety Management.
• Minimum  3 years' experience  within warehouse, distribution centre, logistics or FMCG environments.
• Proven experience implementing Food Safety Management Systems.
• Experience managing internal and external audits.
• Experience leading food safety investigations and corrective actions.
• Experience with warehouse sanitation and industrial cleaning programmes.

Key Responsibilities Food Safety Management

• Develop, implement and maintain the company's Food Safety Management System.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with:
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• HACCP Principles
• ISO 22000
• FSSC 22000
• Customer-specific food safety requirements.
• Maintain food safety documentation and records.
• Review and update policies, SOPs and work instructions.

Warehouse Compliance

• Conduct routine food safety inspections across all warehouses.
• Monitor storage conditions, temperature controls and product handling.
• Ensure allergen management procedures are maintained.
• Verify cleaning effectiveness and sanitation standards.
• Oversee pest control programmes.
• Investigate food safety incidents and implement corrective actions.

Audits & Continuous Improvement

• Plan and conduct internal food safety audits.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented within agreed timelines.
• Analyse audit findings and identify improvement opportunities.
• Monitor food safety KPIs and prepare management reports.

Cleaning & Hygiene Management

• Develop warehouse cleaning and sanitation schedules.
• Verify cleaning chemical usage and compliance.
• Ensure cleaning equipment is maintained and suitable for use.
• Conduct hygiene inspections.

Training & Development

• Deliver food safety induction and refresher training.
• Develop training material for warehouse personnel.
• Coach supervisors and management teams.

Risk Management

• Identify food safety risks within warehouse operations.
• Conduct risk assessments.
• Investigate non-conformances, customer complaints and food safety incidents.
• Implement preventative and corrective actions.
• Monitor effectiveness of corrective action plans.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with warehouse management teams.
• Support operational management during customer audits.
• Engage with regulatory authorities where required.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers regarding food safety compliance.