QA Analyst

**Quality Assurance Analyst (Microbiologist) - Nestlé East and Southern Africa
**Location**:Babelegi

**Position Type**:Permanent

**Reporting to**:Consumer feedback and Sensory Specialist

**Minimum Educational Qualification**:Bachelors’ Degree/Diploma in Analytical Chemistry/Chemistry/Food Technology/Biotechnology

**Minimum Relevant Work Experience**:1-2 Years’ experience in a lab environment and quality assurance

Nestlé has over 308 000 employees worldwide. More than being the world’s number one food and beverage brand, we’ve successfully launched, and sustained, hundreds of thousands of careers. We are currently looking to hire a **Quality Assurance Analyst **for the East and Southern Africa region to join our team in Babelegi.

**Main Purpose
Maintaining product quality by ensuring that all products produced at the factory level comply with quality requirements. Co-ordinates sensory sessions and release, rework, and final product in a timely manner such that on-time release targets are met. Maintain recording of ICPs and ensure that GLP is always adhered to.

**A day in the life of Quality Assurance Analyst:
**1. Sensory
- Ensure sensory best practice is adhered to during sensory sessions
- Ensure that the correct reference samples are available for use for all products
- Co-ordinate sensory sessions and release of FP on a daily basis and update attendance register daily
- Conduct ICPs for the main lab on a daily basis
- Conducts spiking of FP panel weekly and update the spiking performance tracking spreadsheet
- Maintain selection of standard approval samples across all products
- Verify that condensate sample is analyzed swiftly and communicate out of norm to industrial services
- Verify that inline sensory is conducted for both cremora and noodles daily ensuring sensory best practice is adhered to.
- Assist in product quality investigations
- Assist in achieving Factory objectives through line verification in filling and pack

**2. Microbiology (when required)
- Preparation of the sample, analysis and reporting of results stated turnaround time (Depending on product category) according to a strict work planning and GLP.
- Pathogen Monitoring - Take swabs in the factory and perform analysis as per sampling plan.
- Ensure that pathogen monitoring plan is up-to-date and complies to relevant standards.
- Analysis of samples: prepare required media. Perform required analysis of samples, reports results within allocated time frame.
- Communicate and participate in investigations for out of norm results.
- Verification of pathogen monitoring plan compliance and share gaps with FSS.
- Conduct weekly hygiene inspection in the plant and conduct plant release when required.

Proficiency Testing:

- Participate in “P” tests
- Mixed microbes (e.g. “L”, “S”).

Maintenance and calibration:

- Maintains equipment (services) and arrange for defects/faulty equipment to be repaired. Maintain records of repairs/calibrations/analytical method control.

**3. Product Re-evaluation
- Set up finished product samples for re-evaluation
- 2nd exam sampling in warehouse when required
- Assist in rework release

**4.General
- Compile sensory trial reports
- Prepare and evaluate industrial batch samples
- Preparation of retention samples for consumer complaints evaluations
- Labelling of retention samples and storing on shelves in sequence
- Evaluate KQ samples at correct defined intervals

**5.Sensory best practise / ICP
- Ensure sensory best practise is maintained in main labs
- Conduct daily calibration checks for the scales
- Verify coding in finished product
- Implement new methods when LI’s are updated
- Ensure sensory equipment and facilities are clean, tidy, and operational

**What will make you successful?
- Bachelors’ Degree/Diploma in Analytical Chemistry/Chemistry/Food Technology/Biotechnology
- 1-2 Years’ experience in a lab environment and quality assurance
- Fulfill the roles and requirements of the micro, chemistry and sensory lab when required
- Experience in SAP & Excel

Closing date: 3 Feb 2023