Job Description

AVI Ltd. is known for its leading household brands across many categories including: hot beverages, sweet and savoury biscuits and snacks, frozen convenience foods, personal care products, cosmetics, shoes, accessories, and fashion apparel.NATIONAL BRANDS LIMITED operates 5 manufacturing sites, offering world class manufacturing facilities in Isando (Johannesburg), Rosslyn (Pretoria), Westmead and Durban (KZN). It is home to some of the best-known South African tea, coffee and creamer brands, including our delicious range of much-loved savoury and sweet biscuits, and our melt-in-your-mouth snack range.An exciting opportunity exists for a Technical Manager at NATIONAL BRANDS LIMITED Isando, Biscuits. The purpose of the role is to lead the Technical Team and drive the NPD and R&D portfolios. The successful incumbent will report to the Operations Executive with a dotted line to the Technical ExecutiveLine Manager: Operations ExecutiveNumber of Direct Reports: 4Job Specification:Key Performance Areas:

• Responsible for overall R&D and NPD activities on site.
• Identify and implement Improvement Opportunities related to product quality and process optimization
• Liaise with suppliers on quality and technical issues.
• Operational budgeting and cost control
• Competency development of teams, including mentoring and coaching
• Trend and review raw material, product and process specifications and update them
• Develop, validate and implement equipment and process procedures
• Create exciting new products in line with Design HACCP requirements that will meet market requirements from concept phase to industrialization
• Conduct shelf life studies
• Conduct sensory evaluation
• Identify, test and approve new ingredients
• Develop, validate and implement analytical methods
• To support the project team in the scoping, development and commissioning of CAPEX projects
• Support packaging projects as required
• Issue regular project status reports and hand-over project report
• Provide hands on support and involvement in the day to day operations
• Provide hands-on training in baking and baking operations as well as class room training sessions
• Mentor and develop junior members of the Technical team
• Ensure the Pilot Plant facility fulfills the site AIB,GMP and Safety requirements
• Maintain good manufacturing practices
• Enforce and maintain discipline

• A minimum 10 years' experience within the FMCG / Food Production Industry.
• A minimum of 5 years in a managerial role.
• Previous experience within the baking industry would be an advantage.

• BSc / BSc (Hons) degree in Food Science or Chemical Engineering is essential
• Experience in operations, quality, processing or R&D within the FMCG Industry spanning at least 5 years

• Knowledge of data analysis and related software (i.e. Minitab, Statistica)
• Knowledge of FSSC 22000 and AIB
• Knowledge of SAP
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
• Knowledge of Sensory Science

• Thinking Analytically
• Attention to Detail
• Documenting Facts
• Interpreting Data
• Articulating Information
• Making Decisions
• Taking Initiative
• Resolving Conflict

AVI