Highlands is a Kenyan company manufacturing and marketing non-alcoholic beverages, with a history spanning 69 years. A Pioneer of the East African beverages industry, Highlands has been transformed from a small family factory to a category leader with an "own-brand" portfolio that spans the major beverage categories and consumer segments of the market.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Sample and test raw materials, in-process products and finished products against approved specifications; record results and escalate deviations.
• Monitor production controls, hygiene and food safety practices for compliance with approved procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices and applicable requirements.
• Conduct approved chemical and microbiological tests on raw materials, finished products, food-contact surfaces and personnel, as required.
• Maintain quality procedures, testing SOPs, data forms, equipment logbooks, inventory records and accurate quality reports.
• Investigate complaints, process deviations and non-conforming products; identify root causes, recommend corrective and preventive actions, and follow up implementation.
• Support internal and external audits, and the validation or performance review of new or changed products and processes.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and review quality trends to recommend product and process improvements.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Performance Details: OKR Areas

• Customer Satisfaction-20%
• Continuous improvement-15%
• Product Development -15%
• Creativity and team work-15%
• Sensory evaluation-15%

Competencies and Attributes

• Integrity
• Communication
• Team Fit
• Work Ethics
• Dependability

Minimum Qualifications, Regulatory & Legal Requirements

Academic

Diploma or degree in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Biotechnology or a related applied science field.

Professional

Training or practical knowledge in laboratory analytical techniques and beverage quality testing is an advantage. HACCP and relevant ISO food safety or quality systems training is also an advantage.

Work Experience

At least two years of relevant quality assurance or quality control experience in FMCG food or beverage manufacturing.

• Sample and test raw materials, in-process products and finished products against approved specifications; record results and escalate deviations.
• Monitor production controls, hygiene and food safety practices for compliance with approved procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices and applicable requirements.
• Conduct approved chemical and microbiological tests on raw materials, finished products, food-contact surfaces and personnel, as required.
• Maintain quality procedures, testing SOPs, data forms, equipment logbooks, inventory records and accurate quality reports.
• Investigate complaints, process deviations and non-conforming products; identify root causes, recommend corrective and preventive actions, and follow up implementation.
• Support internal and external audits, and the validation or performance review of new or changed products and processes.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and review quality trends to recommend product and process improvements.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor.

• Laboratory analytical techniques
• Beverage quality testing
• Chemical testing
• Microbiological testing
• Sensory evaluation
• Quality assurance and quality control
• Root cause analysis
• Corrective and preventive actions
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Dependability

• Diploma or degree in Food Science and Technology, Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Biotechnology or a related applied science field.
• Training or practical knowledge in laboratory analytical techniques and beverage quality testing is an advantage.
• HACCP and relevant ISO food safety or quality systems training is also an advantage.