Quality Control Officer

Position Role & Focus:

The Quality Control (QC) Officer is responsible for ensuring complete quality control across all stages of agro-processing operations. This includes incoming raw materials, in-process processing, hygienic monitoring, finished goods inspection, and lab coordination. The role demands full-time factory floor presence, strict adherence to BRCGS/HACCP guidelines, and close collaboration with production teams.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Intake Quality Control

All incoming raw materials, processing aids, additives, chemicals, equipment, and packaging materials are inspected against approved specifications. Delivery documentation, supplier identification, traceability information, and compliance certificates are verified. Nonconforming materials are identified, segregated, documented, and reported immediately to the Quality Assurance Manager.

In-Process Quality Control

Conduct inline checks for critical production stages: ripening, washing, peeling, slicing, spreading, sulphiting, drying, cooling, removing, sorting, sizing, packing, and storage. Monitor fruit quality parameters (brix, moisture, water activity, texture, defects, SO2). Ensure adherence to approved SOPs and train shop-floor workers on food safety specifications.

Food Safety Monitoring

Monitor CCPs, oPRPs, and control measures per the food safety plan. Verify compliance with personal hygiene, PPE protocols, and hand-washing practices. Complete routine inspections of production areas, equipment, utensils, and food contact surfaces while verifying cleaning and disinfection activities. Report incidents promptly.

Finished Product QC & Dispatch

Inspect all finished goods against customer and internal specifications prior to release. Verify packaging integrity, seal quality, pack weight, label accuracy, and presentation. Inspect export containers per checklist before loading. Complete and verify all dispatch documentation (dispatch check sheet, COA, loading sheet, packing list).

Sampling & Laboratory Coordination

Collect representative samples (raw, WIP, finished product) as per the sampling plan. Conduct in-house laboratory testing and accurately document results. Maintain laboratory equipment in good working order, perform scheduled calibration/verification, and manage real-time inventory of lab consumables for timely replenishment.

Traceability & Record Keeping

Ensure raw materials, WIP, packaging, and finished goods are properly identified and tracked across the workflow. Immediately report traceability gaps or missing batch codes. Maintain precise production/QC inspection sheets, lab reports, product release checklists, and NCRs, verifying record accuracy daily prior to QAM submission.

Certification, Audits & Inspections

Support continuous implementation of BRCGS standards, HACCP plans, and operating procedures. Maintain audit readiness for customer, regulatory, and thirdparty inspections. Execute assigned internal audits on time, assist in audit finding closures, and verify corrective action implementation.

Nonconformance & CAPA Support

Identify and document nonconformances (product specifications, hygiene, or process parameter deviations). Participate in root-cause analysis (RCA) and support implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). Assist in investigating customer complaints by preparing relevant quality data and historical logs.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

Active participation in site quality improvement initiatives focused on reducing product defects, rejections, rework, product losses, and contamination risks. Support the Quality Assurance Manager in compiling daily, weekly, and monthly quality performance reports

JOB SPECIFICATION

Degree or Diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related discipline.

Minimum of 1 to 2 years in food processing, agroprocessing, or fresh/dried fruit export operations with at least 2 to 3 months intensive internal onboarding covering product specs, lab procedures, BRCGS, and reporting tools.

Certifications in HACCP, BRCGS, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000, and Internal Auditing.

Valid Food Handlers Certificate and mandatory local statutory clearances

Proficiency in HACCP, GMP, BRCGS, and EU food safety standards.

Understanding of dried fruit physical and chemical parameters.

Experience in sampling, lab testing, and equipment calibration.

Strong root cause analysis (RCA) and CAPA resolution skills.

High attention to detail with robust documentation capabilities.

Integrity, resilience, and operational focus under seasonal pressure.