Fondile Zuko

Experience

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  Pioneer Foods

  Jul 2015 - Jul 2016

  Quality Assurer/Controller

  Main purpose of the jobTo establish, maintain, ensure adherence to the Food Safety & Quality Standards as always required in the facility, and to manage all resources required to achieve this objectiveObjectives, Key Tasks and Major Functions• Online Quality Control in Process & Communication - Submit reports as per product line with specifications & indicate deviations in quality control. • Quality Assurance - Conduct QC-in tests/analysis for incoming raw materials according to procedure & parameters. • Shelf-life samples - Complete daily shelf-life sample procedure accordingly and timeously (traceability). • Rejects - Raise non-conformances & report/communicate to staff & team timeously according to material specifications and deviations.• Basic auditing & document control - Executing internal audit process and helping to review and update procedures to relevant internal requirements.• Hygiene - Conduct daily and weekly hygiene audits and capture data on tempo and communicate results and deviations. • Other QC tasks - Microbiological sampling finished product, water and air. Conduct Lab batches for alternative suppliers and shelf-life extension of the product. Show less

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  In2Food - Strand

  May 2018 - Jun 2019

  Factory Technologist

  Main purpose of the jobMaintain and continually improve the Quality control systems and Food SafetyProcedures.Objectives, Key Tasks and Major Functions• Maintenance of the total quality management and food safety system - Complete scheduled hygiene audits, allergen management, complete daily CCP checks. Creating work instructions and nuts and bolts inspection for new equipment.• Conformance to cleaning and sanitation program - Review internal cleaning schedule and audit cleaning chemical dosage verification.• Traceability – Conduct forward & backward traceability and product/process investigations by auditing Syspro traceability and processing for customer complaints and formulation specifications .• Problem-solving - Ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective action, preventing or limiting recurring incidents.• Lead - Manage and support Quality Controllers ensuring they are adequately trained and assessed.• Factory trials, pre-production and launches - Attend assigned factory trials (compiling trial recipes and notes from the trial). Check recipes against Syspro BOM and traceabilities to be used during production at the launches. Show less

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  Crown Food Group

  Jul 2019 - Feb 2024

  Product Development Technologist

  Managing, monitoring and creating recipes and seasonings of product development projects of meat category products [Fresh (Burgers & Sausages/Wors), Processed (Viennas, Kasegrillers, Polony, Russians, Frankfurters), Canned (Canned Meat), Dried (Biltong, Dry Wors, Salami) and Brines (Gammons, Chicken)] and pie fillings as per briefs or customers’ requirements.Objectives, Key Tasks and Major Functions• Developing & improving recipes/formulations on flavour, colour & functionality using spices, flavourants, colourants & functional ingredients.• Understanding customer briefs & create solutions. • Ensure all project trackers/systems are updated with relevant information and project status timeously.• Preparing own development samples (seasoning or final finished product).• Final product design and application, according to target costs and briefs received.• Preparing final product and application ideas for presenting to customers.• Conducting sensory evaluation/panel• Support commercial team by giving technical and market knowledge input to identify new business opportunities.• Support sales on strategic customer visits/provide training and partake in trials in the production environment (Internal & External).• Going to customers and do trials on factories.• Manage own projects – From brief/concept to launch/commercialization.• Drafting of technical documentation and product specifications. • Maintain documents and records of projects, formulations and raw materials.• Source new raw materials for new developments.• Provide technical expertise, advice and assistance pertaining to all Meat & Brines products and ingredients to customers.• Knowledge and understanding of the current food legislation requirements.• Compile product specifications and labels for new products which include ingredient declarations according to legislation.• Planning, execution and interpretation of sensory information internally and on behalf of customers. Show less

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  Clicks Group

  Nov 2023 - now

  Private Label Technologist

  Main purpose of the jobTo drive, protect and enhance the Clicks brand by taking responsibility for ensuring all food products developed and sourced as part of the NPD development plan and subsequently sold in stores are compliant and meets regulations whilst constantly striving to deliver increased profitability and growing the market share.Objectives, Key Tasks and Major Functions• To support the NPD team within their development plans to ensure quality and safety compliance across all Private Label development by adhering to legislation and NPD approval processes to protect the brand reputation and financial impact on the business.• Implement the Clicks Technical Standards of Operation (CTSO) into the supplier base whilst maintaining all quality processes and correct paperwork.• Ensure that product specs meet quality requirements by managing the database tracker and product specifications.• Review and communicate TQM results to relevant stakeholders for (including customer complaints, quality control results).• Ensure the China QA office is used for all export requirements and the approval process is followed..• Responsible for customer complaints/queries, red alerts, public product recall and product withdrawals.• Lead regulatory change – to manage new legislative requirements into the categories, communicate and ensure total compliance of this within product and packaging developments.• Manage relevant technical information to enable final sign off of projects for product and packaging compliance.• Check open book costings and identify opportunities to optimise costs and challenge fixed costs related to technical aspects for products (Value Chain Optimisation) re-engineering of products. Show less