Job description
POSTED BY MVUNGI JOB MASTER
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: ILLOVO SUGAR (MALAWI) PLC
Position: Food Safety & Quality Officer
Location: Nchalo
Organisational Unit: Manufacturing
Reports to: Food Safety & Quality Business Partner
Job Category: Permanent
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
ABOUT ILLOVO SUGAR (MALAWI) PLC
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Plc is the country's leading producer of raw, refined and specialty sugars, employing more than 9,000 people. The company is part of the Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc (ABF).
Illovo is inviting suitably qualified and experienced candidates to apply for the permanent position of Food Safety & Quality Officer at Nchalo.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will help maintain food safety and quality standards across manufacturing operations by monitoring compliance, conducting inspections and supporting quality control activities.
1. Food Safety Monitoring and Compliance
- Monitor compliance with approved food safety procedures across assigned operational areas.
- Conduct scheduled inspections of production, processing, packaging, storage and dispatch areas.
- Monitor Critical Control Points (CCPs) and Operational Prerequisite Programs in accordance with approved procedures.
- Verify that corrective actions are implemented whenever critical or operational limits are exceeded.
2. Hygiene and Food-Handling Standards
- Inspect employee hygiene, protective clothing and conduct in food-handling areas.
- Monitor compliance with handwashing, access control and personal hygiene requirements.
3. Raw Materials and Packaging Quality
- Inspect incoming raw materials and packaging materials against approved specifications.
- Collect representative samples in accordance with established sampling procedures.
- Conduct visual, physical, chemical and other approved tests.
- Place potentially non-conforming materials on temporary hold in line with delegated authority and established procedures.
4. Quality Testing and Reporting
- Conduct required physical, chemical, microbiological, sensory and packaging assessments within the officer's authorised competence.
- Immediately report deviations to the Production team and the Food Safety & Quality Business Partner.
- Support investigations into consumer and customer complaints.
5. Policies and Professional Conduct
- Promote and adhere to Illovo's procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), Competition Law, and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should possess the following qualifications, experience and competencies:
- A Diploma or equivalent technical qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Quality, Manufacturing or a related field.
- Two to four years of experience in quality or food safety within the food, beverage, sugar or process manufacturing industry.
- Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles, sampling, basic laboratory methods, traceability, non-conformance control, root-cause analysis tools and document control.
- Demonstrated integrity, attention to detail, communication skills, teamwork, willingness to learn, constructive challenge and disciplined follow-through.
- Computer literacy.
- Ability to work shifts, enter production areas and handle sampling and testing equipment.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- Application letter.
- Detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
- Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
- Details of traceable referees.
- Copy of National ID.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Human Resources Mill Head
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Plc
Private Bag 50
Blantyre, Malawi
Alternatively, applicants may submit their applications by email.
Email: nchalohr@illovoco.co.za
Application deadline: 30 October 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Plc is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply.
Important: The email address above is reproduced exactly as provided in the vacancy announcement. Applicants should verify it with Illovo before sending their documents, as the previous Illovo vacancy announcement supplied a different email address.
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