Job Description
It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
Work Experience Student (WES) – Day Laboratory Roles and Responsibilities
The Work Experience Students (WES) within the Day Laboratory play a critical support role in ensuring effective laboratory operations, governance, compliance, and continuous improvement within the Quality Department. The role is designed to provide practical exposure and hands-on experience across quality, food safety, sensory, microbiological, and governance systems while supporting operational excellence on site.
Core Areas of Responsibility
Management of the water testing bench
Management of the sample retention store and shelf-life evaluation programme
Support incoming raw material and packaging material testing
Raising food safety risks, observations, and non-conformances
Supporting PRP/GMP audits and governance activities
Participation in sensory evaluation and investigative activities
Support food safety, quality, hygiene, and MECP programmes
Daily Activities (Approximate Time Allocation)
Water Testing Bench Management
Conduct routine water sampling and testing as per the site sampling schedule: 1 hour
Ensure adherence to daily, weekly, monthly, and annual water sampling plans: 30 minutes
Record, interpret, trend, and communicate water testing results and deviations: 45 minutes
Escalate out-of-specification results and support investigations: 30 minutes
Retention Store and Shelf-Life Management
Verify that previous day production samples are accounted for against carousel reports and warehouse receipts: 45 minutes
Organize and maintain retention samples for ease of traceability and retrieval: 30 minutes
Conduct shelf-life evaluations including packaging integrity (PPQA), labelling verification, visual inspections, and flavour stability assessments: 1 hour
Trend retention sample quality and identify emerging concerns or deterioration patterns: 30 minutes
Report and escalate shelf-life or retention-related deviations timeously: 30 minutes
Incoming Material Support
Support raw and packaging material inspections and testing activities: 1 hour
Assist with sample collection, preparation, and documentation: 30 minutes
Food Safety, Quality and Governance
Participate in GEMBA walkabouts and governance routines: 30 minutes
Raise food safety, quality, environmental, and safety observations and risks: 15 minutes
Conduct Planned Job Observations (PJOs): 30 minutes
Participate in daily food safety, quality, and safety meetings/activities: 30 minutes
Maintain housekeeping and 5S standards within assigned work areas: 15 minutes
Sensory and Tasting Activities
Participate in daily, weekly, and ADHOC tasting sessions including warehouse release, profiling, flavour stability, and investigative tastings: 1 hour
Support sensory investigations including triangular tests, paired comparisons, and retention sample evaluations: 45 minutes
Weekly Activities
Review and trend water, shelf-life, and sensory data and communicate concerns: 1 hour
Participate in PRP/GMP audits and hygiene inspections: 1 hour
Support internal laboratory, plant, and 3PM audit preparation activities: 1 hour
Assist in updating SOPs, checklists, forms, and One-Point Lessons (OPLs): 1 hour
Participate in root cause investigations and problem-solving sessions: 1 hour
Participate in MECP activities and assigned pillar support activities: 1 hour
Monthly Activities
Participate in internal and external audit preparation and execution: 2–3 hours
Conduct monthly retention sample reviews and trend analysis: 2 hours
Review effectiveness of sampling plans and recommend improvements: 1 hour
Participate in food safety and quality culture initiatives: 1 hour
Participate in training sessions and practical development interventions: 2 hours
Personal Development Responsibilities
Drive personal development and execution of Individual Development Plans (IDPs/PDPs)
Manage academic obligations responsibly and communicate support requirements proactively
Participate actively in all assigned training and coaching opportunities
Build competence in laboratory systems, sensory evaluation, food safety, and governance processes
MECP Responsibilities
Support assigned MECP pillar activities and deliverables
Support assigned Quality pillar blocks and governance routines
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and loss reduction activities
Safety and 5S Responsibilities
Raise and close SROs where applicable (Safety, Environmental, Food Safety, and Quality observations)
Maintain good housekeeping and cleanliness standards within allocated areas
Champion 5S practices and compliance within the laboratory environment
Ensure compliance with PPE, hygiene, and laboratory safety requirements at all times
Qualification Required
Diploma/Advanced diploma/Degree in Biotechnology, Analytical Chemistry/Microbiology/Biochemistry
In accordance with the employment equity plan of Tiger Brands and its employment equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited, to candidates from under-represented designated groups.