Leoni Plessis Email & Phone Number

South Africa

Provide leadership, training and guidance to a team of food technologists, accommodating focused disciplines for Astral Owned Brands, Retail Brands and Quick Service Restaurants / Food Service Customers, across 6 manufacturing sites and 3 co-packers. Establish the company’s technical procedures, standards and specificationsAnalyze production methods by gathering relevant data and produce statistical reportsBuild strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure that technical data requirements are understood and delivered uponMaintain the technical project register and provide technical support for improvement of existing products and development of new products from concept to launchConduct product trials at production facilities as well as manage all technical projectsAdvise on legal requirements for product branding and review competitor benchmark exercisesLead product related projects and assist, review and advise on new equipment required including trial equipment with new installationsSpearhead the standardisation of product specifications across the commercial divisionMaintain the barcode banks for each business unit in accordance to GS1 requirements and facilitate product listingsManage the departmental operating budget and expenses including conversion costsLiaise with government officials, national regulator for compulsory specifications, consumer goods ombudsman and industry bodies on product technical matters

South Africa

Undertake and oversee all duties relating to Quality Assurance for AFGRI Poultry’s abattoirsIntroduce a strategic direction and quality focused mindset and ensure all performance indicators are monitored and regularly reported onEnsure sites are compliant with all current legislation and implement quality assurance methods and processesCoordinate external laboratory analysisProvide technical support and liaise with abattoir management on deviationsMeasure and improve product quality, ensuring all goods are examined to ensure compliance with specificationMaintain all policies and procedures, ensuring that all products meet food safety and quality standards, including all prevailing legislative requirementsManage and investigate non-conformities and customer complaintsTrain, coach and motivate staff, promoting a culture of zero defectAssist Agricultural Services QA in supplier compliance to the abattoirsManage the departmental budget

South Africa

Ensure all prescribed food safety and hygiene programs are applied and implementedCollaborate with processing staff regarding deviations in production and provide recommendationsConduct trend analysis and recommend corrective actionsEvaluate current processes and systems and provide innovative ways to improve the manufacturing process ensuring a higher quality of goods