Food Safety Certifier

Control Union South Africa is part of the global Control Union network, providing inspection, certification, and auditing services across the agriculture, food, feed, forestry, and sustainability sectors. We are committed to integrity, independence, and technical excellence in certification services.

The Role

We are seeking a Certifier to join our Food Safety team in Cape Town. The role monitors quality and evaluates the performance of food safety certifications in accordance with scheme requirements and internal company procedures, while providing technical support to clients, auditors and administrative staff.

The successful candidate will assess audit quality and timelines, perform certification activities, and apply food safety scheme requirements objectively and consistently.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to staff and clients regarding scheme rules and internal company procedures
• Assess auditor performance through technical reviews, including timeline adherence and report quality
• Perform technical reviews and make certification decisions
• Approve contracting documentation and monitor client and auditor timelines for the region
• Conduct training and assist with ensuring auditor qualifications remain up to date
• Maintain consistent adherence to Key Performance Indicators and applicable certification procedures

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, or comparable level through training or experience, in a food-related, bioscience, science or engineering discipline
• Minimum 5 years’ post-qualification experience in the food industry in quality assurance, product safety, technical management, risk management, food safety consulting or conformity assessment
• FSMS/QMS Lead Auditor course, recognised scheme training (BRCGS and FSSC), and HACCP training of at least 2 days

Required Competencies & Attributes

• Strong analytic Strong spoken and written English, with excellent reading comprehension and communication skills
• Analitical and critical thinking, problem-solving, root cause and extent analysis skills
• Accurate, detail-oriented, organised and effective in planning and time management
• Self-motivated, proactive, reliable, decisive, ethical and independent
• Effective communication, coordination and decision-making skills
• Culturally sensitive and professional when engaging with internal and external stakeholders
• Working knowledge of food safety systems and standards, including BRCGS, FSSC, ISO 22000 and Vegan schemes/standards
• Knowledge of food safety regulation, Codex Alimentarius HACCP principles, food fraud and food defence
• Proficient in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams; able to conduct effective internet research

Preferred Experience & Training

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in the fish industry. Two years’ certification experience in a certifier role within an assessment body related to food safety programmes, preferably GFSI-recognised schemes, will be advantageous. ISO 17021, ISO 17065, ISO 22003-1:2022 and ISO 22003-2:2022 training is also desirable.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter to:

Rozanne Willaims

Email: rwilliams@controlunion.com

Please add Vacancy: Food Safety Certifier in subject line.