Food Safety and Quality Officer

About Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is the country’s leading producer of raw, refined and speciality sugars, employing more than 9,000 people. It is part of the Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc (ABF).

Duties and responsibilities

• 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 and Operational Prerequisite Programmes according to approved procedures.
• Verify that corrective actions are implemented when critical or operational limits are exceeded.
• Inspect employee hygiene and protective clothing, and monitor compliance with handwashing, access control and personal hygiene requirements in food-handling areas.
• Inspect incoming raw materials and packaging materials against approved specifications.
• Collect representative samples according to approved sampling procedures.
• Conduct visual, physical, chemical or other approved tests.
• Place potentially non-conforming materials on temporary hold in accordance with delegated authority and procedure.
• Report deviations immediately to the Production team and the Food Safety and Quality Business Partner.
• Conduct required physical, chemical, microbiological, sensory and packaging assessments within the officer’s authorised competence.
• Support investigations into consumer and customer complaints.
• Promote and adhere to Illovo’s procedures, policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

Qualifications and experience

• Diploma or equivalent technical qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Quality, Manufacturing or a related field.
• 2 to 4 years’ experience in food, beverage, sugar or process manufacturing quality or food safety.
• Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP principles, sampling, basic laboratory methods, traceability, non-conformance control, root-cause tools and document control.

Skills and competencies

• Demonstrated integrity, attention to detail, constructive challenge, communication, teamwork, learning agility and disciplined follow-through.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to work shifts, enter production areas and handle approved sampling and testing equipment.

How to apply

Send your application letter together with a detailed CV, copies of relevant certificates, traceable referees and your National ID to:

The Human Resources Mill Head
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) Plc
Private Bag 50
Blantyre

Or by email: [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Closing date: 19 November 2026

Equal opportunities and safeguarding

Illovo is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply.