JOB SUMMARY

The Quality Officer is responsible for ensuring that all products, processes, and retail operations at Earth and Ocean Ltd consistently meet the company's quality standards, food safety requirements (where applicable), regulatory obligations, and customer expectations. The role focuses on maintaining product integrity, reducing quality-related losses, ensuring compliance across stores and warehouses, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Conduct audits, inspections, supplier evaluations, complaint investigations, and training activities while collaborating closely with Store Managers, Warehouse Teams, Purchasing, and Suppliers.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 

1. Retail Quality Compliance and Operational Audits

·        Conduct scheduled and surprise quality audits across stores and distribution facilities.

·        Verify compliance with SOPs relating to product handling, merchandising, stock management, sanitation, and customer service standards.

·        Monitor implementation of corrective actions following audit findings.

·        Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, hygiene, and regulatory requirements.

·        Maintain audit records and quality compliance documentation.

 

2. Product Quality, Laboratory Testing, and Shelf-Life Management

·        Conduct routine inspections of products on shelves, in storage areas, and during receiving operations.

·        Coordinate product recalls and withdrawals when necessary.

·        Plan and coordinate laboratory testing programs (finished products, raw materials, environmental swabs, water and personnel hygiene).

·        Liaise with external laboratories where applicable.

·        Review and interpret test results.

·        Develop corrective action plans where required.

·        Maintain testing schedules and trend analysis.

 

3. Customer Complaints and Quality Incident Management

·        Manage investigations related to customer complaints concerning product quality and store standards.

·        Conduct root cause analysis and determine corrective actions.

·        Track complaint trends and identify recurring quality concerns.

·        Maintain detailed records of investigations and outcomes.

 

4. Food Safety, Hygiene, and Regulatory Compliance

·        Monitor hygiene practices in food handling and storage areas.

·        Maintain and support implementation of the HACCP system.

·        Participate in HACCP reviews and updates of hazard analysis.

·        Verify monitoring records and ensure proper completion.

·        Support validation and verification activities.

·        Organise and coordinate HACCP meetings.

·        Conduct sanitation inspections.

·        Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and company requirements.

·        Verify temperature monitoring records and storage conditions.

·        Support external regulatory inspections and audits.

 

5. Quality Training and Employee Awareness

·        Conduct quality awareness training for store and warehouse teams.

·        Deliver refresher training on SOPs, food safety, and quality standards.

·        Support onboarding of new employees regarding quality requirements.

·        Develop educational materials and quality communication campaigns.

 

6. Reporting and Continuous Improvement

·        Prepare quarterly quality reports.

·        Analyze trends relating to audits, complaints, waste, and supplier performance.

·        Recommend operational improvements based on quality data.

·        Participate in continuous improvement projects across the business.

·        Review and update procedures and records as required.

·        Ensure proper completion, accuracy and filing of relevant records.

·        Support document control activities.

 

 

7. Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Management

·        Record all quality non-conformities identified through audits, inspections, or complaints.

·        Conduct root cause analysis using recognized quality methodologies.

·        Develop CAPA plans with responsible departments.

·        Monitor implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.

·        Report unresolved risks to management.

 

 

8. Supplier Quality Management

·        Monitor supplier compliance with quality requirements.

·        Assess product quality during receiving and supplier deliveries.

·        Document supplier-related quality issues and initiate corrective actions.

·        Participate in supplier audits and performance reviews.

·        Collaborate with Procurement to improve supplier quality performance.

 

 

9. Calibration and Traceability

·        Monitor calibration schedules for critical equipment (e.g., thermometers, weighing scales, processing equipment).

·        Coordinate with maintenance and external service providers.

·        Ensure calibration and maintenance records are properly maintained.

·        Raise alerts for overdue activities.

·        Conduct mock traceability and recall exercises.

·        Coordinate traceability demonstrations during audits.

·        Maintain traceability documentation and verification records.

 

 

10. OTHERS

• Any other cognate duties as may be necessary in the circumstances and/or required by the employer.

 

 CANDIDATE'S PROFILE

Qualifications Required:

·        Minimum 3 years' experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Compliance, or Retail Operations.

·        Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Quality management, Food Science, Retail Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline.

·        Experience in supermarket, hypermarket, food retail, FMCG, or distribution environments is preferred.

 

Key competences (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, Behaviours):

·        Knowledge of quality management systems and auditing techniques.

·        Understanding of retail operations and inventory management.

·        Knowledge of food safety standards and hygiene practices.

·        Strong analytical and reporting skills.

·        Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.

·        Attention to detail.

·        Integrity and professionalism.

·        Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

·        Problem-solving and analytical thinking.

·        Ability to influence and collaborate across departments.

·        Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.