Division: Compliance

Reference Number: QAP-08-23

Grade: C3

Closing Date: 24 August 2023

Purpose of the job
The Quality Assurance Practitioner reports to SHEP Manager and is mainly responsible for
coordinating, coaching and actively promoting NCP’s quality programme at the plants which is
necessary for the achievement of quality objectives of the plant and customer satisfaction.
The incumbent is the plant’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the ISO-9001 and quality systems, he/she
ensures that NCP’s systems, policies, processes, and procedures are adhered to by all at the plant
and that the final product meets required specification.
The incumbent must serve as a quality representative to improve awareness, visibility, and
communication on quality initiatives in support of departmental, functional, site, divisional and corporate
quality goals, and priorities.
The abovementioned activities shall be conducted in compliance with the Occupational Health and
Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993 and all relevant NCP policies and procedures.
Key performance area

1. Maintenance of quality systems, and practices which meet customer requirements.

• Coaches the plant personnel in the use of Quality Systems for achievement of Quality
  Objectives.
• Identifies possibilities for improvement through customer feedback and through
  Business-driven programs.
• Works together with the plant personnel to identify problems and increase quality by
  monitoring using statistical process control tools.
• Ensure product traceability data is accessible and fit for purpose.
• Take part in the checking of plant activities with potential effects on the product quality.
• Ensure effective application of quality risk management.

1. Handling of non-conforming product and customer complaints.

• Conduct preliminary investigations as soon as customer complaints are received; collect
  all the information that are required during the RCI before the scheduled RCI date. COA,
  MOT checklist, IPS, loading information as well as laboratory results.
• Lead root cause investigations on customer complaints and internal quality related
  incidents and ensures the proper root cause is identified to prevent a recurrence.
• Assists the Production Engineer and Section Manager in the validation of the
  effectiveness of completed corrective actions.
• Completes effective corrective actions and documents them as complete by noting the
  date completed and a description of exactly what was done to complete the corrective
  action.
• Monitors the quality status of the individual raw materials such as salt, paraplex, and
  paraffin with relevant stakeholders.

1. Adherence to Quality Standards (ISO 9001, NSF)

• Coordinates the implementation of ISO quality systems for process plants and the overall
  business.
• Actively participates in all quality related audits, (internal, external, customer, service
  provider).
• Conducts quality related self-audits with the ISO 9001 management system and the NSF
  60 standard.
• Ensures that corrective actions to internal and external audits are submitted timeously.
• Facilitates the corrective action management process for ISO 9001 related non-
  conformances.
• Ensures operating procedures and guidelines fulfil the quality requirements of the
  business.
• Co-ordinates the updating / revision of the documents, and reports to management on
  the status of the document system.
• Ensures compliance with the quality policy and procedures.

1. Management of the plant laboratories and compliance to relevant standards.

• Creates, validates, and processes measurements for monitoring key plant quality control
  points.
• Train plant personnel on production quality requirements such as record keeping,
  laboratory execution work in accordance with ISO 9001 and NSF60 self-audit schedules.
• Manage laboratory chemicals and equipment and ensure compliance to ISO 9001, ISO
  45001 and ISO 14001 standards on a daily basis.
• Conducts risk assessments on the plant laboratory tasks.
• Ensures that all chemicals used in the plant are handled and disposed of properly, as
  specified in the chemical SDS instructions.

1. General Quality Management

• Estimates the quality costs of product rework as well as the overall quality costs for
  product failures (Price of Non-Conformance, PONC).
• Collates quality data and ensures that statistical process control charts are trended and
  evaluated to raise quality awareness and focus on process improvement.
• Coordinates and reports on product quality performance and the quality management
  system monthly.
• Provides quality and technical custodianship and transfer technical best practices to
  production.
• Monitors compliance to quality plans by production personnel through regular self-audits
  and reporting.
• Oversees investigations into unusual incidents involving quality and cost (including
  service quality).
• Completes and submits the RCI report on time.
• Assists with process capability studies as required.
• Verify adherence to process and plant equipment calibration schedules during self-audits
  to ensure compliance.
• Provides guidance on the use of methods/tools to improve quality performance.
• Ensure that employees follow all existing quality procedures, test methods, and
  equipment.
• Coordinates with production, maintenance, and procurement to resolve incompatible
  material of construction-related quality issues.
• Coordinates with production, maintenance, and procurement to resolve equipment-
  related quality issues.
• Develops and implements a quality control plan.
• Related SHERQ responsibilities

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Knowledge of Regulation of Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA)
• Knowledge of GHS Labelling
• Knowledge of Risk Management and conducting Risk Assessments
• Experience in writing reports and policies for health and safety.
• Familiarity with conducting data analysis and reporting statistics.
• Experience in conducting Root Cause Investigations (RCI)
• Knowledge of NSF 60 standard (ideal)
• Excellent analytical skills
• Planning and organizational skills
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present and explain quality topics.
• Computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
  Behavioural Competencies
• Have good persuasion skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Proactive problem-solving abilities – use initiative
• Good time management skills – deadline driven.
• Self-motivated, energetic, and positive
• Good team player yet can also work independently.
• High level of integrity
• Able to handle conflict management.
• Reliable / responsible / dependable / trustworthy
• Focus on best business practice and ethics.
• Quality and results oriented.
• Be able to physically walk between plant lab, main labs, production plants etc (a must)

Experience

• Minimum 5 years Quality Experience.
• Minimum 3 years Chemical Manufacturing Environment.
  Qualifications:
• Matric with Science and Mathematics.
• National Diploma in Total Quality Management
• ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 implementation accreditation training
  Reporting structure:
• This position reports to the SHEP Manager.
  Personal Circumstances:
• Must be able to obtain a satisfactory medical report from the companies’ medical centre.
• May be required to be on standby.

Other requirements:
Please ensure:

• That the application form is fully completed and attached with your CV.
• That the reference number and/or position name of this advertisement is quoted on your
  application form.
• That recently certified copies of all qualifications referred to on your application form and cv,
  are submitted.
• Applications can be handed in at the HR offices (Head Office) or sent electronically on or before
  the closing date.
• Only applications that are submitted to HR directly will be considered.
  Failure to comply with the above requirements will result in your application being disqualified
  Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply, should the applicant be successful the incumbent
  will be reasonably accommodated depending on the inherent requirements of the job.
  All applicants are thanked in advance for showing interest however correspondences will only be
  entered into with the shortlisted candidates.
  Closing date: 24 August 2023
  CV’s to be sent to: careers@ncp.co.za
  Recruitment for this position will be conducted with the intention progressing our Employment
  Equity policy, targets and objectives. The Company reserves the right not to fill this position.