Technical Officer

At Koko Black, we celebrate locality, sourcing the highest quality ingredients from Australia, and around the world. We believe in the passionate craftsmanship of our expert chocolatiers. We say hello to natural, and goodbye to all the nasties.

Passion, Leadership, Ownership and Trust are our guiding values.

**Purpose**

Reporting to the QA & Food Technology Manager, the Technical Officer's purpose is to monitor, evaluate and manage quality systems and people within the Koko Black Creative Centre and Koko Black retail stores to ensure all products and processes meet the required specifications and quality measures, and are compliant with food safety and legislative requirements. Site standards include HACCP, council requirements and embedding a structured and robust food safety culture.

**Specifications & Artwork Approvals**
- Responsible for the maintenance of all BAU and seasonal technical and packaging specifications.
- Engage meaningfully and assist in driving new product development in collaboration with the new product development team, marketing, sales, retail, finance and operational departments
- Manage the investigation and continuous improvement of the response and root cause analysis process for customer complaints and queries

**Quality**
- Drive continuous quality improvements to ensure quality standards are adhered to throughout the manufacturing, distribution and sales process.
- Maintain compliance with internal and regulatory quality management systems.
- Conduct risk assessments throughout each stage of the manufacturing process and report findings to the QA & Food Technology Manager including suggestions for resolution.
- Write and implement quality, procedures and training plans.
- Maintain Quality systems, Prerequisite Programs and QA Database
- Assess and approve new raw materials and ensure adherence to specifications for the Koko Black Creative Centre and defined quality and food safety standards.
- Ensure compliance to our approved supplier program for all suppliers to the site.
- Maintain regular complaint trend analysis and reporting and provide recommendations to the QA & Food Technology Manager for improvement.
- Support the QA & Food Technology Manager to develop a culture of food safety accountability for production staff through GMP audits and quality training.
- Support the QA & Food Technology Manager for both food tech and quality assurance improvement project/initiatives

**Equipment and Process Improvement**
- Audit new production areas, equipment and processes when implemented to ensure GMP and food safety requirements are met.
- Investigate reasons for quality process failures (time, quality and material losses) and undertake most effective steps to eliminate them.
- Conduct and implement continuous improvement and training sessions with operators.
- Implement continuous Improvement and workplace organizations to tackle identified improvement activities.
- Manage calibration of equipment in conjunction with the QA & Food Technology Manager and Team Leaders.

**People and Culture**
- Educate all people involved with Koko Black product within the Creative Centre and in our stores on food safety standards.
- Ensure relevant procedures and reference documents are kept up to date and available at all times.
- Source, interpret and communicate technical information to the business as appropriate.
- Provide support to the business and the QA & Food Technology Manager as required.
- Embed a food safety and quality communication culture across the Koko Black business.
- Lead and drive cultural change across the Koko Black business through quality initiatives.

**Skills and Attributes**
- Is present and engaged at all times with production, warehouse, Support Office and retail employees to drive positive change.
- Aims to drive the Koko Black business forward with high impact and targeted initiatives.

**Qualifications**
- Principles and Applications of HACCP training
- Food Safety Supervisor training
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Science/Food Science

**Experience**
- Proven food safety and quality skills in the food/FMCG industry (5 years minimum)
- Excellent knowledge of food safety and quality management systems
- Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to drive positive culture change
- Excellent attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Effective time management and planning skills
- Results focussed
- Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a team environment
- Excellent database management and MS Office skills

Koko Black offers an innovative, inclusive and collaborative workplace. All employees receive a generous discount on our product. This is your opportunity to be a part of our ongoing journey of growth and improvement.