Job Description :

Job Title: Analytical Quality Lead

About us

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Bring your passion and use your curiosity as you explore, collaborate, and innovate to build brands consumers love. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you’ll test new ideas, learn and grow, and unlock a brighter, more exciting future.

Join us to create a career worth celebrating.

About the Function:

Our Supply Chain and Manufacturing team are problem-solvers, sourcing, producing, and delivering our much-loved brands to delight customers around the globe. Over half of Diageo’s 30,000+ people work in Supply Chain and Manufacturing. It’s an intricate and sophisticated operation that’s the product of logistical, manufacturing, and technical collaborations.

Our teams in 100 sites in over 30 countries cover production facilities, supplier relationships, customer collaborations and third-party agreements. We’re committed to realising our ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ goals, to protect the environment and support our farmers and suppliers. Whatever your skills and experience, we’ll help you to thrive in our inclusive culture.

Role Responsibilities:

1.

Leadership & Oversight:

• Supervise and schedule QA Technicians to ensure adequate lab coverage across shifts.

• Train, coach, and develop lab personnel in testing methods, documentation, and quality systems.

• Act as the first point of contact for lab-related issues and escalate to the Quality Manager as necessary.

2. Laboratory Operations

• Oversee daily lab testing (analytical, microbiological, and sensory as applicable) to ensure accurate and timely results.

• Verify calibration, maintenance, and performance of lab equipment (e.g., densitometers, GC, HPLC, alcohol meters).

• Maintain laboratory SOPs and ensure all testing is performed according to approved methods.

• Manage sample retention, reagents, and consumables inventory.

• BTM (Brand Technical Manual) Compliance and verification

• Assist with the stock take in the laboratory as well as maintenance of equipment

3.

Quality Systems Support:

• Ensure compliance with company quality standards, HACCP, ISO, Codex, FSSC and regulatory requirements.

• Review and approve test results and batch release documentation.

• Participate in internal audits, root cause analysis, and CAPA investigations.

• Support continuous improvement projects aimed at process capability, yield, and product consistency.

• Ensure update of Laboratory and Quality procedures for easy access to all, as well as maintenance thereof

4.

Communication & Reporting:

• Communicate daily quality results and deviations to production and management.

• Prepare periodic lab performance reports and trend analyses.

• Collaborate with production, blending and engineering teams on corrective actions and process improvements.

• “Continuous improvement” metrics such as lab turnaround time, deviation closure rate, 100 Year Fixes and sustainable solutions.

5. Performance Management

• Lead performance management for laboratory personnel, including setting objectives, monitoring KPIs, conducting performance reviews, and supporting development plans.

• Provide regular feedback and coaching to improve technical competency, accuracy, and efficiency.

Experience / skills required:

• MSc/ Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Microbiology, Food Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3–5 years of experience in quality assurance or laboratory roles in the beverage, food, or spirits industry.

• ISO 17025 Lead Auditor Experience

• Strong knowledge of analytical and quality testing methods.

• Leadership experience (formal or informal) in a lab environment preferred.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Digital lab data systems (LIMS, SPC trending)

Diversity statement:

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mindsets, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to the next level and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world.

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you.

Worker Type :

Regular

Primary Location:

Isipingo

Additional Locations :

Job Posting Start Date:

2026-02-25