Website Food Safety Agency (Pty) ltd
Independent inspection. Trusted compliance. Safer food for South Africa.
Department: Independent Meat Inspection & Classification
Location: Regional / Field and Office-based, with travel as required
Hours: Operational hours as determined by site requirements, with flexibility for operational demands
Compensation: Fixed Salary — Market competitive and to be discussed during the interview process
Closing Date: 30 June 2026
About the Company
Food Safety Agency (Pty) Ltd is a recognised role player in the South African food safety, meat inspection and regulatory compliance environment. Our work supports consumer protection, industry integrity and the consistent application of relevant legislation, standards and operational requirements across multiple sites.
Food Safety Agency provides independent meat inspection, classification, APS quality inspections, laboratory testing and food safety training across various sectors of the food value chain.
As part of our continued operational growth, we are seeking a competent, driven and professional Regional Manager to join our Independent Meat Inspection & Classification Department.
This is an important operational leadership role suited to an individual who understands the abattoir environment, can manage people effectively, and is committed to impartial, compliant and professional service delivery.
Job Overview
The Regional Manager will be responsible for managing regional inspection operations, site personnel, client relationships, operational compliance and reporting requirements within the independent meat inspection and classification environment.
The successful candidate will be expected to lead teams across multiple sites, ensure that operational requirements are met, maintain professional relationships with clients and authorities, and support Food Safety Agency’s commitment to reliable, ethical and legally compliant inspection services.
This role requires a practical and organised leader who can make sound decisions, manage operational pressure and ensure that inspection and classification standards are consistently applied.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Management
The Regional Manager will oversee regional inspection operations and ensure that services are conducted in accordance with applicable legislation, inspection schemes, site requirements and Food Safety Agency procedures.
Key duties include:
- Ensuring that operational sites have the required number of suitably qualified personnel.
- Arranging suitable relief personnel where required.
- Ensuring that independent meat inspection and, where applicable, classification services are conducted according to legislative and operational requirements.
- Monitoring that inspection, classification, hygiene and operational documentation is completed and submitted timeously.
- Ensuring that relevant records, checklists, slaughter statistics, attendance registers and operational reports are maintained.
- Conducting site visits, personnel evaluations and operational reviews.
- Identifying operational risks, non-conformances or service delivery concerns and escalating matters where required.
- Supporting the consistent application of standards across all allocated sites.
Personnel Management
The Regional Manager will be responsible for leading and supporting inspection and classification personnel within the allocated region.
This includes:
- Assisting with recruitment, appointments, placement and onboarding of personnel.
- Conducting or supporting induction and internal refresher training.
- Monitoring leave, attendance, overtime and personnel documentation.
- Ensuring personnel records and appointment documentation are completed correctly.
- Supporting performance monitoring and personnel evaluations.
- Communicating personnel changes, disciplinary matters or operational concerns to Head Office.
- Promoting a culture of accountability, professionalism, impartiality and compliance.
Compliance and Reporting
The Regional Manager must ensure that all operational activities are aligned with applicable legislation, internal procedures and required reporting lines.
This includes:
- Supporting compliance with the Meat Safety Act, applicable regulations, the Independent Meat Inspection Scheme and related operational requirements.
- Ensuring that inspection and classification activities are performed independently and impartially.
- Maintaining accurate operational records and ensuring reports are submitted by required deadlines.
- Communicating findings, risks or operational concerns to the relevant internal and external parties.
- Supporting Food Safety Agency’s quality, compliance and governance requirements.
Client and Stakeholder Relations
The Regional Manager will play an important role in maintaining strong professional relationships with clients, abattoirs, regulatory stakeholders and internal departments.
This includes:
- Building and maintaining constructive relationships with abattoirs and clients.
- Supporting service delivery in line with contractual and operational expectations.
- Identifying client needs and communicating opportunities or concerns to management.
- Representing Food Safety Agency professionally during site visits and stakeholder engagements.
- Supporting the continued development and reputation of Food Safety Agency in the industry.
Financial and Administrative Support
The Regional Manager will also assist with relevant administrative and finance-related responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining and submitting vehicle log sheets.
- Using cost-effective travel, accommodation and relief arrangements.
- Assisting with debtor-related follow-up where required.
- Ensuring required documentation is submitted accurately and on time.
Education & Experience
Applicants should have one or more of the following qualifications:
- BTech: Environmental Health; or
- National Diploma: Environmental Health; or
- National Diploma: Animal Health with relevant meat inspection certification; or
- National Diploma: Meat Inspection; or
- Another relevant qualification applicable to the meat inspection, abattoir, food safety or regulatory environment.
Additional qualifications or experience in meat classification, poultry meat examination, food safety auditing, supervision, regulatory compliance or abattoir operations will be advantageous.
Required Experience
The ideal candidate should have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Meat inspection or abattoir operations.
- Independent meat inspection and/or classification.
- Personnel supervision or operational team management.
- Site-based compliance and reporting.
- Client liaison in a technical or regulatory environment.
- Working with legislation, standards, inspection schemes or operational procedures.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and people management ability.
- Good planning, organising and follow-up skills.
- Sound judgement and decision-making ability.
- Professional communication skills.
- Computer literacy.
- English literacy and report-writing ability.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Attention to detail in documentation and reporting.
- Practical problem-solving ability.
- Ethical conduct, impartiality and professionalism.
- Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with clients, site personnel and authorities.
Special Requirements
- Must be willing to travel as required.
- Must be willing to work overtime when operationally required.
- Must have knowledge of, or experience in, the meat inspection, abattoir, food safety or regulatory environment.
- Must maintain impartiality, independence and professional integrity in all inspection-related activities.
- A valid driver’s licence and reliable transport will be advantageous.
Why Join Us?
- Join an established organisation operating within the food safety, meat inspection and regulatory compliance environment.
- Take ownership of a responsible regional leadership role with real operational impact.
- Work in a structured, professional environment where compliance, service delivery and accountability matter.
- Gain exposure to operational management, regulatory compliance, client engagement and team leadership.
- Contribute to the consistent application of food safety and meat inspection standards within the South African meat industry.
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and supporting documentation.
Email: careers@afsq.co.za
Subject Line: Application: Regional Manager
Closing Date: 30 June 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Food Safety Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment should a suitable candidate not be identified.