Background

CCBA is the 8th largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. With over 14 000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 800 000 customers with a host of international and local brands. CCBA group operates in 14 countries: South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and the islands of Comoros and Mayotte

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) presents an exciting opportunity for a Microbiologist, to join the Supply Chain team at Coca -Cola Kwanza in Mbeya, Tanzania. The role will report to the SHEQ Manager.

The primary role of the Microbiologist is to ensure GMP standards are met on total site and ensure product hygiene standards are maintained.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct microbiological testing of raw materials, in-process products, finished products, water, and environmental samples.
• Monitor hygiene and sanitation standards within production and laboratory areas.
• Investigate microbial contamination incidents and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP, and local regulations).
• Perform environmental monitoring and trend analysis to identify potential microbiological risks.
• Validate cleaning, sanitation, and sterilization procedures.
• Prepare and maintain microbiological records, reports, and laboratory documentation.
• Support internal and external quality audits and regulatory inspections.
• Train employees on microbiological awareness, hygiene, and food safety best practices.
• Participate in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives related to product quality and food safety.
• Manage laboratory equipment calibration, maintenance, and verification activities.
• Assist in developing and reviewing quality assurance procedures, specifications, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor water treatment systems and verify microbiological quality of process water.
• Coordinate with production, quality, and engineering teams to minimize contamination risks and ensure product integrity.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and microbiological validation of new products or processes.

Judgement and decision making

• Agile in thinking and nimble in decision making
• Adept at discerning and balancing the most important priorities (simplifies complexity)
• Simplifies the decision-making process for self and others
• Efficiently applies rigour and operating discipline to ensure decisions are made on a timely basis
• Exhibits high level of commercial pragmatism and prudent commercial judgment
• Thrives in ambiguity and effectively applies sound intuition/judgment
• Assesses and makes clear trade-offs when making critical decisions
• Applies a broad base of knowledge and experience to solve complex issues
• Proven ability to foresee and take action against potential risks to the business/system as a whole

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement: Diploma in Food Technology, Biology, Microbiology
• Added advantage: Honours degree – Food Technology and/or Microbiology

Experience

• Minimum 2 years in food processing plant as Microbiologist

Competencies

• Advanced Computer Skills
• Accountability
• Assertiveness
• Compliance, Governance and Ethics
• Detail Focused
• Independence
• Problem Solving & Analysis (conceptualising)
• Routine /Discipline
• Self-motivation
• Strong cognitive skills (judgment; analytical skills)
• Strong Organisational Process / Systems Awareness & Integration
• Team player

• Conduct microbiological testing of raw materials, in-process products, finished products, water, and environmental samples.
• Monitor hygiene and sanitation standards within production and laboratory areas.
• Investigate microbial contamination incidents and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (HACCP, ISO 22000, GMP, and local regulations).
• Perform environmental monitoring and trend analysis to identify potential microbiological risks.
• Validate cleaning, sanitation, and sterilization procedures.
• Prepare and maintain microbiological records, reports, and laboratory documentation.
• Support internal and external quality audits and regulatory inspections.
• Train employees on microbiological awareness, hygiene, and food safety best practices.
• Participate in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives related to product quality and food safety.
• Manage laboratory equipment calibration, maintenance, and verification activities.
• Assist in developing and reviewing quality assurance procedures, specifications, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor water treatment systems and verify microbiological quality of process water.
• Coordinate with production, quality, and engineering teams to minimize contamination risks and ensure product integrity.
• Conduct shelf-life studies and microbiological validation of new products or processes.

• Advanced Computer Skills
• Accountability
• Assertiveness
• Compliance, Governance and Ethics
• Detail Focused
• Independence
• Problem Solving & Analysis (conceptualising)
• Routine /Discipline
• Self-motivation
• Strong cognitive skills (judgment; analytical skills)
• Strong Organisational Process / Systems Awareness & Integration
• Team player
• Agile in thinking and nimble in decision making
• Adept at discerning and balancing the most important priorities (simplifies complexity)
• Simplifies the decision-making process for self and others
• Efficiently applies rigour and operating discipline to ensure decisions are made on a timely basis
• Exhibits high level of commercial pragmatism and prudent commercial judgment
• Thrives in ambiguity and effectively applies sound intuition/judgment
• Assesses and makes clear trade-offs when making critical decisions
• Applies a broad base of knowledge and experience to solve complex issues
• Proven ability to foresee and take action against potential risks to the business/system as a whole

• Diploma in Food Technology, Biology, Microbiology
• Honours degree – Food Technology and/or Microbiology