Junior Nutritionist - Qpro Feeds, Bethlehem

VKB

Bethlehem, Free State

Full-time

Posted 1 hour ago

Full-time Agriculture & Forestry

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Job Description

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About Qpro Feeds

QPro Feeds is a dynamic Animal Feed Manufacturing business with a facility in both Bethlehem and Vrede. We are responsible for producing animal feed to in-house clients as well as external clients in the monogastric and ruminant fields.

Why this role matters?

Join QPro Feeds and help shape the quality and performance of animal feed that supports farmers and livestock producers across the region. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate animal science graduate or early-career professional to gain hands-on experience in feed formulation, quality assurance, production support, and customer engagement. You'll work alongside experienced teams, contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, and build a strong foundation for a rewarding career in animal nutrition and feed manufacturing.

Why join VKB?
At VKB, your work contributes to something bigger than a production process. You become part of an organisation that supports South African agriculture, creates opportunities for rural communities and strengthens the food value chain from farm to consumer.

What success looks like?

You'll thrive in this role by helping deliver high-quality, nutritionally balanced feed, supporting smooth feed mill operations, and contributing to continuous improvement. Success means being a reliable team player who uses data, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills to support product performance, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

Who are we looking for

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented individual with a passion for animal nutrition and agriculture. You enjoy working with data, solving problems, and collaborating with different teams to achieve results. If you're eager to learn, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are excited to build a career in animal feed manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.

Minimum requirements, including
Qualifications

BSc Degree or Diploma in Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Agricultural Science, or related field.

Essential Experience

1–3 years’ experience in an animal nutrition or feed manufacturing environment preferred.
Exposure to feed formulation systems and feed mill operations will be advantageous.

Competencies

Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work collaboratively across teams
Proactive and continuous improvement focused
Organised with good planning and prioritisation skills
Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Customer-focused approach

Skills Required

Basic understanding of animal nutrition principles
Knowledge of feed ingredients, raw materials, and feed additives
Understanding of feed manufacturing and feed mill processes
Ability to interpret nutritional, laboratory, and production data
Computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel
Exposure to feed formulation software (advantageous)
Understanding of quality assurance and feed safety standards
Ability to compile and maintain accurate technical records and reports

Key Responsibilities

Support the maintenance and updating of feed formulations on formulation software.
Monitor nutritional specifications to ensure feed consistency and performance.
Assist in evaluating alternative raw materials and feed additives for cost savings and nutritional value.
Support least-cost formulation processes while maintaining product quality standards.
Assist with feed trials and performance monitoring where required.
Monitor raw material quality and nutritional parameters.
Assist with the interpretation of laboratory results and nutritional analyses.
Support quality assurance processes to ensure compliance with internal standards and industry regulations.
Work closely with Quality Control personnel regarding moisture levels, contamination risks, nutrient deviations, and product consistency.
Investigate quality-related deviations and assist with corrective actions.
Support the management of rework materials and ingredient utilization.
Liaise with production personnel to ensure correct feed manufacturing according to formulation specifications.
Assist production teams with technical queries related to feed formulations and ingredient usage.
Monitor batching accuracy and adherence to formulation instructions.
Assist in managing formulation updates during raw material shortages or operational constraints.
Participate in feed mill troubleshooting relating to pellet quality, mixing consistency, and feed performance.
Ensure compliance with company policies, feed safety standards, and relevant industry regulations including Animal Feed Manufacturers Association (AFMA) requirements where applicable.
Maintain accurate formulation records, nutritional data, and technical documentation.
Assist with technical reporting and data analysis.
Support stock management initiatives related to raw materials and additives.
Participate in audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide basic technical support to sales teams and customers regarding feed products and feeding programs.
Assist in resolving customer complaints related to feed quality or animal performance.
Support on-farm investigations and technical visits where required.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

When applying, please ensure that:

You use Google Chrome to access the Career Portal.
You upload a clear and professional CV in PDF or Word format only.
Your CV does not contain handwritten notes or markings.
Supporting documents such as your ID, driver's licence, certificates, or other documentation are uploaded in the designated sections and not combined with your CV.
Your profile photo meets the minimum size requirement of 300 x 300 pixels.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.