Manager - Quality (Fresh Produce)

DeHaat; Ludhiana; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

DeHaat is seeking a Lead Quality Assurance professional to oversee the certification portfolio, lead GFSI audits, and ensure compliance across fresh fruits and export operations. You will drive quality initiatives and train teams to uphold top food safety standards in a dynamic agri-tech environment.

You will develop SOPs, align with APEDA/AGMARK/FSSAI requirements, and collaborate with procurement, operations, and export teams to maintain excellence in quality and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Food Science/Technology.
• 3–8 years in QA within food processing.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and export compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall certification portfolio in the organization; knowledge of Global GAP, BRC, SMETA, Fairtrade, BSCI.
• Must be lead auditor certified in GFSI recognized standard.
• Lead and manage the Quality Department for fresh fruits, with direct responsibility for fresh fruits quality management.
• Develop, implement, and monitor SOPs across procurement, handling, and export operations.
• Provide training and capacity-building to supervisors and quality staff to enhance operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with national and international regulations including APEDA, AGMARK, FSSAI, Phyto-Sanitary, and global retail standards.
• Conduct quality audits, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce rejections and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with procurement, operations, and export teams to ensure end-to-end quality assurance.
• Laboratory selection for different food safety compliance

Skills

Quality assurance

Internal audits

Regulatory compliance

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Food Science or Technology

Tools

MS Office

Google Sheets

Audit management tools

Job description

DeHaatTM, a leading Agri-Tech organisation, offers end-to-end solutions to India's farmers using AI technologies. With apresence in 12 states, 18,000+ DeHaat Centers, and 500+ FPOs, we impact 13 million+ farmers. Our AI crop advisory covers 30+ crops in regional languages & we export to 30+ countries. Founded by top institute alumni, DeHaat is fully funded, achieving consecutive Great Place to Work certifications. Recognized by NASSCOM, Forbes, ET, NitiAayog, and Bill Gates Foundation, our 14-year journey reflects impactful innovation in the agricultural sector.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Lead overall certification portfolio in the organization. Must have the knowledge of Global GAP, BRC, SMETA, Fairtrade, BSCI etc.
• Must be lead auditor certified in GFSI recognized standard
• Lead and manage the Quality Department for fresh fruits, with direct responsibility for fresh fruits quality management.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across procurement, handling, and export operations.
• Provide training and capacity-building to supervisors and quality staff to enhance operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with national and international regulations including APEDA, AGMARK, FSSAI, Phyto-Sanitary, and global retail standards.
• Conduct quality audits, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce rejections and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with procurement, operations, and export teams to ensure end-to-end quality assurance.
• Laboratory selection for different food safety compliance

Qualification & Skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Food Science or Technology (B.Sc./M.Sc./B.Tech)
• 3-8 yrs of experience in quality assurance within the food processing industry
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Power Point); and Google Sheets.
• Expertise on quality management systems for fresh produce
• Proven experience in conducting audits (BRC, FSSC 22000, plant, and supplier audits).
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, GMP, HACCP, and quality management systems & export compliance (APEDA, AGMARK, FSSAI, Phyto)
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively across teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.