Fruit Ripening Technician

Sysco Corp.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Sysco Northeast RDC in Chicago is seeking an experienced supervisor to manage all aspects of our banana ripening program, ensuring customer ripening requirements are met. You will oversee handling, quality checks, and scheduling to keep inventory aligned with demand.

You will work with procurement, sales, FSQA, and EHS to uphold safety, ethylene protocols, and efficient operating procedures. A high school diploma is required, with at least two years in banana ripening; forklift/pallet jack

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in banana ripening processes including ethylene.
• Must be able to operate a pallet jack and forklift.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Excellent communication and relationship building with all levels.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including some weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Manage all activities related to banana handling and ripening.
• Conduct quality inspections of ripening process (ventilation, humidity, temperature) and report daily.
• Sort and grade product per color/ripeness chart.
• Collaborate with procurement and sales to project sales and manage inventory.
• Coordinate delivery schedules to maintain inventory and ripening schedules.
• Manage inventory daily and weekly.
• Ensure proper ethylene gassing protocols and chemical storage with FSQA and EHS.
• Maintain safe work environment; complete safety training and follow SOPs.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Detail oriented

Independent worker

Flexible schedule

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of our warehouse banana ripening program to ensure we meet our customer’s ripening requirements and expectations

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all activities related to banana handling and ripening, including conducting quality inspections, development of ripening cycles, actual ripening, and post ripening handling
• Conduct required quality inspections related to the ripening process such as ventilation, humidity, temperature, etc. and communicate reports daily.
• Sort and grade product in accordance with color/ripeness chart
• Work closely with procurement and sales departments to project sales and manage inventory
• Coordinate delivery schedules to maintain adequate inventory and ripening schedules
• Manage inventory on a daily and weekly basis
• Partner with FSQA and EHS to ensure proper protocols for ethylene gassing procedures and chemical storage are met
• Maintain a safe work environment by completing required safety training, and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Education Required:

High School diploma or G.E.D. required

Education Preferred:

Associate degree in agriculture or related discipline preferred

Experience Required:

Minimum 2 years’ experience in banana ripening processes including the experience with ethylene, or equivalent experience

Licenses/Certifications Required:

Must be able to operate a pallet jack and forklift

Technical Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication and relationship building skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization

Good judgment and the awareness of financial impact of decisions

Must be able to work independently on routine and non-routine assignments

Must be able to work a flexible schedule including some weekends and holidays based on the needs of our business

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Basic mathematical operations (counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

Ability to communicate clearly (verbally and in writing).

Detail-oriented.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.