Fruit Ripening Technician

FreshPoint, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

FreshPoint, Inc. in Chicago is seeking a Warehouse Banana Ripening Supervisor to oversee all activities from handling to post-ripening handling and ensure customer ripening requirements are met.

The role requires coordinating with procurement and sales, maintaining inventory, and scheduling deliveries to meet ripening timelines. Strong communication, independence, and proficiency in MS Office are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in banana ripening processes including ethylene.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in agriculture or related discipline preferred.
• Must be able to operate pallet jack and forklift.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Able to work independently and manage routine and non-routine tasks.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule including some weekends and holidays.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Basic math skills and detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Manage banana handling and ripening, including cycles and post ripening handling.
• Conduct quality inspections related to ventilation, humidity, and temperature; report daily.
• Sort and grade product by color and ripeness.
• Coordinate with procurement and sales to project sales and manage inventory.
• Schedule deliveries to maintain ripening timelines.
• Maintain inventory on a daily and weekly basis.
• Work with FSQA and EHS on ethylene procedures and chemical storage.
• Maintain a safe work environment by following SOPs and safety training.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Inventory management

MS Office

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Flexible scheduling

Time management

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree in agriculture

Tools

Forklift

Pallet jack

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.