Post-harvest and Quality Management FPEF Internship Fruit (one year, 2027)

Agrijob; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 67,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Fresh Produce Exporters Forum invites graduates to join a one-year internship across commercial, logistics and post-harvest quality roles within SA fruit exporters. You will analyse quality reports, engage with overseas clients and growers, and handle routine admin in a fast-moving environment.

Applicants should hold a BSc in a relevant field, demonstrate attention to detail and strong English communication, with Afrikaans knowledge considered a plus.

Qualifications

• Degree required: BSc in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Food Science or similar.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical approach to problems.
• Good English communication; Afrikaans helpful but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Analyse fruit quality reports from overseas clients and record in the system.
• Identify root causes of quality issues and assess claim validity.
• Communicate with clients to clarify and understand claims.
• Coordinate with growers to explain claims and expectations.
• Perform routine admin; office-bound role with high pace of data entry.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Written & verbal English

Teamwork

Leadership

Problem solving

Integrity

Education

BSc in Horticulture / Plant Pathology / Food Science

Tools

Stock management system

Job description

The industry organisation, Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, runs a number of initiatives to bring about transformation in the fresh fruit export industry. The FPEF Graduate Placement Program places high calibre graduates in junior commercial, logistics and technical (post-harvest quality management) roles at various South African fruit export companies for one year, potentially leading to long term career opportunities. The aim of this programme is to integrate a growing group of talented young individuals into the commercial and operational heart of the industry. This is your opportunity to enter the dynamic, fast-growing, and competitive world of post-harvest fruit handling, international fruit trade and marketing.

Intern responsibilities:

• analysing fruit quality reports when received from overseas clients,
• capturing them on the system,
• identifying the root cause of the quality issue and challenging the validity of the claim as relevant,
• communicating with clients to challenge/better understand claims,
• communicating with growers to explain claims.
• The job is office-bound and there is a high level of routine admin involved.

Intern requirements:

• Degree: BSc in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Food Science or similar
• Attention to detail, analytical and systematic approach to problem-solving
• High level of computer literacy and the ability to learn how to use the stock management system
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English to communicate with overseas clients
• Verbal Afrikaans will be beneficial but not essential (work environment and growers are predominantly Afrikaans)
• Collaborative teamwork and leadership skills
• Ambitious, self-motivated and results-driven
• Problem-solver able to perform well under pressure
• Integrity, sound ethics and high standards for self and others
• Applicants must be SA Citizens, under the age of 30.
• Students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds will enjoy preference

Remuneration:

The respective organisations undertake to provide mentorship and market-related remuneration as applicable to interns.