Technical Manager - Post Harvest (Pome)

University of Fort Hare; Grabouw; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable educational institution in Grabouw is seeking a Technical Manager - Post Harvest for pome fruit to oversee quality assurance and compliance throughout the value chain. The ideal candidate will have a BSc in Horticulture or Food Science and 5-8 years of experience in the fruit industry. Responsibilities include managing post-harvest systems, collaborating with stakeholders, and leading Quality Assurance teams.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience within the fruit & packhouse industry.
• Experience in food safety and compliance systems.
• Strong understanding of fruit specifications in various client markets.

Responsibilities

• Manage post-harvest systems to assure quality and marketability.
• Implement and adapt post-harvest fruit handling protocols.
• Daily management of Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams.

Skills

Data Analytics

Intermediate MS Office skills

Quality and Food Safety Systems knowledge

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

BSc in Horticulture / Food Science (Post-Harvest)

Job description

Overview

An established concern located in the EGVV region, involved in the packing of deciduous fruit for local and international markets, is seeking to employ a Technical Manager - Post Harvest (Pome Fruit) to join their team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for all post-harvest aspects of the product (apples and pears), impacting the commercial value of fruit through the value chain.

• Manage post-harvest systems and protocols to assure quality and marketability of packed product for customers
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to build and implement technical fruit quality and compliance systems
• Align systems to ensure product quality and compliance according to different customer specifications
• Manage and interpret data on all technical aspects of fruit throughout the system to enable allocation of fruit into ideal protocols and regimes
• Assess, develop and adapt these protocols and regimes of post-harvest fruit handling to protect commercial value of fruit throughout the season by maximizing packout and reducing waste
• Implement systems that maximise the quality of packed fresh fruit while reducing quality defects and claims in the market
• Ensure effective, regular communication regarding product requirements, availability, quality and other product information and seasonal trends with all stakeholders and departments
• Assist growers to manage harvest for optimal quality
• Assist with building variety optimisation strategies
• Assist with the implementation of the fruit variety seasonal plan
• Ensure market entry through compliance with relevant food safety and quality standards, as well as special market registrations
• Liaise with technical consultants when necessary to obtain specialist information for decision-making, analysis of claims to determine fault and respond accordingly, and provide regular feedback
• Daily management of Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams and employees, monitoring of fruit samples and reporting on deviations from samples taken

Minimum Requirements

• A BSc degree in Horticulture / Food Science (Post-Harvest) or similar tertiary qualification
• Relevant training and experience in food safety and compliance systems
• At least 5-8 years of experience within the fruit & packhouse industry
• Intermediate MS Office skills with advanced Excel
• Data Analytics
• Relevant training and experience in Quality and Food Safety Systems
• Good data analytics, problem solving and reporting skills
• Strong understanding of all fruit specifications within various client/customer markets
• Ability to influence, delegate, apply good judgment and make sound decisions; risk-taking
• Resourceful and innovative in approach
• Strong attention to detail