Vegetable Packhouse Manager - Limpopo

Agrijob; Tzaneen; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Agrijob in Limpopo, South Africa, seeks a Vegetable Packhouse Manager to oversee all daily operations of a fresh produce packing facility. You will ensure efficient intake, grading, packing, storage and dispatch while upholding food safety and quality standards for local markets.

The role requires 3–5+ years in a fresh produce packhouse and strong leadership to supervise a diverse team, with emphasis on HACCP/GlobalG.A.P. compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in fresh produce packhouse management.
• Experience with HACCP and GlobalG.A.P. implementation is advantageous.
• Knowledge of cold chain, packing processes and traceability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee intake, sorting, grading, packing, storage and dispatch.
• Plan packing schedules based on harvest volumes and delivery timelines.
• Ensure food safety compliance and 100% batch traceability.
• Lead and develop a diverse team; manage shifts and discipline if needed.
• Coordinate maintenance of sizers, conveyors and related equipment.

Skills

Packhouse operations

Quality assurance

Food safety

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree or Diploma in Agriculture

Food safety certification

Job description

A well‑established commercial horticultural operation based in Limpopo, with a strong focus on efficiency, sustainability, food safety compliance, and consistent product quality, is seeking to appoint a Vegetable Packhouse Manager.

Position Summary

The Vegetable Packhouse Managerwill be responsible for overseeing and optimizing all daily operations within the fresh produce processing facility. This role bridges agricultural production and the final supply chain, ensuring that vegetables are received, graded, packed, and dispatched efficiently while strictly maintaining quality and food safety standards for local markets and retailers. Reporting to the owner.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Production Management

• Daily Workflow: Oversee the end-to-end packhouse process including intake, sorting, grading, packing, storage, and dispatch.
• Scheduling: Plan and implement packing schedules based on incoming harvest volumes, crop cycles, and customer delivery timelines.
• Efficiency Optimization: Monitor processing line speeds and labor utilization to maximize output while minimizing product wastage and operational downtime.
• Cold Chain & Storage: Manage temperature controls, cold stores, and post-harvest cooling procedures to maximize vegetable shelf-life.

Quality Assurance & Food Safety Compliance

• Standards Enforcement: Maintain and enforce strict compliance with international food safety and hygiene protocols, including GlobalG.A.P
• Audits & Traceability: Lead regular internal audits and prepare documentation for external compliance inspections, ensuring 100% batch traceability from farm to client.
• Defect Control: Monitor grading accuracy to reject damaged or non-conforming produce, minimizing client rejections.

Team Leadership & Labor Relations

• Staff Management: Supervise, motivate, and direct a diverse team of permanent and seasonal floor workers, supervisors, and line leaders.
• Training: Train staff on hygienic handling practices, safety regulations, and equipment operations.
• HR & Discipline: Manage staff shifts, attendance, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions in coordination with Human Resources.

Financial & Inventory Control

• Stock Management: Maintain optimal inventory levels of packaging materials, chemicals, and consumables to prevent line stoppages.
• Facility Maintenance: Coordinate routine maintenance and troubleshooting of sizers, conveyor lines, and heavy machinery with the relevant team/supplier.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Tertiary Qualification: A Degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Food Science, Production Management will be advantageous
• Food Safety Certification: Formal training in HACCP, FSSC 22000, or GlobalG.A.P. implementation is highly advantageous.

Experience

• Industry Experience: 3 to 5+ years of management or supervisory experience specifically within a fresh produce packhouse (vegetable processing preferred).

Core Competencies & Skills

• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of post-harvest crop husbandry, vegetable processing techniques, and cold chain logistics.
• Stress Tolerance: Ability to make fast, calculated decisions in a high-volume, high-pressure environment.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively bridge the gap between growers, packing staff, and commercial clients.

Work Requirements

• Employment Type: Full-time position.
• Operational Flexibility: Ability and willingness to work extended hours during peak harvest seasons to meet production and customer delivery requirements.

Remuneration

• A competitive, market‑related remuneration package will be offered, based on the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.