Grabouw: Technical Manager – Post Harvest (Pome)

About the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all Post-Harvest aspects of our pome fruit product, impacting its commercial value through the entire value chain. This role requires a strong technical background and excellent communication skills to collaborate with stakeholders and ensure product quality and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 aligned to customer specifications.
• Analyze data on technical aspects of fruit to optimize allocation of fruit into ideal protocols and regimes.
• Assess, develop, and adapt post-harvest fruit handling protocols to protect commercial value and maximize packout while reducing waste.
• Implement systems to maximize the quality of packed fresh fruit and reduce quality defects and claims in the market.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders regarding product requirements, availability, quality, and seasonal trends.
• Assist growers to manage harvest for optimal quality.
• Build variety optimization strategies and implement the fruit variety seasonal plan.
• Ensure market entry through compliance to relevant food safety and quality standards and special market registrations.
• Liaise with technical consultants as needed to obtain specialist information for decision-making purposes.

Requirements

• A BSc-degree in Horticulture / Food Science (Post-Harvest) or similar tertiary qualifications.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Formal education/certifications not specified.

Salary & Benefits

• Not mentioned in original job description.