Job Description

Regional Quality Assessor (Citrus) (MUST be fully bilingual in English & Afrikaans)2025-04-29 - 2025-05-29PermanentCPT001872ProductionMpumalanga, NelspruitOur client is seeking a qualified Regional Quality Assessor (Citrus) to join their team.Education Required:

• Diploma or degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Quality control or equivalent.
• Industry training in Produce Quality defect assessment.
• Industry training in Produce export requirements, incl Fruit quality and Special market phytosanitary protocols.
• In-house and/or external training in Quality Management.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in perishables export quality - citrus.
• Previous exposure as exporter representative travelling between packing facilities & depots.

Skills Required:

• Fully bilingual in English & Afrikaans.
• Knowledge of citrus quality and horticulture, including post-harvest disorders development and prevention.
• Thorough knowledge of PPECB export standards and packing specifications communicating client expectation.
• Knowledge of Supply chain and Cold chain management and impact of the export handling chain on fruit quality.
• Understanding the economics of claims management when arrivals do not meet client quality expectations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook), willingness to explore new technology tools (like AI) and familiarity with Dipar or similar QC platforms.
• A keen eye to detail to identify issues and to prevent quality, labelling and handling protocol mistakes.
• Good people skills to connect with packhouse management.
• Actively contribute to Zest team dynamics and enlarge impact as leading exporter.

Key Performance Areas:

• Pre-packing season knowledge of producer and packhouse facilities.
• Weekly visit scheduling.
• Packhouse visit liaison.
• Packhouse fruit quality assessments.
• Packhouse special market consignments eg Chine, South Korea, Japan.
• Packhouse stock at ambient.
• Packhouse hygiene or food safety observations.
• Research Trials.
• Ad Hoc duties on request.
• Pre & Post season (gathering of information).

***Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted***

Merand Recruitment