Position Overview:
The Blueberry Pack House & Cold Room Manager oversees all operations within the blueberry packing & fruit cold storage facility, ensuring that fruit is received, graded, packed, cooled, and dispatched efficiently while maintaining strict quality, hygiene, and food safety standards. The manager oversees staff, monitors refrigeration systems, and coordinates logistics to support continuous supply chain operations.
This role requires strong leadership, planning, and technical knowledge of post-harvest handling processes to ensure that fruit is stored, handled, and dispatched under optimal conditions to maintain quality, extend shelf life, and comply with food safety standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage day-to-day pack house and cold room operations from intake to dispatch.
- Supervise staff involved in sorting, grading, packing, and quality control.
- Monitor fruit quality and implement corrective actions to reduce losses.
- Monitor and control temperature, humidity, and air circulation to meet product-specific requirements.
- Implement and maintain cold chain protocols to minimize post-harvest losses.
- Ensure compliance with food safety and export certification standards (e.g., GlobalG.A.P., HACCP, BRC).
- Coordinate with farm and logistics teams for smooth product flow.
- Manage inventory of packaging materials and consumables.
- Maintain accurate records of production, yields, wastage, stock records, temperature logs, and traceability documentation.
- Oversee maintenance and calibration of packing equipment and oversee refrigeration equipment performance and coordinate regular maintenance and repairs.
- Train and motivate staff to achieve production and quality targets.
- Enforce health, safety, and hygiene protocols throughout the facility.
- Monitor energy usage and suggest improvements for cost and energy efficiency.
- Prepare reports on storage utilization, losses, and operational performance.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Diploma or degree in Agriculture, Food Technology, Supply Chain Management or related field.
- 3–5 years’ experience in fruit pack house or cold storage management (blueberries advantageous).
- Knowledge of post-harvest physiology and cold chain management.
- Excellent organizational, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong knowledge of refrigeration systems, cold chain logistics, and produce quality standards.
- Computer literacy & proficiency in data reporting and production management software.
- Ability to lead a team and work effectively under pressure during peak seasons.
- Understanding of workplace safety and hazard control procedures.
Position available immediately.
Email CV in WORD format: cvs@agricruitment.co.za
Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not been contacted within 2 weeks.
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