Global Organization, 'Leading Edge Horticulture Research'
Multifaceted role with variety, fantastic culture
Set up processes to increase production & fruit handling capability
Rare Opportunity to join a Kiwi success story, use your fruit/fresh produce supply chain experience, develop innovative technology
Our client, Zespri International Ltd., an internationally respected grower-owned and established organisation, continually focuses on providing premium quality and value, to their brand of fruit and are known for being the 'best in the world.' Innovation and a world-class breeding programme dedicated to the development of new varieties, concurrent with optimisation of orchard productivity for the existing varieties, are key strategies to ensure their leading global reputation.
The Technical team provides technical management and support diverse business functions with input into supply chain, pre & post-harvest management, retail, orchard productivity, crop protection, grower extension services and the wider ZGS operations. The Team interfaces with a wide range of people across the wider kiwifruit business, including the NZ and international postharvest sector, the technology transfer specialists in Zespri and industry, Zespri Marketing, Onshore and In-market Operations, Supply Chain, Lab service providers, growers, ISG, product groups, packaging suppliers and many other stakeholders.
The Technology/Engineering Manager is accountable for Zespri's technical cool chain performance, packaging and fruit conditioning functions in all markets and supply origins. The role is required to ensure the technology/ engineering and packaging areas are locked off globally and functioning well on a day to day basis and that Zespri's business is not impacted by failure in any of these areas; and to lead the development of these functions to add value to the business.
The role requires a diverse set of skills to cover all the aspects of technology and packaging and includes an expectation of leadership of the industry with innovations that enhance fruit quality, improve efficiency or enhance Zespri's sustainability footprint. Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will work collaboratively with industry partners and other offshore stakeholders while providing effective leadership to your direct reports.
Key responsibilities of this role will include;
Overall management of the annual industry packaging cycle including specifications, trials and innovation development activities such as Track and Trace systems.
Overall management of the fruit conditioning and ripening programmes.
Development of appropriate temperature management protocols throughout the supply chain - in particular development of appropriate supply temperatures to vessel and monitoring of best practice performance on charter, in containers and in-market. This includes the management of the wireless temperature monitoring systems in the Zespri supply chain.
Provision of appropriate research and technical support to manage the successful rollout of New Varieties.
Active engineering and technical support, engagement and monitoring of all projects and services from Innovation that relate to the technical area.
To be considered for this role, you will ideally have the following skills and attributes;
Relevant Tertiary Qualification in Process Engineering/Horticulture Technology or similar with suitable experience in a technical role.
In depth understanding of cool chain operations and good basis in heat and mass transfer.
Experience with structural performance of packaging systems.
Technical experience with measurement of quality attributes of biological materials.
Good understanding of the NZ Kiwifruit Industry.
Extremely results oriented with a strong focus on quality and meeting customer needs through service delivery.
Excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels of the business, whilst, consistently upholding the organisation's values and ethics.
Intuitive and logical problem solving skills, where you are able to make informed decisions.
Self-motivated, resilient with a 'can do' attitude and a high level of flexibility to adapt to change in circumstances.
To learn more about this outstanding opportunity, apply online today with a CV and Cover letter in WORD format only, quoting job number 06/1809/PB
