Purpose: The Quality Control Manager is accountable for the development and safeguarding of fruit quality standards and processes for BerryWorld. The Quality Control Manager will oversee the activities and staff of the quality assurance division within the Postharvest Department, developing, coordinating & implementing a customer-centric quality system. The Quality Manager is also responsible for analysing data, reporting, and developing strategies and protocols for improved quality. Key Performance Areas: 1. Administration & Management: Ensure inter- & intra-departmental communication platforms are in place to provide fruit quality information: - Set up & run weekly Quality Control (QC) meetings in the season. - Attend weekly volume planning meetings (cross-departmental in-season meeting) and provide summarized weekly quality summary for the meeting - Attend weekly fruit supply (inter-departmental) meetings and provide a weekly quality summary for the meeting - Setup and run monthly packhouse planning meetings (for packhouse advisors) - Setup and run bi-weekly packhouse advisor in-season meetings Analyse quality performance data and report on quality performance at various levels through the business, ensuring a high standard of communication to all stakeholders within the handling chain. Lead a team of QC inspectors and packhouse QC representatives in ensuring a standardised QC service level is provided at all critical control points (CCPs) in our control. Administer QC department performance management and reviews of QC inspectors reporting into this role. Coordinate all administrative tasks relating to the subordinates including but not limited to budgeting, leave, induction, hiring of new appointments. Ensure alignment in reporting from all packhouse QC representatives and QC inspectors: - Example: shelf life and pack out report data, weekly packhouse quality visits reports something new to be implemented; etc. Plan and coordinate the QC teams primary function in season: - Airport QC inspection duty roaster (JHB and CPT depots) - Packhouse roaming schedule - Grower QC training schedule Plan and coordinate the QC teams structure and strategic development in collaboration with the Senior Technical Manager. Attend and contribute to bi-annual postharvest department strategic development forums. Manage QC equipment ordering, allocation (growers and BWSA) and repairs. 2. Quality Assurance Protocols & Specifications: Coordinates the drafting and continual improvement of the Quality Protocols, BWSA Quality Specifications & and other key Quality Assurance (QA) procedures & training manuals. Develop, maintain, and continually adapt the relevant assigned BWSA QA protocols: - Review assigned protocols annually pre-season - Amend in-season where required - Submit protocols to senior management for sign-off - Send protocols to grower-base ahead of the season Develop and continuously adapt the following fruit specifications by consulting with marketing & technical customer representatives to ensure BWSA fruit specifications are aligned and suited to our various export markets: - Bulk export fruit specification - Final pack fruit specification (multiple pack sizes) - Fruit firmness specifications Ensure that the QC app is continually updated and aligns with the latest BWSA fruit specifications: - Drive the need for the development of updated and new report types on the QC app by consulting BWSA IT and Postharvest BEX champion - Ensure automation of reports via dynamic reporting are set up, tested and run accurately. Continuously update the recipient lists to ensure the correct people in relevant organisations receive the right reports (growers, packhouses and internal BWSA). Ensure the latest postharvest and QC protocols are uploaded and available on BEX Knowledge Base. Maintain a relationship with Berries South Africa representative and meet when necessary to ensure alignment with PPECB specification for inspections helps and does not hinder the export of our growers fruit. Ensure alignment with PPECB specification for fruit inspections. Develop and update QC training resources (relating to specifications and interpretation thereof) annually, or as the procedures and requirements change, ensuring the material is relevant. 3. Supply Management & Allocations: Provide air and sea freight percentage assumption updates twice weekly to all operational and technical departments. Coordinate pack-out percentage assumption updates every second week. Provide regularly updated allocation guidance and approvals changes to procurement, capacity planning and sales in the season, as per the approvals update process flow: - Weekly update of approvals document on the server with the latest information received: Ensure grower/variety allocation advice and approvals dependent on fruit quality, flavour and size are updated. Collaborate with compliance team on Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) exceedances and market access on audit requirements. - Weekly distribution per grower for individual approvals updated on current excel spreadsheet and send out to each grower and/or packhouse in production. 4. QC Training: Train employees, customers, and suppliers in applicable QC policies and procedures: Ensure all QC staff are trained and competent in performing quality assessments, as well as interpreting and implementing BWSA specifications throughout the handling chain. Develop, update, and conduct an in-house QC training programme for new and current employees required to fulfil the role as a QC inspector/information user. Coordinate and conduct pre-season QC training for growers and packhouses (that require training), as well as retraining when needed in-season, with the support from members in the wider QC team. Conduct training regarding fruit quality inspections and specification interpretation with certain customers QC staff when necessary: - Theoretic explanation of the various fruit specifications, training on how to use the necessary equipment as well as practical training. - Where necessary, keep a training attendance register to keep track of specific people who were trained, per grower/packhouse, annually. 5. Exposure & Training: Gain an understanding of the BWSA customer QC requirements for the various Trade lanes. - Assist the lane technologists with QC & claims investigations - Attend where applicable customer meetings (VC, direct or visit to SA) - Build and maintain a relationship with each BWSA Trade lane Technologist Become proficient in BWSA stock management and Quality tracking systems: - BEX - Dynamic reporting - WebQC - Power BI Complete the specific QC Manager training and exposure plan within the provided timeframe guides in the plan. Formal Qualification: Tertiary education: Bachelors degree (essential) Matriculation (essential) Food Sciences tertiary education (desirable) Job-related experience: Quality Control Management or Quality Assurance experience in the fresh produce industry (3-5 years) Team management. supervision (2-4 years) QC Systems (data capture and monitoring platforms) (2-4 years) FMCG experience (desirable) Experience in using DiPAR systems (WebQC and Dynamic reporting (desirable). Job-related knowledge: Understanding of soft fruit retailers and/or importers requirements (3-5 years) Developing fruit quality assurance specifications (desirable) Fresh produce Quality Control inspection processes (on farms, in packhouses, at depots and/or receivers) (desirable) Job-related skills: People management/supervision High attention to detail Excellent communication skills Computer literacy (MS Excel, Word & PowerPoint) Excellent time management skills Drivers Licence Data analysis (business intelligence tools) (desirable) Problem-solving & critical thinking skills (desirable) Competencies: Ownership and responsibility Autonomy Problem-solving (logical and analytical) Establishing rapport with colleagues and clients (Interpersonal skills) Ability to cope well under pressure Effective time management Detail orientation Ability to cope with setbacks (Resilience)
