My client, an established fruit exporter based in Stellenbosch is seeking to employ a Quality Manager.The successful candidate must have aBachelors (Honours) degree in agriculture, agribusiness, or a related field (preferable)and relevant quality training (diploma/certificate) in the South African fruit export industry would be preferable. Purpose:The purpose of this role is to develop, implement, and execute (maintain) the appropriate fruit quality and compliancestrategy, structure, processes, and systems to support the core focus of the company to generate the most possible value out of each carton for all the stakeholders.Education required:Bachelors (Honours) degree in agriculture, agribusiness, or a related field (preferable)Relevant quality training (diploma/certificate) in the South African fruit export industry (preferable)Skills / Experience required:ExperienceProven experience in building and managing a quality and compliance management framework for a fruit export companyMinimum of 10 years of hands-on practical experience in the citrus industry in the relevant areas of quality (good practice, standards, regulatory)Skills / capabilitiesGood practical understanding and knowledge of citrus cultural practices and pest control and post harvest practicesGood knowledge of post-harvest disorders, their causes and the impact of the export handling chain on fruit qualityThorough understanding of economics of fruit export supply chain, claims management and the quantification of losses due to poor quality.Thorough knowledge of the concepts of total quality management, quality assurance and quality controlExcellent communication and negotiation skillsStrong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with clients.Problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities, especially in the context of citrus production/export challengesMS Office including ExcelDetail oriented with the ability to multi-taskAbility to function under pressure and to deadlinesUnderstand data sets, workflows and business processesAbility to solve business data problems to deadlinesKey Performance Areas:1. Develop and implement the company Quality and compliance strategy and frameworkDevelop the quality and compliance strategy for the company that will guide and drive the objective to derive and sustain the highest potential value for the carton of fruit throughout the value chainDevelop and implement the appropriate resource structureDevelop and maintain all related supporting processes and documents (e.g. standards, packing guides, specifications, and protocolsStrategy developed, approved and implementedResource structure developed and implemented (e.g. inspectors / auditors)Standard Operating Procedures that supports the strategy documented and implementedContinuous improvement process implemented2. Manage grower quality assuranceDevelops, manages, and influence a robust grower quality management program including standards setting, auditing, training/development, and performance improvement plans.Drive the concept of being a trusted partner to the grower to resolve grower quality issuesSupport grower auditsEvaluate quality fruit in orchards prior to harvest and/or packing to identify cultural practices, and pest control activities that may be lacking that will have a direct impact on quality and shelf life of packed product.Facilitate access to premium markets and customersGrower quality assurance plans align with the corporate identification of key growers to partner with3. Full value chain quality and compliance management and improvementsLead continuous improvements forpre-harvest, post-harvest, packing house, cold storage, and transportation processes to systematically reduce product defects and quality failures. Institutionalise the management of deviations to preserve the value of the carton Primary production : Compliance, standards, trainingPackhouse: Quality specifications, packaging, labelling/marking, food safety/chemicalsCold chain integrity: Traceability, shelf life optimization Audit plans developed and implementedAudits performedCorrective actions identifies and appropriate strategies developed to correct deviations4. Manage the handling and processing of Market Claims (fruit quality)With the Marketing capability, ensure the appropriate processes are developed and implemented to handle market claims as a result of quality issues.Develop and train Quality resources to also identify and handle potential claims as a result of quality issues.Support the Marketing capability by providing appropriate information to enable them to settle/finalise claimsClaim management processes developed and implementedClaims finalised against set standards from a time and value perspectiveQuality Resources developed and trained to handle claimsThis would include the ability to differentiate between inherent poor quality of the fruit and issues caused by deviations in the supply chainAbility to verify the extent (value of the losses)5) Manage the handling and processing of Marine ClaimsWith the Marketing and Operational capability, ensure the appropriate processes are developed and implemented to handle marine claims as a result of issues within the supply chainManage interface with the company's marine insurance provider to ensure claim notifications and procedures are followed.Manage each issue and consolidate all relevant information and evidence to construct the best potential position for the companyFacilitate and interface with the relevant stakeholders (internal and external) for each caseAssist Executivies with the annual insurance renewal processClaim management processes developed and implementedClaims finalised against set standards from a time and value perspective Based in Somerset West, Helderberg Personnel was establishedin 1998. The company initially started doing placements in the Helderberg Basinand over the years expanded nationally. Our background has proved to beinvaluable in providing a high standard of recruitment, screening, evaluationand placement of candidates.Our Value proposition:The true value proposition of the Helderberg Personnel brand is our commitmentto attending to our clients' needs, culture and values and to ensure that,through comprehensive interviews with candidates, the overall match isdetermined to ensure a long term relationship. The identity of the clientremains confidential at all times. We understand that our function is to ensurethat the candidate must become a strategic partner to a business instead of amere employee. Helderberg Personnel has achieved a steady growth over the lastyears and we have evolved into one of the leading agencies in the region. Wehave made placements cross functional, cross industry and up to seniormanagement level.#J-18808-Ljbffr
