Technical & Quality Manager - Grapes

SUMMARY:
Introduction Our client is a fresh produce operation specialising in table grapes for export and domestic retail markets. Our client is seeking a Technical & Quality Manager to lead and build the technical team, and own quality control and packaging compliance across both export and local/retail channels from pre-harvest through to shipment or loca...

POSITION INFO:
Introduction Our client is a fresh produce operation specialising in table grapes for export and domestic retail markets. Our client is seeking a Technical & Quality Manager to lead and build the technical team, and own quality control and packaging compliance across both export and local\/retail channels from pre-harvest through to shipment or local dispatch. This is a founding technical hire, reporting to the General Manager \/ Operations Director, based at the packhouse with regular travel to grower blocks and export facilities. The role is full-time and permanent. Key Responsibilities Lead and recruit the technical team, scaling from 3 to 6 roles; set individual objectives and KPIs for QC Inspectors, Food Safety & Compliance Officer, Packaging & Packhouse Standards Officer, Cold Chain \/ Logistics QC, QA Data & Traceability Coordinator, and equivalent roles as volumes grow Design, implement, and maintain SOPs and inspection checklists across pre-harvest, intake, packhouse, cold-chain, and pre-shipment\/dispatch stages for both channels Set and enforce grading, sizing, and packaging specifications per channel, including export carton\/pallet standards (ISPM-15) and local retail-ready packaging and labelling formats Approve final pre-shipment or pre-dispatch sign-off against the applicable buyer specification, export or local Own the non-conformance and corrective action process across both channels, including root-cause review of repeat issues Maintain full lot-level traceability records for both export and local distribution; run an annual mock recall exercise covering both channels Track and report core KPIs by channel: consignment\/order rejection rate, cold-chain temperature excursions, non-conformance closure time, audit findings, and traceability trace-back time Report program performance to the General Manager \/ Operations Director on a monthly basis, split by export and local market performance; feed QC findings back into growing and packing practice for continuous improvement Export market: own certification strategy and audit readiness for GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, and PrimusGFS; manage export buyer\/retailer technical specifications, phytosanitary certification, and destination-market MRL and labelling requirements Local market: ensure compliance with national food safety regulations and municipal\/health authority requirements for domestic sale; manage technical specifications and vendor audits from local retail chains and supermarket groups Retail alignment: maintain a current library of retailer-specific quality, grading, and packaging specifications for both export and local retail partners, and ensure the packhouse can grade and pack to each on a single run Represent the company in technical audits from both export certification bodies and local retail QA teams Manage relationships with certification bodies, auditors, and plant protection\/phytosanitary authorities for export compliance Manage relationships with local retail buyers, category managers, and QA teams, and with local food safety\/health authorities Serve as technical point of contact for export buyers and local retail customers, including responding to audits and quality claims from either channel Liaise with growers and packhouse operators on quality and packaging requirements for both channels Run the training and competency program, including induction and annual refresher training on both export and local retail requirements Requirements 5 or more years' experience in fresh produce quality control or compliance, ideally in table grapes or another fresh fruit category Degree in food science, agriculture, horticulture, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience Working knowledge of GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS, and\/or PrimusGFS and GFSI certification processes Experience working with local\/domestic retail supply chains, including retailer technical specifications and national food safety regulation Understanding of phytosanitary export requirements, MRL compliance, and cold-chain management Experience building or leading a QC\/technical team Strong data and documentation discipline; comfortable owning KPI reporting across multiple channels Willingness to travel regularly between packhouse, grower sites, and local retail partners Preferred: HACCP certification or formal food safety qualification Preferred: experience supplying both export and local retail chains from the same packhouse operation Preferred: experience with EU, UK, or US market entry requirements for fresh grapes Preferred: existing working relationships with certification bodies, auditors, or local retail QA teams This role offers an opportunity to build and lead a quality function from the ground up across a dual-market fresh produce operation.