Technical Manager: Blueberries

Somerset West - My client, a leading fruit exporting company based in the Western Cape is seeking to employ a Technical Manager: Blueberries, with min 5 years experience in advising blueberry growers. The successful candidate must have a Bsc Horticulture or related degree and must be prepared to travel through South Africa and internationally as well.Duties will include:Pre-season planning Assist producers with preparing the crop according to customer requirementsAssist with getting crop estimates from producers.Obtain customer specifications (quality & due diligence) and interpret them.Compile Packing Guide specifications in user friendly format. Distribute it to all pack housesEnsure spray records and Globalgap certificates are collected. Compile a residue sampling plan and communicate it with pack housesPrepare QC Agreements for communication to all customers by Commercial Managers. Visit producers and check on crop qualityCompile Crop Update with industry estimates and email it to customersAssist Commercial Manager with packaging material customer base and packaging requirements.Assist head of team with procurement.In-season responsibilities: Ensuring that fruit is picked & packed to spec, by visiting farms and pack houses.Draw residue samples as required.Check residue results and take appropriate corrective and preventative action in required. Monitor shelf-life samples at pack houses.Visits cold stores to check quality and handling of product when necessaryRespond to all technical queries from customers and producers.Assist with / co-ordinate any Customer visits or audits.Write bi-weekly Crop Updates for customers. Ensure QC reports are received, checked, captured and forwarded to producers.Assist producers / pack houses with DAFF special markets registrationKeep up to date with technical matters in the industry, and communicate this to the producers.Relationship management of producers and customersHACCP team member with the responsibility for food safety as requiredPost-season responsibilities Compile End of Season technical / quality reports per producer and customersEnd of season review discussions with producers and customers to find ways to improve our performance.End of season review with Stone Fruit team to find ways to improve our performance. Visit producers and pack houses to implement proposed changes / improvements. Assist the Head : Stone Fruit Business Unit with procurement. Assist the Head : Stone Fruit Business Unit with day to day responsibilitiesRequirements:BSC Horticulture or related degreeMin 5 years experience within the blueberry industry non-negotiableMust be fully-bilingualWillingness to travelStrong people and communication skillsAbility to work as part of a team