This role involves leading and overseeing all packhouse activities, from receiving and grading to packing and dispatch, with the primary goal of ensuring all produce meets the highest export and food safety standards for international markets. The ideal candidate should be a hands-on leader possessing strong organizational, quality control, and team management skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise daily packhouse operations, including receiving, grading, packing, cooling, and dispatch.
- Develop and implement production schedules to meet export timelines and quality targets.
- Ensure equipment is properly maintained and operating efficiently.
- Monitor production flow, throughput, and labor efficiency to optimize performance.
- Oversee quality assurance to ensure all products meet customer specifications.
- Work closely with quality teams, agronomists, and logistics partners to resolve quality issues.
- Lead and coordinate supervisors, line leaders, graders, packers, and casual workers.
- Collaborate with logistics and export teams to ensure timely dispatch and documentation.
- Maintain accurate records of production volumes, rejects, and dispatch reports.
- Generate weekly and monthly performance reports for management review.
- Support internal and external audits by certification bodies and export authorities.
- Identify process inefficiencies and implement improvements to enhance quality and reduce costs.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness, or Industrial Management.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in packhouse or post-harvest management — preferably in avocado or fresh produce export.
- Strong knowledge of export market requirements and food safety systems.
- Proven ability to manage large teams and coordinate across departments.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office, ERP, and production tracking software.