Technical & Quality Manager - Grapes
Our client, a growing fresh produce business, is looking for an experienced Technical & Quality Manager with strong table grape experience to take ownership of quality, food safety, technical compliance and packaging standards across its grape operations.
This is a key leadership position for a technical professional who understands the specific quality, grading, packaging, export and retail requirements associated with table grapes and can build and lead a technical function across both export and local markets.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and build the technical and QC function, including recruiting, training, managing and setting KPIs for the team
Own quality and technical compliance across the table grape supply chain, from pre-harvest checks through packhouse operations, cold chain and final dispatch
Manage export certification and audit readiness, including GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS and PrimusGFS requirements
Ensure compliance with local food safety regulations and technical requirements of domestic retail and supermarket groups
Manage buyer and retailer specifications covering grape quality, grading, sizing, packaging, labelling and pallet standards
Develop and maintain SOPs, inspection checklists and quality control systems, including final pre-shipment and pre-dispatch sign-off
Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, root-cause investigations, traceability and mock recall processes
Monitor and report key quality and compliance KPIs, including rejection rates, audit findings, temperature excursions and non-conformance closure
Build relationships with growers, packhouse teams, auditors, certification bodies, authorities, export buyers and local retailers
Drive continuous improvement across grape growing, packing and distribution processes using QC findings and performance data
The role will involve regular travel between the packhouse, grower sites, export facilities and local retail partners.
Requirements
5+ years' experience in fresh produce technical, quality or compliance management, with table grapes being a core area of experience
Proven hands-on experience with table grapes, including grape quality, grading, packing and/or export requirements
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 export markets and international buyer or retailer technical specifications
Experience with local/domestic retail supply chains and retailer technical requirements
Understanding of phytosanitary export requirements, MRL compliance and cold-chain management
Previous experience building or leading a QC or technical team
Strong data, documentation and KPI reporting skills
Willingness to travel regularly between packhouse, grower sites and retail partners
Experience with EU, UK or US fresh produce market requirements, HACCP certification or established relationships with certification bodies, auditors or retail QA teams would be advantageous.