Vegetable Packhouse Manager – Limpopo

The Vegetable Packhouse Manager will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing all daily operations within the fresh produce processing facility. This role bridges agricultural production and the final supply chain, ensuring that vegetables are received, graded, packed, and dispatched efficiently while strictly maintaining quality and food safety standards for local markets and retailers. Reporting to the owner.

• Daily Workflow: Oversee the end-to-end packhouse process including intake, sorting, grading, packing, storage, and dispatch.
• Scheduling: Plan and implement packing schedules based on incoming harvest volumes, crop cycles, and customer delivery timelines.
• Efficiency Optimization: Monitor processing line speeds and labor utilization to maximize output while minimizing product wastage and operational downtime.
• Cold Chain & Storage: Manage temperature controls, cold stores, and post-harvest cooling procedures to maximize vegetable shelf-life.

Quality Assurance & Food Safety Compliance

• Standards Enforcement: Maintain and enforce strict compliance with international food safety and hygiene protocols, including GlobalG.A.P
• Audits & Traceability: Lead regular internal audits and prepare documentation for external compliance inspections, ensuring 100% batch traceability from farm to client.
• Defect Control: Monitor grading accuracy to reject damaged or non-conforming produce, minimizing client rejections.

Team Leadership & Labor Relations

• Staff Management: Supervise, motivate, and direct a diverse team of permanent and seasonal floor workers, supervisors, and line leaders.
• Training: Train staff on hygienic handling practices, safety regulations, and equipment operations.
• HR & Discipline: Manage staff shifts, attendance, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions in coordination with Human Resources.

Financial & Inventory Control

• Stock Management: Maintain optimal inventory levels of packaging materials, chemicals, and consumables to prevent line stoppages.
• Facility Maintenance: Coordinate routine maintenance and troubleshooting of sizers, conveyor lines, and heavy machinery with the relevant team/supplier.

Work Requirements

• Employment Type: Full-time position.
• Operational Flexibility: Ability and willingness to work extended hours during peak harvest seasons to meet production and customer delivery requirements.