Cold Store Manager

SUMMARY:
- POSITION INFO:
Stellenpak, a well-established fruit packing and cooling enterprise in Paarl, serving a niche market segment in the fruit industry, is looking for an experienced Cold Store Manager to join the team. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing and managing the receipt, cooling and dispatch of fruit (this is relevant to both pallets and fruit delivered in bins for packing purposes) in compliance with producer/agent requests and expectations in a manner that maximises company profit. The successful candidate must ensure adherence to all statutory and regulatory requirements/standards and must ensure that the company has the necessary equipment to execute its operations successfully. Responsibilities:

• Oversee Cold Store operations and ensure that all fruit is dispatched on correct dates and stored at correct temperature in compliance with statutory and export requirements
• Operate as a fruit receiving depot, establish feasibility of producer/agent requests and regularly liaison with producers/agents regarding status of fruit
• Develop Cold Store operational plans based on weekly packaging plan and ensure operations run in accordance with the plan
• Ensure that all cold storage equipment & machinery, moving equipment, and picking bins are in good working condition and adhere to maintenance plans by managing related contractors and applicable in-house personnel
• Manage all moving equipment contracts, maintenance, training and requirements
• Oversee logistics and ensure all fruit is dispatched in accordance with deadlines and related requirements
• Ensure that cold store adheres to all quality requirements and standards (PPECB inspections, BRC requirements, food safety standards etc.)
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures for use of machines and equipment and ensure all equipment operators adhere to medical standards
• Manage cold store personnel efficiently (limit overtime, establish shift rosters, ensure disciplinary procedures are adhered to)

Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualification
• At least 8 years’ experience in managing a cold store (preferably in the fruit industry)
• At least 10 years’ experience in management of a sizable team
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the cold store life cycle, including logistics
• Thorough knowledge of fruit temperatures and standards
• In-depth knowledge of fruit packing industry and life-cycle
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinker
• Above average numerical skills
• CA experience would be an advantage