Job Description
Location: Bay of Plenty
Employment Type: Full-Time (Permanent)
Wages: $26 - $28.00 per hour
Minimum Hours per week: 30
Position Overview
The Quality Control Inspector is responsible for monitoring and maintaining quality standards across all stages of kiwifruit orchard management. This includes ensuring that all produce meets industry benchmarks and Zespri GlobalGAP standards. The role requires conducting thorough regular inspections, identifying quality deviations, implementing corrective actions, and working closely with the Orchard Manager, Pest & Disease Control Specialist, and Harvesting Team to ensure premium fruit quality.
This position reports to the Orchard Manager and plays a key role in ensuring compliance with all food safety, biosecurity, and quality assurance protocols.
Key Responsibilities
1. Quality Inspection & Monitoring
Conduct regular orchard inspections to assess fruit quality, vine health, and overall orchard conditions.
Perform pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest assessments to check for fruit size, color, sugar content (Brix), shape, and skin defects.
Identify quality deviations such as sunburn, wind rub, pest damage, or fungal infections.
Work closely with Pest & Disease Control Specialist (internal or external) to detect and mitigate quality-impacting infestations and diseases.
2. Compliance & Industry Standards
Ensure strict compliance with industry standards.
Maintain documentation and reports for all quality control activities for audit and compliance purposes.
Implement corrective actions to ensure fruit meets required standards.
3. Harvest & Post-Harvest Quality Management
Inspect fruit bins and pallets before dispatch to packhouses, ensuring no substandard fruit is included.
Work with harvesting teams to improve fruit handling techniques to minimize bruising and physical damage.
Supervise sorting and grading procedures in line with packhouse and export standards.
4. Data Collection & Reporting
Maintain detailed records of inspections, defects, and corrective actions taken.
Analyze data on fruit quality trends, identifying patterns and areas for improvement.
Submit weekly reports to the Orchard Manager on orchard quality status.
Provide feedback and training to orchard workers and supervisors to enhance quality control awareness.
5. Training & Process Improvement
Train orchard staff on quality control procedures, fruit handling, and compliance requirements.
Develop and implement quality improvement strategies based on data analysis and industry best practices.
Keep up-to-date with new technologies, quality standards, and best practices in kiwifruit production.
Other tasks as may be required.
Qualifications & Experience
Degree/Diploma in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Business/ Commerce/ Economics/ Science/ Engineering (or Bachelor’s Degree in any stream), OR a minimum of 2 experience in quality control/management/supervision (preferably in agriculture/horticulture).
Experience in data analysis, reporting, and quality improvement initiatives preferred.
Excellent attention to detail.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $26.00 – $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 30 per week
Application Question(s):
Are you a New Zealand Citizen/Permanent Resident?
What is your salary expecation for this role?
Work Location: In person
Employment Type: Full-Time (Permanent)
Wages: $26 - $28.00 per hour
Minimum Hours per week: 30
Position Overview
The Quality Control Inspector is responsible for monitoring and maintaining quality standards across all stages of kiwifruit orchard management. This includes ensuring that all produce meets industry benchmarks and Zespri GlobalGAP standards. The role requires conducting thorough regular inspections, identifying quality deviations, implementing corrective actions, and working closely with the Orchard Manager, Pest & Disease Control Specialist, and Harvesting Team to ensure premium fruit quality.
This position reports to the Orchard Manager and plays a key role in ensuring compliance with all food safety, biosecurity, and quality assurance protocols.
Key Responsibilities
1. Quality Inspection & Monitoring
Conduct regular orchard inspections to assess fruit quality, vine health, and overall orchard conditions.
Perform pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest assessments to check for fruit size, color, sugar content (Brix), shape, and skin defects.
Identify quality deviations such as sunburn, wind rub, pest damage, or fungal infections.
Work closely with Pest & Disease Control Specialist (internal or external) to detect and mitigate quality-impacting infestations and diseases.
2. Compliance & Industry Standards
Ensure strict compliance with industry standards.
Maintain documentation and reports for all quality control activities for audit and compliance purposes.
Implement corrective actions to ensure fruit meets required standards.
3. Harvest & Post-Harvest Quality Management
Inspect fruit bins and pallets before dispatch to packhouses, ensuring no substandard fruit is included.
Work with harvesting teams to improve fruit handling techniques to minimize bruising and physical damage.
Supervise sorting and grading procedures in line with packhouse and export standards.
4. Data Collection & Reporting
Maintain detailed records of inspections, defects, and corrective actions taken.
Analyze data on fruit quality trends, identifying patterns and areas for improvement.
Submit weekly reports to the Orchard Manager on orchard quality status.
Provide feedback and training to orchard workers and supervisors to enhance quality control awareness.
5. Training & Process Improvement
Train orchard staff on quality control procedures, fruit handling, and compliance requirements.
Develop and implement quality improvement strategies based on data analysis and industry best practices.
Keep up-to-date with new technologies, quality standards, and best practices in kiwifruit production.
Other tasks as may be required.
Qualifications & Experience
Degree/Diploma in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Business/ Commerce/ Economics/ Science/ Engineering (or Bachelor’s Degree in any stream), OR a minimum of 2 experience in quality control/management/supervision (preferably in agriculture/horticulture).
Experience in data analysis, reporting, and quality improvement initiatives preferred.
Excellent attention to detail.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $26.00 – $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 30 per week
Application Question(s):
Are you a New Zealand Citizen/Permanent Resident?
What is your salary expecation for this role?
Work Location: In person
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Quality Control Inspector position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Te Puke offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
