Fruit Ripening Technician

Job Summary:

This position is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of our warehouse banana ripening program to ensure we meet our customer’s ripening requirements and expectations

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all activities related to banana handling and ripening, including conducting quality inspections, development of ripening cycles, actual ripening, and post ripening handling
• Conduct required quality inspections related to the ripening process such as ventilation, humidity, temperature, etc. and communicate reports daily.
• Sort and grade product in accordance with color/ripeness chart
• Work closely with procurement and sales departments to project sales and manage inventory
• Coordinate delivery schedules to maintain adequate inventory and ripening schedules
• Manage inventory on a daily and weekly basis
• Partner with FSQA and EHS to ensure proper protocols for ethylene gassing procedures and chemical storage are met
• Maintain a safe work environment by completing required safety training, and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Education Required:

High School diploma or G.E.D. required

Education Preferred:

Associate degree in agriculture or related discipline preferred

Experience Required:

Minimum 2 years’ experience in banana ripening processes including the experience with ethylene, or equivalent experience

Licenses/Certifications Required:

Must be able to operate a pallet jack and forklift

Technical Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication and relationship building skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization

Good judgment and the awareness of financial impact of decisions

Must be able to work independently on routine and non-routine assignments

Must be able to work a flexible schedule including some weekends and holidays based on the needs of our business

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Basic mathematical operations (counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

Ability to communicate clearly (verbally and in writing).

Detail-oriented.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.