POSITION TITLE: Specialist Technical Services

This position is responsible for providing technical support for Chiquita products and processes, both within Chiquita operations and at customer facilities. Responsibilities include supporting current, new, and test products.

The role will audit internal and external processes at both Chiquita- and customer-operated ripening centers and make recommendations to optimize shelf life and drive customer satisfaction. This position also requires the ability to effectively step in as the Lead Ripener to deliver expected outbound banana color and pulp temperatures. The primary duty of this role is technical support.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support customer training in general and specialized handling of produce and specialty items throughout the supply chain, from source to retail.

Provide produce management support for Chiquita distribution centers (DCs), including fruit ordering, forecasting, inventory control, and processing.

Provide technical support for custom packing projects, alternative fresh product rollouts, and test initiatives.

Perform customer ripening-room audits, including publishing comprehensive analyses comparing key measurements to established SOPs, and provide corrective action plans for any operational challenges.

Effectively fill in as Lead or Support Ripener when assigned to Chiquita or customer ripening operations, including managing inventory and achieving targeted outbound color and pulp temperatures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in science or agriculture, or equivalent experience in produce, quality, technical sales, field auditing, and banana ripening.

1–3 years of experience in produce operations/handling, including an understanding of how produce behaves under varying conditions (e.g., temperature effects).

Ability to lift produce boxes weighing up to 52 lbs (typically 45 lbs) from 8 inches to 72 inches off the ground, up to 40 times per day. Experience with banana processing/ripening is highly preferred.

Experience in inventory control and quality assurance is a plus.

Strong integrity, work ethic, and physical endurance.

Availability for frequent travel.

Ability to collaborate effectively and work cross-functionally.

Strong sense of urgency and follow-through.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in office environments, warehouses, produce ripening rooms, and cold storage areas.

Must be able to repeatedly lift up to 45 lbs to heights of up to 80 inches for product inspection.

May be required to stand for extended periods.

Ripening rooms are long and narrow with a single front opening; duties may require working in confined spaces.

Regular use of calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment.

Frequent stooping, bending, twisting, lifting, pulling, pushing, and reaching.

Must be able to accurately distinguish produce color and assess quality.