Chief Quality - Finland and Estonia (Espoo - Finland)

This position is responsible for the inspection and releases of Chiquita Brands fruit in any European port where Chiquita operates and also at customers´ facilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Perform inspection of bananas, by means of using Chiquita inspection criteria procedures in the European ports where vessel discharge fruit and also at customers´ facilities, and ensure compliance with applicable specifications and criteria;

In charge of making the decision on fruit release into Market or rejection due to non-compliance with applicable specifications and criteria (for instance due to poor quality);

Ensure compliance of port logistic activities with applicable Chiquita Standard Operating Procedures for the discharge, handling, storage, loading and shipping of the fruit out of the port;

Report and send feedback to the organizations with regards to the inspections performed and compliance with the specifications;

Handle all customer quality complaints in cooperation with local sales and customer services;

Interact with port authorities, port operations, customers and markets on fruit quality outturns

Interact with ripeners (Chiquita or 3rd party employees), and inspect fruit in yellow stage;

Educate / train people when required (Chiquita employees, customers, visitors).

Act as back-up for local Customer Service (order handling, volume allocation etc.)

Education:

Preferably graduate degree in quality and / or food science, or equivalent by experience.

Experience & Requirements:

Minimum six months of working experience in Fruit & Vegetables, with preferably an experience in quality control at port / distribution center and customer facilities

Good communication skills allowing good communication flow with both internal and external stakeholders

Knowledge of Windows environment (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Fluent Finnish and English are a must; knowledge of Estonian and Spanish is a plus

Travel: Region up to 85%, International up to 5% of the fulltime activity

Experience in implementing quality / standard operating procedures

Ability to work under own initiative & within tight deadlines

Attention to detail and organized way of working

Ability to work under pressure and give a fair judgment when required (make a decision and stick to it without being influenced by others)

Please note:

No relocation assistance will be provided for this position