POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is responsible for providing technical support of Chiquita Products and processes to both Chiquita owned operations and at customers. This will include current products, new products, and test products. This position will audit internal and external processes at both Chiquita and customer operated ripening centers and make recommendations that promote optimal shelf life and generate loyal customer satisfaction. This position also requires the ability to effectively step-in to handle the lead ripening role and deliver expected outbound banana color and pulp temperatures.

This is an exempt position. The primary duty of this role is office/non-manual work directly related to management or general business operations of the employer. This role includes discretion and independent judgement in matters of significance.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

Provide produce management support for Chiquita DCs to include fruit ordering, forecasting, inventory control, and processing.

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

Perform customer ripening room audits including publishing comprehensive comparisons of key ripening room measurements to established SOP’s and provide solution paths for any operating challenges.

Fill in effectively as the lead or Support Ripener when assigned to Chiquita or customer ripening operations including effectively managing inventory and the outbound color & pulp temperatures achievements to that location’s targets.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Associates degree in Science or Agriculture and/or equivalent experience in Produce, Quality, Technical Sale, Field Auditing and Banana Ripening.

1-3 years in produce operations/handling. Understanding how produce/ fruit behaves under different conditions, the effects of temperatures, etc.

BA/BS degree in Business or related field required.

The ability to lift from 8” off the ground to 72” produce boxes weighing up to 52# but mostly 45# up to 40 times per day.

Specific experience processing/ripening bananas highly preferred. Experiences in inventory control and quality assurance are also helpful.

Experiences working within Distribution Center environment.

Working with and developing EXCEL tools used in areas such as inventory control & logistics a major plus.

Strong integrity, work ethic and physical condition.

Available for frequent travel and possible relocation.

Ability to collaborate and work as a team across functions.

Sense of urgency and follow through.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills a must.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment as well as 55 degrees’ warehouse environment.

Must be able to repeatedly lift 45 Lbs. up to 80 inch off the ground.

Incumbent may stand for long periods of time.

The banana rooms are long and narrow with only an opening in the front - Incumbent must be able to perform some duties in confined spaces.

Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone, and other office equipment in the course of normal workday.

Stooping, bending, twisting, lifting, pulling, pushing, and reaching may be required in completion of job duties.

The ability to view/distinguish color and assess accurately.