Senior Technologist

Requirements: - Brand integrity and product safety, - Develop technically leading edge, innovative and high-quality products, - Provide input and drive implementation of category strategies, - Manage and monitor technical function in order to meet departmental KPIs, - Product and process audits, including the formulation of specifications, - Quality monitoring and reporting, - Packaging development, with respect to legislation, functionality, business objectives and shelf life, - Maintain world class supplier standards in terms of technology and hygiene, - Ensure suppliers provide quality products consistently and according to Woolworths standards, - Educate, inform, and share knowledge/information with category members, suppliers, and the organisation appropriately, - Build customer trust by ensuring foods safety, quality, and consistency of products, and preventing re-occurrence of non-compliance. - Minimum BSc Agriculture with relevant subjects, including entomology, pathology, and agronomy, - Relevant experience in the fruit industry, with specific focus production/agronomy, and post-harvest processes in grape, - Minimum 8- 10 years experience in the fruit industry, and a willingness to learn/gain experience on a wider range of fruit crops (e.g. avocado, citrus), - Experience in sourcing and costing in fruit industry, - In-depth knowledge of supplier operations and adherence to relevant technical and quality standards, - Quality mind-set, - Strategic development and planning skills, - Confident team leader, - Business acumen, judgement and problem-solving, - Project management skills, - Networking and influencing skills within the fruit industry, - Knowledge of packaging, - Assertive communication and conflict handling skills - Pro-active, innovative, and entrepreneurial, - Flexible with ability to travel extensively, - Ability to work effectively in a stressful environment,