Ripening & Post-Harvest Manager (Fresh Produce)

About the role

A leading international fresh produce company is seeking an experienced Ripening & Post-Harvest Manager to lead its commercial fruit ripening operation in South Africa. The successful candidate will have strong expertise in fruit physiology, commercial ripening, post-harvest management, and ethylene treatment systems, with a particular focus on mangoes and avocados. Experience in banana ripening or citrus de‑greening will also be considered.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and optimise all commercial ripening room operations.
• Develop and implement ripening programmes for different fruit types, varieties, and maturity levels.
• Operate automated ripening systems (e.g., PROBA 5, VASP).
• Monitor temperature, humidity, airflow, CO₂, oxygen and ethylene levels.
• Conduct fruit quality assessments, ripening trials, and performance analyses.
• Troubleshoot ripening and quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate ripening records and reporting.
• Lead, train and develop the ripening team.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years' commercial fruit ripening or post‑harvest experience.
• Proven experience operating commercial ripening rooms and ethylene systems.
• Strong understanding of fruit physiology, ripening processes, and shelf‑life management.
• Experience developing and adjusting ripening programmes based on fruit condition.
• Direct experience with mango or avocado ripening is highly advantageous.

Required skills

• PROBA 5 ripening system operation
• VASP ripening system operation
• Ethylene treatment system management
• Temperature monitoring
• Humidity monitoring
• Airflow monitoring
• CO₂ monitoring
• Oxygen monitoring