Broetje Orchards is now seeking an experienced technician to help implement the company’s post-harvest apple program. This person will help organize and implement the company’s storage program for organic and conventional apples.The ideal candidate must be a strong team player, excellent communicator, well organized, and capable of working across multiple departments.
The Post-Harvest Manager will monitor storage conditions, track results, evaluate post-harvest treatments and assess the effectiveness of the company’s program. Formal education, technical training, and/or industry-related working experience is necessary. The candidate should be a motivated self-starter who values team building. Some travel is required to attend informational and educational meetings. Bilingual communication skills are a plus. This is a year-round position located near the Tri-Cities. This position reports to the Business Manager.
- Working Experience and/or Technical Degree in the area of horticulture
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to develop and organize reports and spreadsheets
- Working knowledge of modern, diverse warehouse production and storage practices
- Capable to work as a contributing team member, while being self-motivated
- Ability to implement projects under pressure
- Working experience motivating and leading teams in a positive manner
- Proficiency in English and Spanish, a plus
- Familiar and comfortable using Microsoft Office programs
- Accountability: model and promote Broetje Orchards’ mission, vision, and core values of love, community, respect, compassion, and purpose.
- Technical Experience: implement a successful post-harvest program, utilizing best management practices that sustains fruit quality, generates economical pack outs, and limits storage decay and disorders; work and support a team and team members to achieve key objectives; and monitor storage conditions; evaluate storage regime outcomes and suggest necessary changes.
- Leadership: maintain focus on organizational goals and objectives; work as a valued team member; actively work across multiple departments; develop employees as leaders, and serve as a positive role model for other team members.
- Coordination: develop and implement post-harvest storage planning and storage regimes for both conventional and organic fruit; develop and implement a quality control system at time of receiving fruit, during the storage period and prior to packing; Review costs and program effectiveness.
- Communication: distribute post-harvest fruit quality information in a timely and meaningful method to key team members throughout the post-harvest process; provide consistent and informative communication between all employees and outside partners; manage record keeping and reporting systems.
- Develop and Implement a successful post-harvest program for organic and conventional apples
- Monitor fruit condition through the entire post-harvest process, from receiving to packing
- Develop storage plans, storage regimes and post-harvest treatments
- Coordinate a comprehensive evaluation process that tracks results and outcomes, from receiving to packing
- Track Controlled-Atmosphere conditions for all varieties throughout the storage process
- Develop and implement a fruit sample program to monitor fruit condition during storage process
- Coordinate the post-harvest meetings with Refrigeration, Receiving and Production
- Produce and distribute an annual report, evaluating storage regime outcomes, assess strengths, weaknesses and necessary changes
- Develop and implement protocols to qualify fruit successfully for Mexico, Taiwan and China
- Manage all necessary record keeping and reporting systems
- Seek out the latest information on post-harvest related issues and help keep team members informed of new trends and techniques
Bachelor degree in Horticulture, Agricultural Science, or Ag Economics; and/or working experience in tree fruit production.