Vegetable Inspector

Harvest Moon is one of Australia’s largest fresh vegetable suppliers. We supply 100% Australian fresh vegetables to major Australian food retailers and to our export markets. 

Harvest Moon grows roughly 70,000 tons of carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, beans, swede, and beetroot annually in and around the township of Forth in northern Tasmania and just outside Narrandera in New South Wales. We operate two other sites on mainland Australia, in Werribee South (Victoria) and Gatton (Queensland). Our mainland growing, production and logistics capabilities give Harvest Moon nationwide exposure through markets and retail networks. From this market leading position, we work incredibly hard to keep improving the quality of our produce and meet our consumers' desires for 100% Australian fresh produce all year round. 

Your Role 

We are looking for an experienced Vegetable Inspector to ensure that our fresh produce meets the required standard of specification and quality. The position will monitor, implement and audit quality procedures and ensure vegetables meet the required standards of size, grade and quality. The role has a number of operational deliverables related to food quality and safety outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that inspection procedures are conducted across the line to ensure that produce is graded appropriately
• Plan and monitor packing to ensure that vegetables are packed to order
• Oversee the packouts and produce quality to optimise returns to the business
• Provide feedback to the farm on trends related to inspection of produce and grading
• Ensure that quality assurance and compliance procedures are implemented and maintained within the pack shed
• Support Quality Assurance with the design and planning related to quality procedures
• Conduct testing and sizing of produce to the appropriate standard
• Ensure produce is packed and stored to the appropriate standard
• Ensure all operational procedures such as wash treatments, fungicide application, waxing or coating (where applicable), cold chain management, etc. are implemented
• Maintain and improve safe systems of work and working conditions
• Cost management through process and quality controls including management of produce to quality standards, wastage reduction and achieving targeted premium grades on time to meet sales demands
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and health and safety standards
• Ensure that quality procedure audits are undertaken and corrective actions are implemented

Skills & Experience

• Relevant Diploma Level Qualifications; 
• Three years or more of proven experience in a similar role may be considered lieu of in formal qualifications; 
• Knowledge of vegetable produce quality inspection standards and practices
• Knowledge of vegetable varieties, grades and quality standards
• Understanding of food safety, hygiene and biosecurity requirements
• Strong focus on achieving results
• Experience with grading and packing line operations
• Ability to lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in produce inspection
• Effective communication skills with farm, operations and management teams
• Competency in data recording, KPI reporting and documentation