Quality Manager – Cherry Operations

About the role

The Quality Manager will lead all quality‑related activities for cherry sourcing, packing and export at Goodfarmer’s operations in Curicó, Chile. Working on‑site, you will ensure that cherries meet the stringent requirements of the Chinese market, from orchard to the cold‑storage facility.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor cherry quality throughout production, packing, storage and export.
• Conduct orchard inspections and pre‑harvest quality assessments.
• Perform fruit quality evaluations (firmness, size, colour, defects, Brix) on‑site and upon arrival.
• Coordinate inspections at packing houses and cold‑storage facilities.
• Ensure compliance with export protocols, food‑safety standards and customer specifications.
• Develop and maintain quality‑control procedures and reporting systems.
• Analyse quality trends and recommend continuous‑improvement actions.
• Investigate issues, implement corrective and preventive actions, and manage claims.
• Work with logistics to minimise quality loss during transportation.
• Prepare quality reports for stakeholders in Chile and China.
• Support supplier development and maintain relationships with growers and exporters.
• Participate in audits, certifications and compliance programmes.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Food Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years experience in fresh‑fruit quality management, preferably cherries.
• Strong knowledge of cherry production, post‑harvest handling, cold‑chain operations and export requirements.
• Experience collaborating with growers, packing houses and export companies.

Required skills

• GlobalG.A.P. standards
• HACCP principles
• Fruit quality assessment techniques (firmness, size, colour, Brix)
• Cold‑chain management