Ripening Specialist

Roles & Responsibilities

Overall Summary:


We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Ripening Specialist to manage the controlled ripening of bananas, avocados, mangoes, and other climacteric fruits such as peaches, nectarines, and plums. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring consistent fruit quality through precise environmental control, process documentation, and close coordination with logistics, procurement, and sales teams. This position plays a key role in delivering fruit at its peak eating quality while reducing shrink, increasing shelf life, and maintaining high customer satisfaction across retail, wholesale, and foodservice channels.


Core Responsibilities:


1. Ripening Room Operations:

• Set up and monitor ripening room conditions including temperature, humidity, airflow, CO₂ scrubbing, and ethylene gas levels, using automated or manual systems.

• Apply ethylene gas treatment as needed to initiate or control ripening; ensure gas concentrations follow product-specific protocols and safety standards.

• Perform daily physical and sensory inspections of fruit (firmness, color stage, aroma, sugar levels, pressure readings).

• Adjust ripening schedules dynamically based on fruit variety, seasonality, origin, maturity level, and market demand.


2. Quality Assurance & Documentation:

• Maintain comprehensive ripening logs, including batch details, temperature/humidity curves, gas applications, and fruit assessments.

• Conduct quality audits on inbound and outbound fruit loads to ensure consistency with customer and company specifications.

• Identify and address ripening defects or issues such as uneven color, chilling injury, decay, or over-ripening.

• Use tools like penetrometers, refractometers, and pulp thermometers to collect accurate ripeness data.


3. Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Liaise with procurement and logistics teams to plan ripening based on delivery windows, product shelf life, and customer requirements.

• Collaborate with the Quality Control and Sales teams to prioritize fruit batches for ripening and distribution.

• Communicate with warehouse and dispatch teams to ensure proper handling of ripened fruit during loading and shipping.

• Support with co-ordination along with CPD- to liaise with farms on the right produce-during dispatch.


4. Technical and Safety Compliance:

• Ensure that all processes are compliant with HACCP, GAP, FSMA, and internal food safety protocols.

• Follow strict safety guidelines for handling ethylene gas and other controlled substances.

• Report and assist in root cause investigations for any non-conformance or fruit quality complaint.


5. Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze ripening trends over time to refine SOPs, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.

• Stay updated on post-harvest research, new ripening technologies, and market preferences to drive innovation.

• Participate in training programs for junior team members or new hires to promote best practices.


Desired Candidate Profile

Any Nationality

Bachelor of Technology/Engineering(Agriculture, Bio-Technology), Bachelor of Science(Agriculture)

Any

Education & Experience:

• Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Post-Harvest Physiology, Food Science, or related field (preferred but not mandatory with strong experience).

• 3–7 years of hands-on experience in fruit ripening or post-harvest operations, particularly with bananas, avocados, and/or mangoes.
Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with ripening room systems (Interko, Thermal Tech, Pro-Control, etc.).

• Strong understanding of the physiology of climacteric fruits and how maturity, origin, and handling affect ripening behaviour.

• Knowledge of ethylene application, degreening cycles, and pressure testing methods.

• Familiarity with quality control processes and tools (firmness testers, brix meters, etc.).


Other Skills:

• Excellent attention to detail, especially in a temperature- and time-sensitive environment.

• Strong data recording and reporting abilities.

• Good communication and team coordination skills.

• Ability to work early mornings, extended hours, and weekends when necessary.


Physical & Environmental Requirements:

• Able to work in ripening rooms (50–65°F / 10–18°C) and cold storage environments.

• Lift and move boxes/crates up to 50 lbs frequently.

• Stand, walk, bend, and climb ladders throughout the shift.

• Work safely around gas cylinders and industrial equipment.