14 days ago
About this role
- Inspect Medjool dates before purchase according to the company’s quality standards.
- Evaluate fruit maturity, size, color, texture, moisture content, and overall appearance.
- Identify defects including insect damage, disease, fermentation, sunburn, bruising, splitting, dehydration, mold, and mechanical damage.
- Classify Medjool dates into appropriate quality grades.
- Determine acceptance, conditional acceptance, or rejection of each lot.
- Coordinate with the Procurement Team regarding quality decisions before purchase.
- Prepare detailed inspection reports with photos and supporting documentation.
- Monitor harvesting, handling, packaging, and transportation practices at supplier farms.
- Ensure purchased dates maintain traceability from farm to factory.
- Monitor loading operations to prevent contamination and physical damage.
- Collect representative samples for laboratory analysis when required.
- Verify compliance with food safety standards, including GAP and other applicable certifications.
- Maintain supplier quality performance records and recommend corrective actions.
- Support supplier development by providing technical feedback to improve product quality.
- Assist in resolving quality disputes with suppliers.
- Coordinate with the Transportation and Fleet Management Departments to arrange the transportation of the received products
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Food Science, Horticulture, or a related field.
- 2–5 years of experience in quality control, preferably in dates, fresh produce, or agricultural exports.
- Experience with Medjool dates is highly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of Medjool date quality standards.
- Understanding of post-harvest handling and storage practices.
- Knowledge of export quality specifications.
- Familiarity with food safety systems (HACCP, GlobalG.A.P., ISO 22000 is an advantage).
- Excellent inspection and reporting skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Attention to detail.
- Effective communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to travel frequently to supplier farms.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
