Pre Harvest Specialist

Kō wai mātou? Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Reporting to the Pre Harvest Lead, based in Bologna, the Pre Harvest Specialist is responsible to support pre harvest activities such as crop protection standard, crop estimation and residue management for Europe. Please note this is a 24 month Fixed Term contract.

Key responsibilities include:

• Review, update, amend and issue the Crop Protection Standard of different countries and varieties
• Execute and report the pre-season residue program
• Coordinate with the Pre Harvest Lead to ensure efficient residue collection, sampling, and reporting aligned with the clearance process
• Support the execution of the residue seasonal program of different varieties
• Visit orchards across Italy during summer period to ensure accuracy of crop estimation data provided
• Analyze data
• Attend weekly technical conference calls as required
• Collaborate with other members of technical team on doing audit and post-harvest activities
• Collaborate with other Zespri teams as necessary
• Provide assistance to the broader ZGS Quality and Technical team as needed.
• Participate in technical reviews

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

We are looking for a candidate who has 3 to 5 years' experience in horticulture operations and/or relevant contract support services, who is driven to further develop professionally in a diverse and international environment, while connecting with local communities. You will also have:

• A Bachelor in Agricultural Sciences or a tertiary qualification in biological or applied sciences, with a strong understanding of entomology, plant pathology, and plant physiology.
• The ability to speak fluently in Italian and English with French being advantageous.
• Knowledge with regards to residue standards, testing procedures, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
• An analytical mindset will be a significant asset, enabling you to effectively interpret data, identify trends
• A clean driving license is a must.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is essential.
• Flexibility with the ability to work extra hours, especially during the peak season from September to November, including some weekends and being accessible by phone/email outside regular hours.

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of being personally connected, results-driven, and committed to guardianship. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.

• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Additional paid volunteer day to volunteer within your community (Volunteer Time).

Tono mai inaianei!

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.