Supply & Post Harvest Quality 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?

We are seeking a Supply and Post Harvest Quality Specialist to join our Zespri Global Supply Japan team, based in Fukuoka, Japan. Reporting to the Japan Supply and Post Harvest Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring the consistency, performance and integrity of fruit quality across the Japan supply system.

This is a hands-on, technically focused role working closely with growers, packhouses and internal teams to strengthen quality standards, compliance and operational excellence across the supply chain. You'll support post-harvest quality programmes, leverage data and insights to drive decision-making, contribute to technical trials and storage performance improvements, and help build a more resilient and scalable supply system aligned to Zespri's global strategy.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Supporting the implementation and continuous improvement of post-harvest quality programmes, including packhouse registration, compliance and quality manual application.
• Monitoring pre-cooling, conditioning and post-harvest handling practices to support optimal fruit quality and storage performance.
• Supporting post-harvest audits across packhouses, including facility, quality and loadout assessments.
• Leading and/or supporting storage trials and technical experiments to improve fruit quality, storability and operational practices under Japanese conditions.
• Managing and analysing post-harvest data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Strengthening quality systems, processes and governance across key control points in the supply chain.
• Lead and/or support the review and updating of relevant legal and contractual documents as the Japan business develops
• Building strong working relationships with growers, packhouses, laboratories, third-party providers and internal Zespri teams.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

You’ll bring a strong technical foundation, a structured and analytical approach, and a genuine passion for quality. You enjoy working across the supply chain, using data and insights to make better decisions, and collaborating with others to improve standards, processes and outcomes. You’re someone who builds trust quickly, communicates clearly, and is comfortable working with a diverse range of stakeholders - from growers and packhouses through to internal quality, technical and supply chain teams.

You will bring the following:

• Fluency in both English and Japanese.
• At least three years’ experience in a similar role within a commercial organisation.
• Strong Excel capability and confidence working with Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong data management skills, with the ability to analyse information and identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• A full Japanese driver licence and confidence driving long distances.
• Experience with food safety certifications such as SQF would be advantageous.
• A collaborative, improvement-focused mindset, with strong communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.

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 making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.
 

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity
• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.

Apply Now! Applications close 28 July 2026.

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.

Agency

Zespri will not accept applications or contact from any temporary staffing agency, placement service or professional recruiter for this vacancy (“Agency”). Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to fulfil a vacancy, we will proactively seek this support from our network of Agencies.  We respectfully ask that you do not contact Zespri or any of its affiliates/employees regarding vacancies, and reserve the right not to reply. Zespri will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions or other payments related to such unsolicited resumes.