Quality & Technical Manager

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?

Based in Shanghai or Taipei, the Quality & Technical Manager is accountable for delivering seasonal volume and revenue targets for Taiwan and Hong Kong, strengthening supply chain capability across Greater China, and overseeing quality claims, budgets, and facility and QC audits. The role leads fruit quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance while building strong customer partnerships and driving operational excellence across vessel discharge, 3PLs, transportation, quality management, supplier accountability, packaging, ripening, and sustainability, in alignment with global and market strategies to improve efficiency, resilience, sustainability and technical capability.

Key Responsibilities

Delivering the Season
- Drive seasonal volume, revenue, and market return targets for New Zealand- and Italy-origin fruit in line with the 5‑Year Plan.
- Lead cross‑functional coordination across NZ Supply, Shipping, Export Documentation, IBP, and in‑market S&OP to ensure smooth seasonal execution.
- Oversee IBP sales forecasting for Taiwan and support finance teams with pricing, customer fund setup, credit creation, and payments.

Total Quality Management
- Lead Total Quality Management to enable data‑driven decisions, continuous quality improvement, and waste reduction for long‑storage products.
- Manage the in‑market Supplier Accountability team in Taiwan, ensuring effective implementation and continuous improvement of the program.
- Strengthen relationships with retailers, distributors, and wholesalers while managing supply chain quality and risk.
- Lead customer communications to ensure alignment between internal teams and customer expectations.

Supply Chain Strategy Development
- Develop and execute supply chain strategies for Taiwan and Hong Kong in partnership with the GCR Head of Supply Chain and Global Supply Chain Development teams.
- Define and implement in‑market supply chain strategies covering supply, network design, distribution, quality, 3PL management, inventory, and stakeholder engagement.
- Collaborate with distributors and DKAs to align their supply chain strategies with Zespri’s integrated supply chain approach.

Customer Claim Management
- Own claim forecasting, budgeting, and analysis for the Greater China region.
- Lead the design and implementation of the new customer claim system (Horizon Phase 2), with accountability for the annual claims budget.

Planning & Supply
- Drive integrated business planning with Zespri, distributors, and DKA customers.
- Lead tactical planning to ensure efficient day‑to‑day supply chain operations and customer fulfilment.
- Implement end‑to‑end operations planning across production, materials, inventory, and capacity.

Quality & Technical Leadership
- Act as the subject‑matter expert in fruit quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance, supporting internal and external communications.
- Manage food safety risk frameworks and control measures.
- Monitor regulatory developments and global trends impacting fresh food retail.
- Lead in‑market trials (e.g. packaging, storage, ripening) and support technical and facility infrastructure improvements.

Facility & QC Audits
- Oversee facility and cold‑chain audits to ensure compliance with Zespri quality assurance standards.
- Manage internal audits across Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong, covering hubs, customer facilities, and QC teams.

Capability Building – TW/HK Supply Chain
- Strengthen QC team performance and customer technical capabilities while optimising direct costs.
- Lead technology adoption initiatives (e.g. Clarifruit, Soft Fruit Tester, MacView) to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

We are seeking a quality professional with over 10 years of experience in the supply chain field and a proven ability to perform in a complex, fast-paced environment. You will also demonstrate the following:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agri-Science, Food Science, Supply Chain, or relevant
• Strong knowledge and experience in customer relationship management
• Excellent negotiation skills, with strong planning, data analysis, and target-oriented capabilities
• An understanding of fresh produce or perishable product businesses (an advantage)
• Experience leading Joint Business Planning (JBP) initiatives (an advantage)
• Strategic thinking combined with a strong analytical approach to sales
• The ability to manage multiple tasks while engaging with diverse stakeholders
• A collaborative, pragmatic mindset with a proven ability to lead and take ownership
• Willingness and ability to travel for business purposes

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. Please note that individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, performance and work location
• 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)
• Life, Income and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Premium Group Medical Insurance benefits.
• Kiwifruit supplies to be delivered home during different seasons!

Tono mai inaianei! Apply Now! Applications close 29 April 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.