About the Role
To oversee all packing shed operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality processing of bananas while meeting production targets, maintaining compliance, and supervising staff across all operational areas from receival through to dispatch.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operations & Production
- Supervise all packing shed activities including but not limited to: Bunch Hanging, Dehanding, Sorting, Clustering, Packing and Stacking
- Ensure all tasks are performed in accordance with Safe Work Procedures (SWPs)
- Coordinate labour across all stations to maintain smooth workflow
- Monitor production flow to prevent bottlenecks between processes
- Ensure efficient throughput from receival through to packing and stacking
- Maintain continuous supply of materials (boxes, lids, equipment)
- Ensure daily production targets and KPIs are met
- Coordinate carton and lid delivery with local supplier
- Complete shed machinery daily checklist including, Forklift and Truck Checklists
- Ensure scanning devices for the Trucks, Dehanders and QA station are set out and put away daily
2. People Management & Training
- Supervise, support, and direct all shed personnel
- Ensure all employees are trained and competent in their roles
- Verify that all work is performed according to company procedures and SWPs
- Identify training needs and arrange or provide training as required
- Address unsafe behaviours immediately and report to management
- Promote a strong safety culture and positive team environment
3. Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all activities comply with workplace health and safety requirements
- Monitor hazards including:
- Machinery, conveyors, forklifts
- Wet/slippery floors
- Manual handling risks
- Ensure correct use of PPE across all areas
- Enforce safe operation of equipment and machinery
- Report hazards, incidents, near misses, and unsafe behaviours
- Maintain compliance with all site safety procedures and signage
- Ensure biosecurity measures (e.g. TR4 controls) are followed at all times
4. Quality Assurance (QA) & Traceability
- Ensure all QA procedures are followed across the packing shed
- Oversee packed product inspections to confirm:
- Correct fruit size, weight, and grading
- Compliance with customer specifications
- Consistent packing quality
- Ensure sorting processes remove non-conforming fruit before packing
- Verify all QA records are:
- Accurate and complete
- Submitted correctly
- Maintained for full traceability
- Monitor product quality and manage rework or non-conforming product
- Ensure compliance with legislated government policies on packing and customer requirements
5. Chemical Handling & Postharvest Treatment
- Oversee preparation and application of postharvest chemicals (e.g. Protak/Sportak)
- Ensure chemicals are:
- Mixed to correct rates
- Used in accordance with SDS and procedures
- Stored securely
- Ensure correct PPE is worn during chemical handling
- Verify completion of treatment and sterilisation records
- Report chemical hazards, spills, or unsafe handling immediately
6. Waste Management & Environmental Control
- Ensure all waste products are handled in accordance with company procedures
- Oversee waste streams including:
- Reject fruit from sorting and packing
- Stalk and plant waste from dehanding
- Plastic, bags, and general waste
- Scrap fruit via conveyors and chopper systems
- Coordinate scrap processing and disposal, including paddock spreading
- Ensure waste does not impact production efficiency or cleanliness
- Always maintain clean and organised work areas
7. Secondary Product Handling
- Oversee filling of banana bins using suitable fruit from the scrap line
- Ensure:
- Only acceptable fruit is selected
- Non-compliant fruit is returned to scrap
- Bin quantities are accurately counted and recorded
- Coordinate removal and replacement of bins to maintain workflow
8. Dispatch & Product Handling
- Ensure pallets are:
- Stacked correctly and securely
- Removed safely from stackers
- Transported to dispatch areas
- Ensure forklift operations:
- Are performed by licensed operators only
- Follow all safety procedures and site rules
- Monitor pallet flow to prevent delays and ensure efficiency
- Ensure continuous supply of empty pallets to production areas
9. Communication & Coordination
- Report daily production results, KPIs, and issues to the Shed Manager
- Liaise with:
- Maintenance Manager for equipment faults and repairs
- Dispatch Manager for packing requirements and priorities
- Communicate clearly with staff regarding expectations and workflow
10. Equipment & Facility Oversight
- Ensure all equipment is:
- Used safely
- Maintained in good working order
- Report faults and ensure unsafe equipment is not used
- Maintain housekeeping standards across all work areas
- Support pest control and cleaning programs within the shed
Skills & Requirements
- Experience in packing shed or similar production environment
- Strong leadership and team supervision skills
- Ability to meet production targets and KPIs
- Strong understanding of workplace health and safety
- Knowledge of quality assurance and traceability systems
- Excellent attention to detail
- Effective communication and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment