Specialist Technical Services

Position Overview

The Specialist Technical Services role focuses on delivering technical assistance for Chiquita's produce products and operational procedures both internally and at customer sites. The specialist supports existing, new, and trial products to optimize performance.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide training to customers on general and specialized handling methods for produce and specialty items throughout the entire supply chain, spanning from origin to retail.
• Support management of produce inventory at Chiquita distribution centers, including fruit ordering, demand forecasting, and inventory tracking.
• Offer technical expertise for custom packing projects, launching alternative fresh products, and conducting test initiatives.
• Conduct audits of customer ripening rooms, developing detailed reports comparing key metrics with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and suggesting corrective measures for identified operational issues.
• Serve as Lead or Support Ripener when assigned at Chiquita or customer ripening operations, managing inventory and achieving targeted banana outbound color and pulp temperature.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science, agriculture, or equivalent practical experience related to produce, quality control, technical sales, field auditing, or banana ripening.
• 1 to 3 years of hands-on experience in produce handling and operations, with a strong understanding of produce behavior under different conditions such as temperature.
• Physical ability to lift boxes of produce up to 52 pounds (commonly 45 pounds) from heights between 8 and 72 inches, up to 40 times daily.
• Preferred experience with banana processing and ripening techniques.
• Knowledge of inventory management and quality assurance processes is advantageous.
• Demonstrated strong work ethic, integrity, and physical stamina.
• Capacity for frequent travel as required by the role.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse teams and work across departments effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills coupled with a strong sense of urgency and commitment to completing tasks.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• The job is carried out in various settings including offices, warehouses, produce ripening rooms, and refrigerated storage.
• Frequent lifting of produce boxes weighing approximately 45 pounds to heights up to 80 inches for inspection purposes.
• Prolonged standing may be necessary during tasks.
• Working conditions include confined spaces such as narrow ripening rooms with single front openings.
• Routine use of office equipment like calculators, computers, and phones is required.
• Physical activities include frequent stooping, bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, and reaching.
• Ability to accurately evaluate produce color and quality is essential.