Kalfresh is an innovative, fast-growing Queensland horticultural company, focused on farming, processing and marketing fresh conventional and certified organic vegetables across Australia and select export markets. Our head office is situated in Kalbar, just one-hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, in the beautiful Scenic Rim.

We have exciting new opportunities to join our business across a number of full-time roles.

FACILITY / PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

(Salary range $65,000 – $80,000)

Supporting the Production Manager, you will:

Help to ensure the smooth and cost-efficient flow of our production operations to meet customer’s requirements, including grading, packing, cold-chain, hygiene and dispatch.

Supervision and training of a rostered packhouse team, including the safe and proper use of packing equipment.

Ensuring required standards of hygiene are at their highest level within the facility.

Continuous review of production practices, utilities and equipment, to identify opportunities to improve product quality, efficiency, safety, and reduce waste.

Work closely with our maintenance team in problem solving technical issues.

Ensure compliance with all food safety standards and support the food safety team as directed. This includes assessing incoming product, ensuring all QA records are correct, allowing for complete traceability.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

3+ years Production supervisor experience ideally gained within a food manufacturing environment.

Proven success leading a team within a production or manufacturing facility. Your strong leadership skills will ensure the development, guidance and motivation of your team.

Well-developed relationship building, communication skills and ability to engage at all levels of the organisation.

With your keen eye for detail and process improvement mindset, you will be able to spot growth opportunities and proactively manage risks.

Flexible approach to work with the ability to solve problems in a time-pressured environment and reorganise work plans to manage conflicting priorities.

A strong focus on Quality Assurance, Safety and environmental standards Individuals with a trade qualification or suitable tertiary education will be highly regarded.

FORKLIFT DRIVER

(Salary range $65,000 – $80,000)

You will be responsible for:

Operating a forklift to transport fresh food stock.

Organising and maintaining the production room to optimise traffic movement for maximum efficiencies and safe loading Keeping records of dispatch temperatures and load plans for cold chain compliance.

Coordinating with Production and Dispatch teams to ensure packed product meets logistic timelines.

Ensuring required standards of hygiene are at their highest level within the facility.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Current valid forklift licence 1+ years forklift experience ideally gained within manufacturing environment.

A strong focus on Quality Assurance, Safety and environmental standards.

QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

(Salary range $120,000 – $140,000)

You will be responsible for:

The development, planning and deployment of systems that provide our customers with the confidence that Kalfresh products are of the highest quality.

Lead and ensure effective implementation of Kalfresh’s Food Safety & Quality Management System and be the point of contact for all management system audits (including SQF and HARPS).

Provide regular and concise communication to key stakeholders throughout the supply chain to ensure our product quality is maintained from farm to shelf.

Working with the Leadership team to ensure a cohesive and transparent approach which proactively strengthens and supports quality behaviours across the business.

Use your expertise to show our production teams best practice in regards a low, medium and high-risk vegetable processing environment, ensuring all staff are trained on food safety and quality requirements.

Measure, monitor and review the effectiveness of training through observation of packing activities, especially those considered to be Critical Control Points and/or Quality Control Points.

Prompt client communications with respect to non-conformance and/or the resolution of client complaints.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Five (5) plus years’ experience in a technical leadership role in a FMCG environment or fresh food/vegetable processing industry.

Proven success in the application of best practice hygiene methods to reduce the microbiological risks as they exist in fresh food packing facilities.

Well-developed communication skills and the ability to engage at all levels of the organisation. Demonstrated experience leading cross functional teams.

Demonstrated success in the development and implementation of systems that reduce operational waste.

Tertiary Qualifications in Food Science / technology or related technical field is not essential, but highly regarded.

Current HACCP Certification with experience and a demonstrated understanding HARPS, and the SQF standard.

MACHINERY OPERATOR & SUPERVISOR

(Salary range $65,000 –$80,000)

Washing, grading and packing of fresh vegetables relies on the proper set up, maintenance, operation and cleaning of relatively complex machines and equipment.

Other key responsibilities include:

Developing and modifying instructions used for operating, or training people how to operate machines used at Kalfresh.

Hygiene and adherence to cleaning directions including monitoring performance of others used to clean machines and equipment.

Set up and safe start up of machinery using documented task instructions.

Regular verification of machine and equipment performance, including:

Quality of output (e.g. carrot brush, bag seal, under or overweight product)

Weigh head effectiveness

Rotating equipment condition (e.g. rollers, bearings etc)

Refrigeration system effectiveness

Chlorination system effectiveness

Packing machine effectiveness

In process and end of line product quality (i.e. are your machines doing the best thing by the vegetable?)

Grade verification and communication of shifts in grade %

Fault diagnosis and, where appropriate, basic repairs of equipment.

Timely communication to maintenance and the production manager of issues found.

Ensure chemical storage areas are clean and cages / cabinets locked.

Safe and proper shut down of machines and equipment using established procedures.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

3+ years experience in setting up, operating and improving complex machines and processes.

Individuals with a trade qualification or suitable tertiary education will be highly regarded.

MOBILE PLANT OPERATOR

(Salary range $65,000 –$85,000)

Reporting to our Supply & Harvesting Manager, our new harvest team member will be responsible for the harvesting and/or transporting of crops in a timely manner, within the timeline instructed by the Harvest Operations Manager. The Harvest Team member is also responsible for general machine maintenance and monitoring of plant and equipment. Given the nature of the industry, they are required to work in a flexible, ever-changing, fast paced environment, with an understanding that timelines are often impacted by weather, market and other external factors and have the potential to change daily.

Other key responsibilities include:

• Responsibility for driving and operating various types of harvesting machinery.

• Operate machinery with a high level of safety, proficiency and competency.

• Harvest product and/or transport product from farm to shed.

• Host precision harvesting to secure optimal produce from the paddock.

• Ability to assess, report and address issues or abnormalities in the field to ensure efficiency and quality.

• Knowledge in understand key harvesting settings and ability to apply edits for specific crop requirements including soil type, crop size, yield, weed and environmental factors.

• Maintain and respect machines including end of day clean down procedure.

• Inspect machines for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance including oil changes, greasing, refuelling, cleaning, belt changes and basic mechanical upgrades.

• Precision loading of produce using appropriate technique to ensure crops are properly compacted and protected during transportation.

• Assisting with the unloading process which can be completed by the harvester and in some cases, you could be required to manually removing crops to ensure that they are handled with care to prevent damage.

• Maintain record keeping for machine maintenance and ensure the machine is equipped with safety equipment.

• Host clear and precise communication with harvest team, packing and other staff members.

• Report and document quality, quantity and other relevant information if requested.

• Ability to document progress logs, plan routes and meet delivery schedules.

• Comply with truck driving rules and regulations in alignment with company policies.

• Manoeuvre trucks into loading or unloading positions.

• Transport equipment from farm to farm.

• Assist harvest team to reach optimal KPI targets.

• Hold an open mind to learning and advancing your skills in the harvesting sector including ability to operate a broad range of harvesting machinery (Corn, Beans, Carrots, Onions etc)

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• 2+ years harvest experience operating and maintaining Oxbo and Pixall Sweet Corn and Green Bean harvesters as a preference.

• Previous hands on experience with electronic equipment and software (GPS, CB etc).

• Proven work experience as a truck driver.

• Valid truck licence (HR), desired·

• Extensive knowledge of applicable truck driving rules and regulations.

• Ability to drive long hours and travel regularly.

• Adaptability and foresight to handle unexpected situations (weather conditions etc).

• Good time management and organisational skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to demonstrate high level of safety awareness.

• Ability to follow instructions, work independently and within a team.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.

• Availability to be versatile working in SEQ or NQ.

• Strong work ethic.

TRUCK DRIVER

(Salary range $65,000 –$85,000)

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and reliable truck driver to join our team in the harvesting division. Reporting to the Head of Harvesting, your primary objective is to execute safe and timely deliveries of produce between our farms and processing facility based in Kalbar. This is a great opportunity to drive for a reputable company where you can truly make an impact and enjoy employment security in our thriving horticulture industry.

Other key responsibilities include:

Safely transport fresh produce to various locations.

Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

Maintain and report accurate delivery records.

Plan and follow the most effective routes to ensure scheduled deliveries are met.

Recognise and report any vehicle issues and participate in regular maintenance checks.

Perform regular inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Interact professionally with farmers, harvest operators and other stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Valid heavy combination (HC) truck licence. Holding a Multi Combination (MC) licence is an advantage.

Minimum of 3 years driving experience preferred.

Extensive knowledge of applicable truck driving rules and regulations.

Host clear and precise communication with harvest team, packing operations and other staff members.

Great time management and organisational skills.

Dependable with a strong work ethic and punctuality.

Ability to collaborate and work with other team members or independently.

Adaptability and foresight to handle unexpected situations (weather conditions etc).

Previous experience working with fresh produce preferred, but not essential.

About you

These roles would suit those who are passionate about fresh produce, continuous improvement, and being a part of a diverse team environment who are energised about what we do and where we are heading.

Interested? Apply now!

If you have a vision of becoming a major contributor to the growth of a leading Australian Horticultural company, we look forward to hearing from you. Please submit a current resume and cover letter clearly outlining which job that you are applying for and demonstrated suitability.