Chef de party

The primary purpose of this role is to ensure daily trial block maintenance and consistent and accurate data collection for upcoming varieties. Reporting to the Technician (Research & Development), the candidate will be based on Bass*Diii Berries farm located between Worcester and Robertson.

• Daily drip and drain measurements
  
• Adjust irrigation when necessary (after initial training period under the Technician)
  
• Ensure that trial block is presentable to customers at all times
  
• Mix fertiliser tanks and keep record thereof
  
• Maintain irrigation system, i.e. regularly flush irrigation lines, clean pump filters and check dripper placement and function
  
• Keep record of irrigation water and fertilizer usage throughout season
  
• Post-harvest evaluations in season: post chill, post storage and post shelf life
  
• Flower to fruit tracking during the harvest season on selected varieties
  

• Clean, maintain and audit all harvest material e.g. lugs, picking buckets do regular stock take and plan when new material is required
  
• Ensure sample or storage material is labelled and ready for fruit packaging/storage before harvest date
  
• Ensure data collection points are flagged in-field prior to harvesting in peak production period
  
• Harvest fruit for out-of-season varieties ( off season )
  
• Supervise picking team in the peak production period
  
• Ensure fruit is allocated to cold store in time as per OZblu standard
  
• Assist in sample preparation for on-site customer visits or export to customers
  

• Scout for pests on a weekly basis to prevent pest infestations
  
• Report any infestations to technician or Bass*Diii production team
  
• Keep record of spray applications
  
• Weekly plant type data collection: Counting of closed and open flowers, Size-banding of fruit during the harvest season
  

Requirements

Minimum Education/Qualification/Experience:

• Senior certificate / Grade 12 / Matric.
  
• Experience in farming, record keeping, and data collection would be valuable but is not a prerequisite for the job.
  

• Computer literacy: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  
• Excellent communication skills; verbal and written.
  
• Excellent planning skills.
  
• Detail and results orientated.
  
• Ability to function independently.
  
• Ability to achieve deadlines whilst working under pressure.