Regional Quality Manager

About the Role

At T&G Global Limited, quality plays a pivotal role as we cultivate, pack, and market some of New Zealand's most renowned apples. Every box reaching our customers undergoes rigorous standards to ensure it meets our promise. We are seeking a Regional Quality Manager to oversee quality assurance within the Nelson region, acting as the face of quality control across T&G’s operations and affiliated independent packhouses. This role involves ensuring consistent fruit packing that meets customer specifications and market demands, with a focus on 'right first time' quality outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage the regional quality program collaboratively with Post-Harvest, Quality & Technical teams, packhouses, growers, and service providers.
• Lead quality standards across both T&G and independent packhouses in the Nelson area.
• Develop and implement quality improvement processes to enhance consistency, operational efficiency, and first-time quality success.
• Monitor fruit quality, grading standards, customer requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Analyze quality-related data to detect trends, identify challenges, and recommend actionable solutions.
• Conduct thorough investigations on quality concerns, guiding corrective measures and decisions.
• Coordinate with packhouses on product holds, reworks, or other interventions safeguarding quality and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure adherence to cool-chain management, food safety protocols, market access prerequisites, and audit criteria.
• Lead and mentor a team of permanent and seasonal quality inspectors responsible for hands-on checks throughout the region.
• Prepare for seasonal cycles by reviewing and refining processes, drafting and updating SOPs, and identifying enhanced operational strategies.
• Support ongoing quality management improvements across the broader T&G organization.

What Makes This Position Unique?

• Direct impact across a network of T&G and independent packhouses throughout the South Island, maintaining uniform quality outcomes.
• A dynamic role blending interpersonal engagement, process management, and product oversight.
• Influence through relationship-building and clear communication without always exercising direct authority.
• Opportunity for decisive action influencing product quality risks and balancing customer and commercial needs.
• Scope to innovate processes, enhance SOPs, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in quality, technical, compliance, or assurance roles.
• Strong understanding of quality management systems, including process development and enhancement.
• Analytical capability to interpret data, spot issues, and provide sound recommendations.
• Excellent communication and persuasion skills capable of managing challenging conversations constructively.
• Confidence in decision-making, especially under commercial or operational pressures.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Meticulous attention to detail managing complex information flows and operational variables.
• Self-organized with the ability to work independently and maintain composure during busy periods.

Experience in industries such as pipfruit, horticulture, agriculture, food production, wine, dairy, seafood, or other primary sectors is considered advantageous. While prior knowledge of apples is not mandatory, relevant quality systems expertise, sound commercial judgement, and interpersonal skills are essential and can be developed on the job.

Additional Information

Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in New Zealand and successful completion of drug screening, credit checks, driver license verification, and security clearance.

T&G embraces diversity and inclusion, promoting a workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and encouraged to thrive regardless of differences.

Our heritage dates back over 125 years, originally as Turners and Growers, and today we nourish people worldwide with our fresh produce, striving together for healthier futures.