Technical Operations Lead

Zespri International

Technical Operations Lead at Zespri responsible for leading key post-harvest activities across Europe. Engage with various stakeholders to enhance fruit quality and cool chain management.

Posted 7/29/2026full-timeBologna • 🇮🇹 ItalySenior💰 €45,000 - €57,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in cold chain management, post-harvest operations, and inventory management, with strong analytical skills to interpret data and improve storage processes. Proficient in coaching and building capability with suppliers and technical teams while ensuring compliance and accuracy in operations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Cold Chain ManagementPost-Harvest OperationsInventory ManagementAnalytical CapabilityFluency in Italian and English

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Kiwifruit Production SystemsPre-Harvest ProcessesPost-Harvest ProcessesCold Store OperationsData AnalysisReporting SkillsTrial ManagementStock MonitoringPurchase Order ManagementInvoice Processing

Soft Skills

CoachingInfluencingBuilding CapabilityPlanningOrganizing

Certifications & Qualifications

Degree in Applied SciencesDegree in Biological Sciences

Industry Keywords

Cold Chain IntegritySmart Monitoring Storage LibraryPost-Harvest TechnologiesSupply Chain ManagementEuropean Packhouses

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Leading cool chain management activity, including stock monitoring and supporting European packhouses through the season.
Ensuring cold chain integrity across truck, charter vessel and container transport movements.
Developing and managing the Long-Term Storage trial programme across Europe.
Driving execution of the Smart Monitoring Storage Library programme across France, Italy and Greece.
Coordinating storage trial resources with internal teams and external partners across key European locations.
Partnering with Innovation and Global Technical teams to develop future storage trials that improve pack-out, storage duration and fruit quality.
Identifying, investigating and trialling new post-harvest technologies in collaboration with universities, suppliers, industry contacts and Zespri technical teams.
Building capability with supply partners, laboratories and packhouse teams to lift post-harvest performance.
Analysing and reporting trial outcomes in a structured, searchable format, including annual reviews and end-of-season performance analysis.
Managing purchase orders and invoice processing for the Technical Operations team, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely approval.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Fluency in Italian and English; French would be advantageous.
The ability to coach, influence and build capability with suppliers, partners and packhouse technical teams.
3-5 years’ experience in post-harvest operations.
Knowledge of kiwifruit production systems, pre- and post-harvest processes, cold store operations and inventory management.
Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends and understand whole-system interdependencies.
A clean driving licence and flexibility to travel within Italy, across Europe and internationally as required.
Strong planning, organising, writing and reporting skills.
A degree in Applied Sciences, Biological Sciences or equivalent experience.
Flexibility around working hours, particularly during the main season from September to December, including some weekend work and out-of-hours accessibility when required.

Benefits

Comp & perks

FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
Group Medical Insurance benefits.