SELEBI PHIKWE CITRUS Hiring: Citrus Packhouse Manager – Apply by 12 Oct 2026

JOB AVAILABLE: Citrus Packhouse Manager

Location: Selebi Phikwe, Botswana
Company: Selebi Phikwe Citrus
Reports to: Operational Manager

The role

Selebi Phikwe Citrus is looking for an experienced Citrus Packhouse Manager to take responsibility for the daily performance of its packhouse. This is a hands-on leadership role covering fruit processing, packing quality, people, equipment, cold-chain coordination, logistics and cost control.

The successful candidate will ensure that fruit is packed safely, efficiently and to the required local and export standards, while protecting product quality, reducing waste and supporting a profitable operation.

Key responsibilities

• Operations and production Plan and manage daily intake, line capacity, grading, sizing, packing programmes and dispatch. Achieve throughput, packout, quality and productivity targets while reducing fruit damage, rework and post-harvest waste.
• Quality assurance and compliance Maintain food-safety, hygiene, traceability and audit systems. Ensure compliance with phytosanitary protocols, residue and chemical-application requirements, customer specifications and applicable certification standards, including GLOBALG.A.P. and BRCGS.
• Cold chain and logistics Oversee degreening, pre-cooling and cold-room management; monitor pulp temperatures; coordinate container loading, dispatch schedules, transport and the accurate completion of export documentation.
• People leadership Lead line supervisors, quality teams, floor operators and seasonal employees. Plan labour requirements, set productivity standards, train and develop employees, manage performance and maintain disciplined workplace health and safety practices.
• Maintenance and technical management Coordinate preventive maintenance and rapid breakdown response for sorting and grading machinery, optical sizers, chemical-application systems, conveyors and packing-line equipment to minimise downtime.
• Financial and administrative management Manage the packhouse operating budget, labour and packaging costs, and inventories of cartons, pallets, labels and consumables. Maintain accurate records and report agreed production, quality, waste, downtime, labour and cost KPIs to the Operational Manager.
• Continuous improvement Use production and quality data to identify constraints, investigate variances and implement practical improvements in packout, throughput, fruit quality, labour productivity, equipment utilisation and cost per carton.

Experience and qualifications

• Education A relevant degree or diploma in Agriculture, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Production Management or a related field.
• Experience At least five years’ substantial experience in citrus packing operations, including a minimum of two to three years in a packhouse management role.
• Packhouse operations Proven experience in production planning, fruit intake, grading, packing, packout optimisation, cold-chain control, dispatch and local and export packing programmes.
• Quality and compliance Strong practical knowledge of fruit quality, food safety, hygiene, traceability, phytosanitary and market-specific export requirements, and audit preparation. Working knowledge of GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS and related customer standards is required.
• Technology and systems Experience with optical fruit sorting and grading equipment, such as MAF Roda or Gossamer, and packhouse or ERP systems, such as Paltrack, or comparable technologies.
• Commercial management Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, labour, packaging materials, productivity, waste and operating costs using accurate production information.

Skills and approach

• Leadership A visible, accountable leadership style with the ability to lead large permanent and seasonal teams in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
• Planning and judgement Strong planning, organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with calm decision-making under pressure.
• Communication Clear written and verbal communication, sound conflict-resolution skills and confidence in reporting to senior management and working with growers, exporters, inspectors and service providers.
• Digital capability Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook, and the ability to use production, traceability and reporting systems accurately.
• Work requirements A valid driver’s licence, willingness to relocate to Selebi Phikwe, Botswana, and availability to work extended or flexible hours during peak packing periods.

Remuneration

A competitive, market-related package will be offered, based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

How to apply

Please send your CV to bitc@sphikwecitrus.com.
Closing date: Monday 12 October 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.