The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO)

The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation is a Statutory Body responsible; inter alia for the development of the agricultural sector through the creation of an environment conducive to the growth and development of markets for agricultural products. The Corporation, in order to fulfill its mandate is seeking to recruit dynamic professionals to join its team to take the sector forward.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals to fill the following position within the Corporation:

MANAGER – PACKINGHOUSE
The Manager, Packinghouse will be directly responsible for the efficient management of our Packinghouse facility at Piarco. He/She will manage the facility as a major revenue-generating operation on behalf of the Corporation. He/She will be responsible for the efficient management of the facility as a one-stop-shop for preparation, packaging, storage and delivery of fresh produce for clients serving the local, regional and international markets with locally produced foods, as well as imported foods of strategic importance.

The incumbent will be also responsible for the management and promotion of Food Safety Protocols at the facility according to international standards. He/She must also operate the facility as a teaching and demonstration center to encourage private investment in similar facilities and processes to improve competitiveness and general development of the industry. The Manager is required to aggressively promote and utilise the facility as a major revenue- generating operation on behalf of the Corporation.

Key Functions and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the planning, development, coordination and execution of the approved programme of work of the Packinghouse;

• Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Packing house;
• Develop and implement quality assurance and management systems for operation of the Packinghouse towards achieving international certification;
• Liaise with relevant departments of the Corporation in execution of the Corporation’s mandate;
• Provide comprehensive technical assistance and advice to the Corporation in the area of post- harvest handling, primary processing, packaging, and grades and standards;
• Operate the facility as a teaching and demonstration center to encourage private investment in similar facilities and processes to improve competitiveness and general development of the industry;
• Provide incubator services at the Packinghouse for new value-added and processing businesses; and
• Aggressively promote and utilise the facility as a major revenue-generating operation on behalf of the Corporation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Postgraduate Degree in Food Science or Agriculture, preferably specializing in Food Technology, Post-Harvest Management, or Process Engineering and Management or related field of study;

• At least five (5) years experience in a management or senior supervisory role in a similar environment preferably in the food handling or food processing industry.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

• Good understanding of process flows in the food production industry;

• Knowledge of essential and modern state-of-the-art processes, equipment and packaging;
• Knowledge and exposure to international food safety regulations and processes (HACCP, ISO, EUROGAP, GMP, GAP etc.);
• Experience in conducting bench trials and commercial-scale pilot projects;
• Good understanding of the agri-food sector and related issues in local, regional and international markets; and
• Knowledge of export marketing.

Applications together with a detailed resume and contact information should be submitted by 7th November 2008 and should be addressed to:

UNSUITABLE/LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACKNOWLEDGED