Waste Officer

Job Type:  Casual    Location:  Longford    Reporting to:  General Manager/Operations Manager  

Position Description:  The Waste Officer is a fully independent role responsible for real-time monitoring of harvest quality and waste in the field. This role supports strategic quality improvement by collecting detailed data from row and bucket checks and reporting findings daily to key managers and supervisors.

This position plays a critical role in identifying trends, minimising waste, and enhancing picker performance through consistent observation, data collection, and reporting. The role is independent of the PALM workforce and requires a reliable, observant local team member with excellent communication and analytical skills.

The goal is to ensure a highly controlled, time-efficient harvest operation with visible quality accountability across all berry types.

Key responsibilities include:

·        Independently manage quality checks across all harvest sites, ensuring broad and representative coverage daily.

Conduct row checks, including:

• Planning the daily check strategy

• Visually inspecting rows for missed fruit (all berry types)

• Recording picker name, block, row, issues, and photographic evidence

• Identifying trends in quality issues (e.g. missed Class 1 or Class 2 fruit)

Conduct bucket checks, including:

• Tipping waste buckets into yellow trays to identify and categorise fruit issues

• Weighing and recording waste types to quantify where loss is occurring

• Taking photos and logging percentages and issue types per picker

·         Input all collected data directly into field reporting systems

·         Send real-time and end-of-day data reports to GM, OM, Harvest Manager, HR, and relevant managers

·         Assist in developing corrective strategies based on daily findings

·         Maintain high standards of confidentiality and data accuracy

·         Assist with planning and briefing notes for the following day’s activities

Daily Routine Overview (Example):

1.      Arrive, collect daily list and planning targets

2.      Conduct morning strawberry row checks and input/send data

3.      Conduct strawberry bucket checks and send results to Harvest Manager

4.      Conduct raspberry row and bucket checks after lunch

5.      Return to office, finalise data input, summarise trends, clean up, plan strategy and targets for the next day

6.      Prepare briefing notes for incoming assessor (if rotating staff are used)

Qualifications/Experience/Personal Attributes

• Excellent observational and reporting skills

• Comfortable with independent fieldwork and time-managed scheduling

• Highly reliable and self-directed

• Strong attention to detail, particularly in identifying quality issues

• Fluent in English (spoken and written)

• Capable of working outdoors in varying conditions and on foot for extended periods

• Basic tech/data input confidence (tablet or mobile entry).