Quality Assurance and Production Assistant

Passionate about Quality & Food Safety? Do you have a sharp eye for detail, enjoy working with data, and love finding ways to improve QC operations? We’re looking for you!

This is an exciting 5-month Full-Time Fixed Term Contract opportunity from October to February, with the potential to become an ongoing permanent full-time position.

We’re looking for someone with a strong foundation in QC and Food Safety compliance who’s ready to hit the ground running, with role-specific training and support to set you up for success from day one.

In this exciting role, you’ll support the Production & Packing Operations team in driving Quality Assurance and Food Safety compliance throughout the season. You’ll help ensure our operations meet food safety standards, industry regulations and quality requirements.

The Role

This role offers a unique blend of responsibilities across quality assurance, food safety, data collection and reporting.

Reporting to our experienced Production Manager, you’ll play a hands-on role in quality assurance and food safety practices, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and legislation. From analysing data and reporting insights to the Management team at the Packing Facility, your work will directly support operational excellence.

We’re looking for a self-starter with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a practical mindset. In this role, you will:

• Support key quality assurance processes and daily production activities

• Take ownership and make a meaningful impact across compliance and operations

The Company 🍒

We are a growing family-owned premium cherry growing business, based in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, with a wide range of dynamic and exciting business products. We run agri-tourism experiences and supply Australia’s supermarkets, independent grocers, and fresh produce markets. We also export our produce around the world.

Guided by our purpose “Growing Moments of Joy” We foster a team culture where every person is empowered to contribute to our shared success

Why us?

You will be joining a dedicated and passionate team with a fun and hardworking culture who love what we do.

Here is what makes us different:

• You’ll love the location: We’re in Coldstream Victoria in the beautiful Yarra Valley, just under an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD

• You will work for one of the largest cherry growers in Australia

• Leave Loading to give your annual leave a boost

• You’ll work in a close-knit team, learning alongside our experienced team

• Long-term opportunities may be available, with the potential for the position to become permanent full-time

A day in the role:

• Lead the seasonal QC team at our packing facility, providing hands-on support and Food Safety Standards training

• Get hands-on with our cherry grader, learning and supporting quality operations to keep things running smoothly

• Maintain accurate records of quality documentation, including non-conformances, findings, and audit reports

• Assist in root cause analysis and problem-solving activities to address quality issues

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality standards are consistently met

• Conduct internal audits and assisting with external audits

• Develop, implementing, and auditing quality assurance procedures at the Packing Facility

• Provide timely feedback to stakeholders on fruit quality metrics

What we are looking for

We’re looking for a hands-on, proactive team member who enjoys working across quality, food safety and production. You’ll bring a sharp eye for detail, a practical mindset and a passion for keeping things running smoothly.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with a strong ability to prioritise tasks in a fast-paced production environment.

• Proactive and adaptable self-starter with the flexibility to respond to changing quality and production requirements.

• Experience in agriculture, production or manufacturing environment.

• Analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving skills and a focus on driving improvements.

• Confident using digital systems (e.g. QA platforms, data dashboards) to support data capture, identify quality trends, and contribute ideas for continuous improvement.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys a dynamic environment and is excited to be part of our team during the busy peak period (October–February).

About you

• You must hold a current Driver’s license & own transport

• Hold a HACCP training, Agronomy or Food Safety Qualifications (Highly Regarded)

• You have sharp attention to detail and a strong orientation toward compliance and legislation

• Strong interpersonal skills and stakeholder engagement abilities

• Must be team oriented and results focused

• Committed and reliable, with the ability to travel to the primary work location in the stunning Yarra Valley area.

Preferred Experience

• 2 + years of quality management experience in agriculture, food manufacturing or FMCG.

• Proven experience in implementation and continuous improvement of HACCP food quality assurance systems and processes (Highly Regarded)

• Be tech-savvy with using ERP systems and with an orientation toward Artificial intelligence to enhance quality control process.

• Proficiency in MS Office, SharePoint, and data analysis tools.

• Proven experience in liaising with and building strong relationships with stakeholders

Ready to join us?

If the above position sounds like you. Please send us your resume and cover letter telling us why you're the Quality Assurance & Production Assistant we’ve been looking for.

This is a 5-month Fixed Term Contract, with the potential to become an ongoing full-time position for the right person. Applicants must have the right to work full-time in Australia (Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents). Working Holiday Visa holders are also welcome to apply for the fixed-term position. Thank you for considering with opportunity and we look forward to hearing from you.