Our client, a leading fruit packing operation, has an exciting career opportunity for an experienced Cold Store Operations Manager to join their team based in the Langkloof (Eastern Cape).

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the overall management of the cold store department, ensuring the effective planning, organisation, and control of all cold store operations while maintaining standards of operational efficiency, technical performance, food safety, and customer service.

Responsibilities will include (but not be limited to): *Cold Store Operations: Managing the intake, storage, and dispatch of fruit; overseeing cold chain management, controlled atmosphere storage, and stock control; ensuring the efficient execution of all cold store activities. *Refrigeration & Facility Management: Overseeing the maintenance and performance of refrigeration equipment, controlled atmosphere facilities, buildings, and site infrastructure; coordinating preventative maintenance, external contractors, and refrigeration system improvements. *Financial Management & Compliance: Preparing and managing departmental budgets; ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, and occupational health and safety standards; maintaining HACCP, GMP, BRC, and company quality assurance systems. *People Leadership: Leading and developing the cold store team; ensuring compliance with relevant labour legislation and company policies. *Strategic Planning & Customer Service: Contributing to strategic planning and future cold store development; ensuring the delivery of an efficient cold storage service to producers, exporters, logistics partners, and other external stakeholders; actively participating as a member of the management team.

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Qualified as Refrigeration Technician (Ammonia Plant); trade test preferred;

• 2-5 years' management experience in the operation of controlled atmosphere and conventional cold stores;

• Sound knowledge of refrigeration systems, cold chain management, and cold store operations;

• Knowledge of Gas-at-Site equipment and cooling monitoring systems will be advantageous;

• Experience within the deciduous fruit industry preferred.

In return, our client offers a competitive salary package that includes accommodation.

Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 14 September 2026.

For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates are contacted. If no feedback is received within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.