Quality Control Engineer

• Inspect Medjool dates before purchase according to the company’s quality standards.
• Evaluate fruit maturity, size, color, texture, moisture content, and overall appearance.
• Identify defects including insect damage, disease, fermentation, sunburn, bruising, splitting, dehydration, mold, and mechanical damage.
• Classify Medjool dates into appropriate quality grades.
• Determine acceptance, conditional acceptance, or rejection of each lot.
• Coordinate with the Procurement Team regarding quality decisions before purchase.
• Prepare detailed inspection reports with photos and supporting documentation.
• Monitor harvesting, handling, packaging, and transportation practices at supplier farms.
• Ensure purchased dates maintain traceability from farm to factory.
• Monitor loading operations to prevent contamination and physical damage.
• Collect representative samples for laboratory analysis when required.
• Verify compliance with food safety standards, including GAP and other applicable certifications.
• Maintain supplier quality performance records and recommend corrective actions.
• Support supplier development by providing technical feedback to improve product quality.
• Assist in resolving quality disputes with suppliers.
• Coordinate with the Transportation and Fleet Management Departments to arrange the transportation of the received products

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Food Science, Horticulture, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in quality control, preferably in dates, fresh produce, or agricultural exports.
• Experience with Medjool dates is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Medjool date quality standards.
• Understanding of post-harvest handling and storage practices.
• Knowledge of export quality specifications.
• Familiarity with food safety systems (HACCP, GlobalG.A.P., ISO 22000 is an advantage).
• Excellent inspection and reporting skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Attention to detail.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel frequently to supplier farms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.