• Are You a Ripening Expert Ready to Define Quality on a National Scale

• Do you have the strategic vision to implement a national, best-in-class quality program?

• Sydney (Norwest Location)  with Attractive Salary and Amazing team benefits 

We are Woolworths Group

We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts, and unique perspectives across Australia and New Zealand. Connected by a shared Purpose - 'to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow'. That Purpose fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments, and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week.

If you're excited to turn today's blue-sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you'll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering workplace. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work, and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

What you’ll do 

We are seeking a National Ripening Manager to lead, coach, and empower a high-performing, geographically dispersed team of Fruit Ripeners. This critical role is the linchpin in delivering an exceptional, differentiated offer that consistently delights our customers. You won't just manage processes; you'll own the quality and consistency of our ripened fruit, setting the national standard for the entire category.

This is a strategic leadership role with clear operational impact. You will be accountable for:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop, implement, and manage a robust National Operational Framework that standardises our ripening approach, processes, and quality standards across the country.

• Team Development: Lead, mentor, and provide comprehensive training to a national team of Fruit Ripeners, fostering a culture of expertise, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Quality & Science: Utilise your expert knowledge of ripening science and maturity patterns to continuously monitor, influence, and improve ripening cycles, working closely with F&V Agronomy.

• Process Excellence: Define and audit end-to-end best practices, from product receipt and inspection protocols to in-store quality checks, ensuring compliance and reducing waste.

• Process Maintenance: Implementation of best practices for asset management through auditing processes and development and implementation of equipment maintenance schedules.

• Stakeholder Partnerships: Build strong, transparent relationships with Growers, Suppliers, and internal teams (Category Managers, Buyers, Supply Chain) to ensure a consistent supply of quality ripened fruit and seamless program execution.

• Operational Planning: Develop detailed seasonal outlook reports and manage room mapping/capacity planning to proactively adjust ripening protocols for optimal results.

As part of this role there will be a requirement to travel to our Distribution Centres and amazing Grower Partners around Australia.

What You’ll Bring

To succeed in this role, you must be a strategic thinker with a hands-on passion for product quality:

• Ripening Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of the fruit ripening process, particularly for avocados and bananas, is highly valued.

• Proven Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading, coaching, and developing a high-performing, geographically dispersed team.

• Strategic Thinker: The ability to develop and execute a national strategy with a focus on long-term, sustainable, and commercially viable outcomes.

• Customer-Centric: Every decision is guided by a passion for delivering the best possible quality end-product to our customers.

• Collaborative Communicator: Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills to work effectively with frontline teams, senior management, and external partners.

• Drive & Autonomy: Highly driven, self-motivated, and able to work autonomously to identify opportunities and proactively drive initiatives forward.

What you’ll experience

• A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.

• Access to Sonder.  Sonder provides free confidential 24/7 personalised financial, medical safety, psychological or physical support for team members and their families.

• A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you.  

• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work.

• Opportunity to Salary Sacrifice, enabling team members to purchase selected eligible items or services from pre-tax salary.  Can be used for novated leases, superannuation contributions, Qantas Club membership, computing devices etc.

Endless possibilities with Woolworths Group

We’re a proud part of the Woolworths Group – 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives working together connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ 

Here you’ll be supported and empowered to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. Backed by a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and the support to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.