Quality Assurance

Corporate Services

Quality Assurance

Core tasks

Must be knowledgeable of all state and federal regulations for the product being produced.
Responsible for the quality control aspects of raw materials and finished products.
Ensure weekly swabs/samples are taken and sent for testing. Acts on any swabs/ samples that come back with non-compliance levels.
Maintain the corporate quality manual and quality records.
Review and report the principle causes of quality loss and nonconformance.
Arrange, coordinate, and participate in external quality audits.
Implement and maintain the quality management systems and ensure continuing compliance to relevant quality standards are implemented and maintained.

The Career Pathways

A vital role in horticulture is a quality assurance manager, they are responsible for maintaining and improving high quality standards for produce.

Upkeeping high product quality and food safety standards are important to build market and consumer trust and safety.

A quality assurance manager will plan, organise, direct, control, and coordinate the deployment of quality systems and certification processes within an organisation.

Certificate IV in Food Processing

Diploma of Competitive Systems and Practices

Diploma of Quality Auditing

Certificate III in Horticulture

Quality Assurance Manager, Koala Farms, Queensland

Angelo Maggione

"Some advice that I would give to a young person that would like to get into the horticulture industry is first of all, go and try working in a farm."

What does your role involve?

In my role I look after the quality and food safety of the product, from seedlings to the packed product. It’s pretty much making sure that food safety competencies are followed, so we can deliver the best and safest products to our customers. I make sure that we deliver products to the customer, which are up to the specification that the customer requires. Each day, I chat with all the different teams to make sure each leader is implementing our procedures that we've put in place for both food safety and quality. My job role also has a lot to do with training, and I often train different sections of the business to make sure we continue to deliver safe and highquality products. At the end of each day, I send our quality checks to the customer to ensure our products are meeting their requirements and specifications.

How did you end up at Koala Farms?

I am originally from Italy and moved to Australia in 2013. Before I moved to Australia, I was already studying agriculture in Italy. However, I didn't complete my studies over there because I couldn't see any job opportunities in that field over in that country – hence why I came to Australia. My first job in Australia was at the Flemington Fruit Market in Sydney. My first job at Koala Farms was working in the nursery under protected cropping infrastructure, where we produced seedlings. I did this for two years before I went back to further my studies, with a Certificate Four and then a Diploma in Horticulture. In total, I’ve been working at Koala Farms for around seven or eight years, and I will probably work here a lot longer – it’s a really fun job!

What advice do you have for people thinking about a career in horticulture?

In terms of working in the horticulture industry, it’s not as hard of a job as it used to be, mainly because we’ve seen an introduction of new technologies, techniques and machinery which helps with, for example, reducing the amount of weight people might carry. As soon as you understand if you like it or not, then go and study. You can study horticulture in a college from Certificate IV to a Diploma, or if you want to step-up into a higher job role, you could study food science or food technology at university.