Lizahn Bezuidenhout

With over 10 years experience in the Fruit Industry I specialize in managing Packhouse Quality for Export Fruit, implementing and overseeing Compliance Systems such as BRCGS Issue 9, GG.A.P, GGAP CoC, and SIZA, as well as leading Food Safety Initiatives. My focus lies in developing and implementing QC systems, staff training, and collaborating with producers to ensure exceptional fruit quality and packing standards. Leveraging extensive experience in Quality Assurance and Control, I am committed to ensuring Compliance, enhancing Operational Efficiency, and fostering Sustainable Agricultural Practices.

As a detail-oriented and methodical professional, I work to align all processes with stringent Industry Standards while supporting teams to achieve Operational Excellence.

Quality Control Manager: Packhouses and Field Quality at Magrabi Agriculture (2024-04 – Present)

Magrabi Agriculture is a leading agricultural company in Egypt, committed to producing and exporting high-quality fresh produce while prioritizing sustainability and food safety.

• Management of all QC Staff - Packhouses, Field, Cold Storage, IQF Quality Manager of all crops: Citrus Eureka, Limoneira, Navel-types, Valencia types, Soft Citrus types), Grapes, Strawberries, Lettuce, Dates, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Tomatoes, and various types of herbs
• Quality liaison for McDonald's (lettuce), Heinz (tomatoes), and all other crop customers.
• Approval and Implementation of customer specifications throughout all crops, in all packhouses, and IQF facilities.
• Management, and feedback, on all claims received.
• Retention fruit Management
• Food safety and Audit Requirements implementation
• Training of sorters, packers, QC staff, Field QC staff regarding fruit defects, SOP's, Customer Specifications, and overall Quality requirements.
• Attending weekly crop walks with the Director of the Board to assess crop GMP's, and ensure the best possible pack out results.
• Attending weekly meetings to discuss quality of incoming raw materials, providing feedback to relevant Crop Managers, and other Department Managers and Board Members.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Manager at Cheetah Fruit (PTY) Ltd. (2023-07 – 2024-12)

On-farm Packhouse

• BRCGS Audit: AA grade received for initial audit
• GlobalG.A.P: Chain of Custody Version 6.1 - Certification received
• GlobalG.A.P: Integrated Farm Assurance V5.4.1 - Certification received
• Pack line audits - verification of packed fruit against set standards for cosmetic defects and progressive disorders.
• Internal testing of fruit.
• Sorter and Packer training - train, coach and test staff on the skills and knowledge required to accomplish effective fruit quality compliance.
• Weekly Packhouse audits regarding Food Safety - Sanitation, Pest Control, Documentation and chemicals.
• Daily testing of washline chemicals.
• Retention fruit management and inspections.
• Management of all packhouse documents
• Food Safety and HACCP team leader, compiling of agenda, and leading of weekly and monthly Management Meetings.
• Laboratory liaison: taking of packhouse swabs, water samples, and relaying of results to top management.
• Assigned sampler for MRL testing
• Data capturing, daily and monthly quality reports.
• Monthly invoices, statements and payslips for QCs.
• Liaising with Producers regarding Fruit Quality and Packing
• DALRRD contact for packhouse - Phytclean
• PPECB contact for packhouse - Orchard verification

Quality Control and Fruit Receiving Management at Mimosa Packhouse (2023-01 – 2023-07)

Citrus Packhouse

• Responsible for Managing and implementation of BRCGS Issue 8
• Management of Paltrack with regards to fruit intakes, stock on hand, setting up of Runs, Empty bin movement etc.
• Phytclean, Ecert (orchard bookings, Ethephon testing etc)
• Managing all fruit intakes
• Drenching of Conventional fruit, Degreening, Fruit Tipping of Conventional and Chem-Free lines.
• Managing of all Fruit Receiving, Laboratory, Drenching, Degreening and Tipping staff.
• Training of packers, sorters and laboratory and fruit testing staff.
• Liaising with PPECB at fruit intake
• All tasks related to Quality in the Packhouse, such as Retention System Implementation, and all initial Quality and Sizing checks

Quality Control Inspector and Sorter Trainer at FQMS (Fruit Quality Monitoring Systems) (2016-03 – 2021-12)

Third Party Quality and Inspection Service

• Pack Line Audits - Verification of packed fruit produce against set standards for cosmetic defects and progressive disorders - dayshift and nightshift.
• Weekly Pack House Sanitation Audits
• Retention - detect and project progressive defect development.
• Sorter training - train, coach and test staff on the skills and knowledge required to accomplish effective fruit quality compliance.
• Data capturing and daily reports
• Monthly invoices, statements and payslips.

Highschool – Die Brandwag Hoërskool (2003-01 – 2007-12)