JUST AVOCADOS LIMITED - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Managing Director - Darling Group
My passion for horticulture started in 1983 while working in a kiwifruit orchard and pack house. In 1989, I purchased an interest in a fruit packing facility in Katikati. Over the next 20 years, through partnership, merger and acquisition, I grew this operation to represent approx. 10% of Zespri's national crop and 20% of the national avocado crop. I also became a significant grower of both these crops during this time. In 2016 I formed Darling Group which comprises an avocado export business (Just Avocados Ltd), a produce wholesale and logistics company in Brisbane (JH Leavy & Co.), various orchards, as well as an interest in a domestic produce marketer (Zeafruit).
Job Titles:
- JAL Operations Team Leader
Azariah has been in the horticulture industry for over a decade now, working a variety of jobs during this time starting from the ground up. Four of those he has been with Just Avocados supporting the operations manager and working with the wider Just Avocados team. He ensures that the supply chain is managed and meets the required industry and compliance standards, while also communicating the daily production goals and relevant information to the packhouse team.
Job Titles:
- Group Logistics Manager - Darling Group Marketing
Job Titles:
- JAL Distribution and Cool Store Team Leader
Ean has been with us for 5 years, he handles the ripening, handling and distribution of local market fruit, while also maintaining and monitoring export standards of our avocados. He also leads the team to maintain the cool store inventory, stages and rotating stock.
Job Titles:
- Packhouse & Coolstore Team Member
Grace maintains the local market inventory, keeping track of incoming and outgoing stock as well as the ripening and handling of the avocados. She is a certified forklift operator and is a health and safety representative.
Job Titles:
- GM Group Sales and Marketing - Darling Group
Karin is responsible for our AvoGreen pest monitoring and assisting growers to maintain their Avogreen compliance. She also supports the Quality team in the Packhouse with phytosanitary and grade inspections of export fruit. Karin comes with a science background in Entomology (research and development, field surveys and Area-wide Integrated Pest Management) and has experience in the Horticulture industry (Plant Production).
Just Avocados has supported New Zealand's top female kayaker, Luuka Jones, since 2015.
The Rio Olympics Silver Medalist has enjoyed working with Just Avocados, who have provided her with a stylish vehicle to get her to training, cash to help with her expenses, and a supply of avocados to compliment her healthy diet.
"She epitomises health and vitality and believes in good nutrition, she's also a committed fan of avocados," says Darling Group Managing Director, Andrew Darling.
Job Titles:
- Group Communications and Marketing Manager - Darling Group Marketing
Job Titles:
- Production Manager
- JAL Operations Manager
Steve is responsible for the operational running of the packhouse, coolstore, ripening and distribution operations while providing strong leadership and support for the Just Avocados team. Steve has a strong focus on maintaining a high level of consistent output of fruit. Steve has considerable experience in operations management in pack houses in the Bay of Plenty and has also managed the daily operations of a large fully certified organic blackcurrant orchard in the South Island.
Job Titles:
- Quality and Compliance Manager
Sue leads on-farm GlobalGAP inspections, ensuring our members meet global standards. Sue updates critical manuals, including the grower manual for GlobalGAP and the JAL Quality Manual System. She imparts knowledge through staff training on MPI Export, Food Safety, NZA Grade standards, and pest identification.