Overview:
At Costa, we're focused on helping feed a growing population through innovation, sustainability and world-class fresh produce. As Australia's leading grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables, we work with customers across Australia and around the world to deliver fresh, healthy food every day.
Costa's Citrus business is committed to delivering premium fruit that meets the highest standards for quality, food safety and customer satisfaction. From orchard to packing shed, quality plays a critical role in ensuring our products consistently meet customer expectations.
We are seeking a motivated graduate to join our Citrus team in Murtho, South Australia.
This is a permanent full-time graduate opportunity where you'll combine structured development with practical experience across quality assurance, food safety, post-harvest operations and continuous improvement activities.
Working alongside experienced quality and operational leaders, you'll gain exposure to the systems, processes and decisions that help ensure Costa's citrus products are packed, protected and delivered to customers at their very best.
This is an exciting opportunity to launch your career in an environment where quality, food safety and operational excellence are essential to success while developing the skills, experience and credibility needed to build a long-term career within Costa.
About this position:
As a Graduate - Quality & Operations, you'll build experience across quality assurance, food safety and operational activities while developing a practical understanding of how premium citrus products move from packing shed to customer.
One day you may be conducting quality inspections and monitoring food safety standards, while another may involve supporting operational teams, analysing performance data or contributing to continuous improvement initiatives. This variety provides valuable exposure to multiple aspects of Costa's citrus operations while building practical technical and operational capability.
You will gain exposure to:
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Food safety and quality assurance systems
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Post-harvest processes and packing shed operations
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Product quality monitoring and compliance activities
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Data analysis, reporting and performance monitoring
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Continuous improvement initiatives
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Production workflows and operational planning
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Cross-functional collaboration across Quality, Operations and Citrus teams
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Practical decision-making within a large-scale horticultural business
Why Join Us?
We care for our people. People are the heart of Costa. Our employees enjoy some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry. From competitive pay to health, well-being and further learning and development opportunities. No matter the role, you'll always benefit from a caring environment that encourages and supports you to thrive, grow and connect.
As a graduate with Costa, you'll automatically be enrolled in our Graduate Development Program, designed to develop future leaders and innovators across our business. You'll gain exposure to senior leaders, technical experts and fellow graduates while building practical skills in a real-world operational environment.
You'll also benefit from:
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Structured graduate development and leadership training
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Exposure to quality assurance, food safety and operational excellence
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Mentoring from experienced quality and operational leaders
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Hands-on experience within one of Australia's leading citrus operations
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Meaningful involvement in continuous improvement initiatives
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Practical exposure to the fresh produce supply chain
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Meaningful work that contributes to delivering safe, high-quality food
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A pathway to build a long-term career within Costa.
About you:
We're looking for graduates who are curious, detail-oriented and motivated to learn how quality, food safety and operational excellence support successful food production. You may have recently completed (or be in your final year of) a degree in:
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Food Science
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Food Technology
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Agricultural Science
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Horticulture
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Applied Science
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Microbiology
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Quality Assurance
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Or a related discipline
You will also:
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Demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills
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Have excellent attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining standards
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Show initiative and a continuous improvement mindset
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Be comfortable working in a fast-paced operational environment
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Be eager to learn and develop within a quality and operations setting
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Work collaboratively across teams and functions
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Be interested in food safety, quality assurance and operational performance
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Have full Australian working rights
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Hold a current unrestricted Australian driver's licence
- Be willing and able to perform the inherent requirements of the role, including participation in operational activities within packing shed environments.
We are seeking people who can demonstrate Costa's core values: Determination, Accountability, Passion, Respect and Sincerity.
Click here to watch one of our previous graduates talk about their journey.
Program Timing and Process:
Accessibility and Inclusion: At Costa, we value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment experience. If you require any adjustments or support throughout the application, assessment or interview process, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, experience and potential.
Applications for the 2027 Graduate Intake close on September 16, 2026, with an anticipated start date of February 8, 2027. The selection process will consist of application questions, video submissions, psychometric assessments and interviews (virtual or in person).
