Food Technologist - Produce

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Food Technologist - Produce to join our Technical Team at IPL as part of the retail technical function. If you are passionate, and eager to contribute to driving produce quality standards for our customers - we would love to hear from you.

Position Details

• Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:30am - 5:00pm
• Location: Flexible to 3 options as your base – IPL, Normanton / Asda House / Sittingbourne Kent
• Contract Type: Permanent

Given the need for regular travel across the supply base and stores, applicants must hold a full driving licence, passport, and have access to their own vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Risk assess, maintain and implement a UK residue testing schedule.
• Regularly review label confirmations, ensuring that all Retail requirements are met.
• Ensure that all company due diligence requirements are in place.
• Maintain supplier approvals and implement regular due diligence for suppliers, sites and specifications using internal and external platforms.
• Act as the Category technical representative for site audits and support traceability challenges conducted by them; ensure full closure of non‑conformities and corrective actions are in place.
• Manage any specification amendments, publishing to all stakeholders; compile various data reports as and when requested.
• Manage benchmarking sessions including competitor shopping as required and report results back to key stakeholders.
• Provide a weekly CPMU business update.
• Provide feedback to suppliers on technical/quality performance.
• Publish weekly crop reports and collate data for key stakeholders.
• Monitor and record any supplier responses to inbound reds and ensure all rejections are recorded in line with company policies.
• Provide updated and relevant category information for supplier reviews.
• Maintain strong working relationships with internal colleagues, Asda and third‑party suppliers.
• Raise purchase orders and receive invoices as required.
• Manage and communicate government (HSE, APHA, etc.) correspondence to key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science.
• Relevant experience in fresh produce or experience in retail technical roles would be an advantage.
• Experience / qualifications in sensory evaluation.
• Logical, evidence‑led thinking and data analysis.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office – Excel, PowerPoint & Word.
• Ability to problem‑solve with full confidence in decision making.
• Strong analysis, judgment and concise report writing skills.
• Ability to speak Spanish would be an advantage.

Benefits

• 15% Asda In‑store Discount.
• Paid Annual Leave Allowance – varies depending on shift pattern.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Life Assurance – all colleagues benefit from life assurance of four‑times their annual base salary.
• Help@hand – free, direct access to health and wellbeing support service, including unlimited video consultations with a UK‑based GP 24/7, physiotherapy and mental health support.
• Grocery Aid – partnered with Grocery Aid to provide colleagues and their families with a wide range of emotional, practical and financial support services.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme.
• Asda Mobile Discount – 30% off a wide range of Asda Mobile bundles and add‑ons for our colleagues and one of their family members.
• Discounted health assessments – exclusive negotiated rates on self‑pay BUPA health assessments for you and members of your household.
• Mortgage Advice Bureau – fee‑free, no‑obligation mortgage and protection advice.
• Exclusive exchange rates via Asda Money – better exchange rates for travel money when buying currency through Asda Travel Money (TravelEx).
• Ride‑to‑work scheme – savings across bikes, clothing and equipment.
• Care Concierge – Legal & General's Care Concierge resource.
• Professional development opportunities and a competitive salary.
• Private healthcare, car allowances and long‑term incentive schemes (depending on job band).

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers, locations and the communities we serve. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, gender or sexual identity and socio‑economic background. We are committed to making IPL, Forza and Kober a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues.