At a Glance
- Tasks: Support product quality and customer requirements in the fresh produce industry.
- Company: Join AM FRESH, a leading supplier for Tesco, in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience with career progression opportunities in product management.
- Other info: Work in a modern facility with ongoing training and development support.
- Why this job: Be a key player in ensuring top-quality fresh produce reaches customers.
- Qualifications: Passion for fresh produce and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38250 - 46750 £ per year.
About The Role
At AM FRESH, we're looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Junior Product Manager to join our Technical team, supporting the Melons and Pines category on a 12-month maternity cover.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to further develop their technical, quality and customer-facing experience within the fresh produce industry.
Acting as a key link between Tesco, suppliers, source operations and internal teams, you'll play an important role in ensuring product quality, food safety and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
Working closely with Product Managers, the Head of Technical, Category teams and operational colleagues, you'll support and drive continuous improvement initiatives while helping to deliver best-in-class product performance across the category.
Key responsibilities will include
- Acting as the primary technical and quality contact for Tesco across the Melons and Pines category.
- Building strong customer relationships and ensuring Tesco requirements are effectively communicated and delivered across the business.
- Hosting Tesco visits and supporting customer meetings.
- Preparing, presenting and driving technical and quality performance reviews, KPI reporting and improvement plans.
- Deputising for Product Managers in customer meetings and communications where required.
- Monitoring product quality performance, including GHS, KQI and other customer metrics, to identify trends and drive continuous improvement.
- Supporting investigations into customer complaints, refunds, quality concerns and root cause analysis.
- Working closely with suppliers, sourcing teams and operational colleagues to resolve product performance issues.
- Managing key customer systems including TQC, Inspectorio, Toolkit and specification platforms.
- Maintaining finished product and raw material specifications to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Producing weekly, monthly, seasonal and quarterly technical and quality reports for both internal and customer stakeholders.
- Supporting new product launches and reintroduced products through technical and quality set-up activities.
- Participating in benchmarking exercises, competitor reviews and product evaluations.
- Supporting decisions around product residency, stock management, FIFO and FEFO processes.
- Undertaking supplier and source visits to identify opportunities for product quality improvements.
- Supporting EPW investigations and product withdrawal activities in line with company compliance procedures.
This role offers excellent exposure to customer-facing technical management within one of the UK's leading fresh produce supply businesses and provides a strong development pathway into Product Management and Technical leadership roles.
About You
We're looking for an enthusiastic and commercially aware individual with a passion for fresh produce, quality and continuous improvement.
To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have
- Experience within fresh produce, food manufacturing, packhouse operations or a technical environment.
- Melon and Pines knowledge, or broader fresh produce category experience.
- Experience working with major UK retailers, ideally Tesco or another leading supermarket customer.
- A demonstrable track record of supporting quality, technical or food safety improvements.
- Understanding of food safety, quality management and customer compliance requirements.
- Experience within factory, production or packhouse operations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends and implement solutions.
- Excellent organisational and planning capabilities.
- Strong communication skills and confidence presenting information to customers and stakeholders.
- The ability to prioritise multiple tasks and deliver results within tight deadlines.
- High attention to detail and accuracy.
- A proactive approach with the confidence to work independently and use your own initiative.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to suppliers, sites and source locations when required.
About Us
Based in a modern, purpose-built facility in Peterborough, we sort, process, pack and deliver fresh, high-quality produce exclusively for Tesco, helping feed millions of people across the UK every day.
Our product portfolio includes citrus fruits, grapes, melons, pineapples, apples, pears and selected vegetables, products many of us see on our own tables.
If you have shopped for these at Tesco, chances are they have passed through our site.
We have been proud to be a trusted Tesco partner since 2014.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do.
With over 800 colleagues from more than 50 countries, our Peterborough site is one of the area’s most diverse employers.
As a growing business, we are committed to supporting our teams through ongoing training, development and progression opportunities for all.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
We value diversity and believe that a wide range of perspectives strengthens our culture, drives innovation, and helps us better serve our customers.
We are dedicated to making our recruitment process accessible for everyone.
If you require any adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know, we’re happy to discuss how we can help.
Junior Product Manager - 12 month FTC in Peterborough employer: AMFRESH Group
AMFRESH Group is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work environment where employees can thrive in their careers while gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the fresh produce industry. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, the company supports its staff through comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside covering all travel and accommodation expenses for international assignments. The collaborative culture fosters teamwork and innovation, making it an ideal place for those passionate about quality control and supplier management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Product Manager - 12 month FTC in Peterborough
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out food technology fairs and local agricultural shows. These gatherings are goldmines for meeting employers like AMFRESH Group face-to-face. Bring your enthusiasm, and don’t be shy to ask questions about their work!
✨Join Industry-Specific Groups
Dive into social media groups and forums focused on food science and technology. Networking with professionals already in the game can help us get the inside scoop on temporary roles, including those at AMFRESH Group.
✨Consider Seasonal Opportunities
Since this is a temporary role, keep an eye on seasonal hiring times when food companies ramp up for production cycles. Check out companies like AMFRESH Group during these periods, as they often look for extra support.
✨Got Skills? Show Them Off!
If you’ve got a knack for lab work or product testing, create a mini portfolio of your projects and experiences. It's a great way to stand out when chatting with hiring managers at AMFRESH Group. Plus, it’s perfect for showcasing your practical skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Manager - 12 month FTC in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Know-How:In the food science and technology field, it’s all about the nitty-gritty details. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant coursework, labs, or projects that showcase your technical skills in food processing, safety, or product development. Don't forget to mention any specific techniques or technologies you're comfortable with – they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Project:Since this is a temporary role, make your cover letter shine by focusing on your motivation and how you can contribute to AMFRESH Group immediately. Highlight your adaptability and any relevant experiences that make you a perfect fit for this specific project – employers love to see that enthusiasm and readiness to dive straight in!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any food safety or quality control certifications, make sure they’re front and centre in your application. These badges of honour can give us – and AMFRESH Group – confidence in your skills and commitment to maintaining high standards in the lab or in production.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills:Food science is often a team sport, so weave in examples of how you've effectively collaborated with others during your studies or previous jobs. Whether it was group projects or internships, showcasing your ability to work well with others and communicate effectively can really strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at AMFRESH Group
✨Brush Up on Food Safety Standards
In the food science and technology field, it's crucial to understand food safety regulations and standards, such as HACCP. Make sure you're ready to discuss how you've implemented these in previous projects, even if they were part of your studies. They might ask you specific questions about handling food safely, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some hands-on assessments or scenario-based questions during your interview with AMFRESH Group. They might put you in a situation where you have to propose a food product or troubleshoot a food safety issue on the spot, so practice thinking on your feet and explaining your process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge of Current Trends
Temporary roles often require you to be up-to-date with the latest trends in food technology, like sustainability or novel processing methods. Be ready to share insights on how you can contribute to AMFRESH Group's projects or products based on your knowledge of emerging trends in the sector.
✨Highlight the Learning Experience
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Share examples of how you've swiftly picked up new skills or technologies in past experiences, whether in your studies or internships. Companies want to see that you can hit the ground running and make an impact, even in a short time!
