At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily ripening operations and ensure top-quality avocados for customers.
- Company: Join a leading UK Fresh Produce business with a focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holidays, and great perks like free eye tests.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fresh produce industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in fresh produce and strong knowledge of fruit behaviour required.
The predicted salary is between 38250 - 46750 £ per year.
Our client are looking for the perfect candidate to support their established and ambitious UK Fresh Produce business, based at a newly invested Ripening Centre of Excellence near Tonbridge.
With grower partners in key locations around the world, we ensure a seamless 52-week supply of the best quality avocados to customers in retail, wholesale and foodservice both in the UK and further afield.
This is an opportunity for you to join the team as a Senior Ripener, you would be responsible for supporting daily ripening operations, using technical knowledge, planning judgement and accurate data to deliver fruit to customer quality, quantity and service requirements.
The role manages stock flow, makes informed decisions, supports Ripeners and maintains safe, compliant and efficient operations.
Key responsibilities
- Team support & communication
- Prioritise daily ripening activity, stock checks, room movements and operational tasks.
- Update Production, Technical, Commercial and Procurement on performance, availability, quality risks and actions.
- Guide Ripeners, act as a senior contact and escalate issues to the Head of Product & Ripening.
- Ripening, quality & stock control
- Plan and manage rooms to meet customer specifications, service requirements and stock targets.
- Assess condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar-level and visual checks; adjust cycles for origin, variety, season, stock age and customer need.
- Balance availability, shelf life, yield and waste while controlling stock rotation, room use and product flow.
- Support QA with in-loading checks, supplier compliance, quality risks and waste reporting.
- Equipment, process & compliance
- Monitor and calibrate equipment; escalate room or plant issues and recommend action.
- Use data and trials to improve yield, room utilisation, consistency and loss reduction.
- Keep audit-ready ripening, quality and traceability records in line with BRC, hygiene, 5S and company procedures.
- Our perfect candidate
You will have practical experience in fresh produce, ripening or food production and strong knowledge of fruit behaviour across origins, varieties, seasons and stock profiles.
You can assess condition accurately, make sound decisions and adapt plans to deliver specification, maximise shelf life and control waste.
Organised and confident with data, you manage rooms and plan stock through the ripening cycle.
You communicate clearly, mentor Ripeners, lead by example, improve performance and uphold food safety, hygiene, traceability and health and safety standards.
- Employment Terms and Benefits
- 6 weeks hols inc BH
- Shift Hours 530am-2pm/6am-2.30pm) flex inc weekends (40hr week)
- Pension scheme (Auto enrolment)
- Optional co. share scheme
- Learning and development opportunities
- Free onsite parking
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced Occupational Parental Pay
- Life Assurance (Salary multiple x 1)
- Season Ticket Loans
- Imagination library
- Free Eye Tests/Glasses
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Medicash Plan Level 1
- JBRP1_UKTJ
Senior Ripener - Fresh Produce in Edinburgh employer: Divalentinecalver Recruitment Ltd
Join a rapidly expanding forwarder at Heathrow, where we prioritise employee growth and development through comprehensive training and cross-training opportunities. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to excel in their role as an Import Freight Account Manager. With competitive benefits and a focus on client interaction, we offer a rewarding environment for those seeking meaningful employment in the freight forwarding industry.
Contact Details:
Divalentinecalver Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
