Senior Ripener / Ripening Specialist – Fresh Produce
Near Tonbridge, Kent
£35,000 per annum
Full-time, Permanent
About the Role
A leading fresh produce supplier based near Tonbridge is seeking an experienced Senior Ripener to join their state-of-the-art facility.
Working with high-volume, global produce lines year-round, you will lead daily ripening operations, manage stock flow, and use technical expertise to ensure fruit meets exact retail, wholesale, and foodservice quality specifications. This is a key position where your technical decision-making directly impacts quality, yield, and waste reduction.
Key Responsibilities
- Ripening & Stock Management: Plan, manage, and optimise ripening rooms to meet customer volume, spec, and timing requirements.
- Quality Control: Assess fruit condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar levels, and visual checks. Adjust cycles according to variety, origin, season, and stock age.
- Team Guidance: Act as a senior technical contact on site, guiding and mentoring junior Ripeners, and escalating issues to senior management when necessary.
- Cross-Departmental Communication: Collaborate daily with Production, Technical, Commercial, and Procurement teams regarding stock availability, quality risks, and operational priorities.
- Process & Compliance: Monitor and calibrate equipment, maintain audit-ready BRC, hygiene, and traceability records, and support continuous improvement/yield trials.
Your Skills & Experience
- Industry Experience: Proven practical experience within fresh produce, commercial fruit ripening, or food manufacturing.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of fruit behaviour across different origins, seasons, and varieties.
- Data & Decision-Making: Confident using data to plan stock flow, manage room utilisation, and minimise waste while maximising shelf life.
- Leadership & Standards: Clear communicator capable of mentoring staff and upholding strict food safety, BRC, and H&S standards.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £35,000
- Opportunity to work in a newly invested, modern facility
- Long-term career development within a stable, growing industry sector
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Senior Ripener in Tonbridge employer: drnewitt.vincere.io
As a leading employer in the Facilities Management sector, we prioritise our employees' well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous holiday entitlement, corporate discounts, and private medical options. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and accountability, empowering our General Managers to drive commercial success while ensuring high standards of safety and client satisfaction across diverse projects nationwide. Join us to be part of a team that values leadership, innovation, and sustainable growth in the construction industry.
