At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product quality and compliance while collaborating with growers and suppliers.
- Company: Join a leading fresh produce company focused on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on training, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel to various sites for hands-on experience.
- Why this job: Gain real product ownership and make an impact in the fresh produce industry.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in Technical, Quality, or Product roles; strong problem-solving skills.
We're delighted to be working with our client on an exciting opportunity for a Junior Product Manager to join their Technical team. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Quality or Technical professional looking to take the next step in their career and develop specialist knowledge within the fresh produce.
Working closely with retail, growers, suppliers, packing sites, procurement and agronomy, you'll play an important role in ensuring products are consistently high-quality, compliant, customer-ready and aligned with technical and commercial expectations.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Own product and technical information across key customer and source systems, ensuring specifications, labelling, packaging verification and TPIS requirements are accurate, compliant and kept up to date.
- Monitor product quality and performance, analysing QSL data, weekly KPIs, shelf-life results and technical reports to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Support product quality and benchmarking, including sample assessments, taste panels, product evaluations and customer visits to ensure product meets agreed specifications and customer expectations.
- Investigate quality issues and customer refunds, completing root cause analysis, managing non-conformances and implementing practical corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Work closely with growers and packing sites, conducting audits and supporting supplier assurance activity to maintain technical, quality, food safety and legal standards throughout the supply chain.
- Support customer relationships and technical compliance, working alongside the customer and internal stakeholders to resolve issues, provide technical updates and ensure requirements are consistently delivered.
- Contribute to continuous improvement, using quality data, audit findings and product performance insights to drive improvements across sourcing, packing and product quality.
- Travel to growers and packing sites when required, gaining valuable hands-on exposure to the product supply chain while building strong relationships across the category.
What We're Looking For:
- 2+ years' experience in a Technical, Quality, Product or Compliance role, ideally within fresh produce, food manufacturing or a related FMCG environment.
- Working knowledge of legal labelling, weights & measures, technical compliance and auditing, with an internal auditing qualification/experience highly desirable.
- Strong experience in root cause analysis, corrective action and problem-solving, with the confidence to investigate issues and recommend practical solutions.
- Excellent MS Office, communication, organisational and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to work with customers, growers, suppliers and internal stakeholders and support customer or source-level visits.
Why This Opportunity?
This is an excellent opportunity to move beyond traditional QA or Technical responsibilities and gain genuine product ownership within a major fresh produce category. With full training provided on, you'll develop your category expertise while gaining exposure to major retail customers, growers, packing operations and the wider fresh produce supply chain.
If you're ready to take the next step and build a career at the intersection of Technical, Quality, Product and Fresh Produce, this could be the perfect opportunity.
Junior Product Manager employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment
Join a dynamic and health-focused manufacturing company in Lincolnshire as a Procurement Manager, where you will lead a dedicated team and play a pivotal role in enhancing supplier performance. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a hybrid working model, this organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and strategic thinking. Enjoy competitive remuneration and the opportunity to make a tangible impact in a thriving business that prioritises both its people and its products.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Product Manager
✨Connect with Local Farmers and Co-ops
Don't underestimate the power of local connections in agriculture. Get involved in local farmers' markets or agricultural co-ops. These are great places to meet potential employers and get the inside scoop on job openings before they're even advertised.
✨Get Involved in Agricultural Events
Keep an eye out for agricultural fairs, conferences, and workshops in your area. These events are golden opportunities to network with industry professionals and showcase your passion. You might even stumble across job boards or companies actively looking to hire!
✨Volunteer for Relevant Experience
Consider volunteering with organisations focused on agriculture, sustainability, or community gardening. This not only boosts your CV but also expands your network. You never know who might be watching your hard work and dedication!
✨Keep an Eye on Job Listings at Industry-Specific Websites
Be sure to check out agriculture-focused job boards and websites regularly. Companies like Henderson Brown Recruitment often post opportunities on their own sites before anywhere else, so don’t miss out! Apply directly through us to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in agriculture, it's crucial to highlight any hands-on experience you have in farming, crop management, or sustainable practices. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're after, so be specific about the responsibilities you've had and any tools or techniques you've used.
Certifications Matter:In agriculture, relevant certifications can really give your application a boost. If you have any qualifications related to agricultural practices, pest management, or environmental regulations, make sure to mention them! They're great indicators of your commitment and expertise in the field.
Tailor Your CV to the Agriculture Sector:Your CV should reflect your passion for agriculture. Structure it to emphasise your field experience and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Don't forget to highlight your soft skills, like teamwork and communication, which are essential in this sector.
Passion is Key in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time position, we want to feel your enthusiasm for agriculture in your cover letter. Share why you're drawn to this industry and mention any long-term goals you have that align with what Henderson Brown Recruitment does. This can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Brown Recruitment
✨Get Familiar with Agricultural Technologies
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest agricultural technologies and tools that are commonly used in the field. Whether it’s precision farming tools or crop management software, being able to discuss these effectively during your interview with Henderson Brown Recruitment will show that you're technically savvy and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Showcase Your Practical Experience
Since agriculture is a hands-on industry, be prepared to share any practical experiences you've had. This could be through internships, volunteer work, or even personal projects. Discussing specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them can really impress the interviewers, especially in a full-time role at Henderson Brown Recruitment.
✨Understand the Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is a hot topic in agriculture right now, so it's important to understand current practices and regulations in the industry. Familiarise yourself with concepts like crop rotation, organic farming, and environmental impact. Having informed opinions on these topics can set you apart from other candidates during your interview.
✨Practice Common Industry Scenarios
Expect to tackle a few scenario-based questions that mimic real-life challenges in agriculture. For instance, you might be asked how you would handle a pest infestation or manage resources during a drought. Practising these scenarios will help you respond confidently and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview with Henderson Brown Recruitment.
