At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive produce quality standards and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join IPL, a vibrant company dedicated to teamwork and professional growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 15% Asda discount, and comprehensive health support.
- Other info: Flexible working locations and opportunities for personal development await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in agriculture or food science; experience in fresh produce is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
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 supply base and stores, applicants must hold a full driving licence, passport, and have access to their own vehicle.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- To 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.
- Be the Category technical representative for site audits and support any 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
- Feedback to suppliers on technical / quality performance
- Collate and publish weekly crop reports and data to key stakeholders
- Monitor and record any supplier responses to inbound reds and ensure that 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 3rd party suppliers
- Raise purchase orders and receive in invoices as required
- Manage and communicate government (HSE, APHA etc.) correspondence to key stakeholders.
What are we looking for?
- This role would suit a candidate with relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science
- Relevant experience in fresh produce ideal or experience in retail technical roles would be an advantage.
- Relevant experience / qualifications in sensory evaluation
- Logical, evidence led thinking and data analysis
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft office – Excel, Power Point & Word
- Ability to problem solve with full confidence in decision making
- Your analysis, judgement and concise report writing will be an asset to the role
- Ability to speak Spanish would be an advantage
What's in it for you?
At IPL, Forza, and Kober, we're dynamic businesses, dedicated to fostering the development of our colleagues and creating an exceptional work environment. We believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration to drive our success. To continue our growth, we're seeking individuals who embody our values, culture, and commitment. In return, we offer opportunities for professional development, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 15% Asda In-store Discount
- Paid Annual Leave Allowance – varies depending on shift pattern
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Life Assurance - All our colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 x 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 - We’ve partnered with Grocery Aid to provide our 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 - We have exclusively negotiated rates on Self-Pay BUPA Health Assessments for you and members of your household
- Asda Pet Insurance discount – Up to 10%
- Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) - MAB can provide fee-free*, no-obligation mortgage and protection advice
- Exclusive Exchange Rates via Asda Money - our colleagues can get a better exchange rate for their travel money when buying currency through Asda Travel Money (TravelEx)
- Ride-to-work scheme - We work with Evans to provide our colleagues with great savings across their range of bikes, clothing, and equipment
- Care Concierge - The Care Experts. Talk to us - we're listening - Legal & General’s Care Concierge resource
- Plus, lots more!
Depending on job band, other fantastic benefits are also available including private healthcare, car allowances, and long-term incentive schemes.
About Us
Our purpose here at IPL, Forza & Kober is simple, we are one team who creates exceptional value for our customers and our mission is to support Asda on their journey to becoming #2 in the marketplace. Through our people we live and breathe our values and we play to our strengths, but we also support each other’s development. We are a community of passionate individuals who possess a wide variety of skills and expertise, who work collectively to form a high performing team and a company to be proud of. 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. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values, culture and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Our culture is our people and our people are our culture!
Food Technologist - Produce employer: International Procurement and Logistics Limited
At IPL Sittingbourne, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and professional growth. Our comprehensive benefits package includes a competitive salary, enhanced pension scheme, and access to health and wellbeing support, ensuring our employees feel valued and supported in their roles. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions to quality assurance in fresh produce will make a meaningful impact.
Contact Details:
International Procurement and Logistics Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Technologist - Produce
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We think you need these skills to ace Food Technologist - Produce
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at International Procurement and Logistics Limited, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to International Procurement and Logistics Limited. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at International Procurement and Logistics Limited. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at International Procurement and Logistics Limited
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
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Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
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Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
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Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to International Procurement and Logistics Limited’s mission.
