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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product quality and safety for fresh produce, ensuring top-notch standards.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at IPL Normanton, committed to excellence and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 33 days leave, and a range of health and wellbeing perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and quality while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in technical roles, strong communication skills, and a passion for quality.
- Other info: Flexible travel opportunities and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About The Role
Join Our Dynamic Technical Team at IPL Normanton! We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Category Technical Manager to become a vital part of our Technical Team at our Produce Packing Facility in Normanton. If you are passionate about and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, this role is perfect for you!
Position Details
- Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm
- Location: IPL Normanton - with flexibility to travel across our UK and overseas supplier base as and when required
- Contract Type: Permanent
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Management of ASDA/IPL specifications and communication to the business/supply base ensuring goods to specification are procured and supplied.
- Onboarding and maintaining due diligence controls of our suppliers, and auditing requirements.
- Interaction with QA teams in ASDA and IPL packing sites to ensure specifications are met.
- Use of customer feedback, data management and trend analysis to enable implementation of corrective actions relating to IPL agreed technical KPI's.
- Influencing buying decisions in relation to supplier selection and supply calendar, to ensure the best quality products at the right price are always available for our customers.
- Delivering the new product and varietal plan alongside the procurement teams.
- Supporting the GNFR team to deliver practical solutions within our supplier base for the reduction and/or removal packaging that will impact or EPR charges.
- Keeping up to date with industry issues and factors that could potentially affect product safety, quality, legality, integrity or availability, and putting actions in place to mitigate the impact on IPL/ASDA products.
- Supporting our Responsible Sourcing objectives and commitments, being the eyes and ears within our supplier base, helping our suppliers to deliver initiatives that support our commitments, and where applicable engaging with NGO's and Govt. organisations.
- Managing our technologist / technical administrator colleagues, developing their skills and experience to ensure we have robust succession plans.
- Visit ASDA suppliers and stores regularly to monitor quality, see how our products are performing, engaging with our store colleagues and suppliers to drive quality perception improvements within span of control.
What are we looking for?
- The guardian of product safety, quality and legality for salad products in Asda.
- Experience in a technical role within a retail food business, ideally with fresh produce experience although not essential.
- Experience and confidence in auditing third party vendors as well as conducting internal audits.
- Ability to translate technical issues into easily understood language.
- Agile and able to manage priorities and workload for self and direct reports.
- Able to remain laser focussed on product quality with an understanding of commercial.
- Logical and evidence led approach with good influencing skills.
- HACCP Level 3 and internal auditing/BRC training and Lead Assessor experience is desirable but not essential.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to travel to sites within the UK and overseas.
- Knowledge of the full project life cycle.
- A full driving licence with access to your own vehicle is essential for this due to the amount of travel involved.
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
- Annual Bonus Scheme
- 33 days Annual Leave – Inclusive of 8 days bank holiday
- 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% Discount
- 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.
Like what you’ve read? Then do your research, update your CV, and once you’re ready, hit the apply button. Don’t delay, apply today!
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!
Category Technical Manager - Produce employer: IPL International Procurement and Logistics
Contact Detail:
IPL International Procurement and Logistics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Technical Manager - Produce
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research IPL Normanton, their values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their dynamic team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to technical roles in the food industry. Think about how your experience aligns with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description, especially around quality and supplier management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Technical Manager - Produce
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Technical Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in technical roles, especially in fresh produce if you have it. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Passion: In your cover letter, let us know why you're excited about this opportunity! Share your passion for product safety and quality, and how you can contribute to our dynamic team at IPL Normanton.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experiences and achievements. We appreciate a logical approach that makes it easy for us to see your potential!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at IPL International Procurement and Logistics
✨Know Your Specs
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with ASDA/IPL specifications and how they relate to product safety and quality. Brush up on any relevant technical standards and be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance in your role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your previous experience in a technical role within the retail food business, especially if you have fresh produce experience. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've managed supplier relationships or conducted audits, as this will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since the role requires translating technical issues into easily understood language, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will show that you can effectively communicate with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Express your enthusiasm for the role and the company’s mission. Share why you’re passionate about product safety and quality, and how you can contribute to the team’s success. A genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.