At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive produce quality standards and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join IPL's innovative Technical Team focused on retail excellence.
- Benefits: Flexible working locations, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Regular travel and strong teamwork are essential for success in this role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality while collaborating with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in agriculture or food science; experience in fresh produce is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 three options as your base – IPL, Normanton / Asda House / Sittingbourne Kent.
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Travel: 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
- Risk assess, maintain and implement a UK residue testing schedule.
- Regularly review label confirmations to ensure 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.
- Act as the Category technical representative for site audits and support any traceability challenges.
- Ensure full closure of non‑conformities and corrective actions are in place.
- Manage any specification amendments, publish to all stakeholders and compile various data reports as requested.
- Manage benchmarking sessions, including competitor shopping as required, and report results to key stakeholders.
- Provide a weekly CPMU business update.
- Provide feedback to suppliers on technical/quality performance.
- Compile weekly crop reports and data, and publish to key stakeholders.
- Monitor and record supplier responses to inbound reds and ensure 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 third‑party suppliers.
- Raise purchase orders and receive invoices as required.
- Manage and communicate government (HSE, APHA etc.) correspondence to key stakeholders.
What We’re Looking For
- Relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science.
- Experience in fresh produce or retail technical roles is an advantage.
- Experience or qualifications in sensory evaluation.
- Logical, evidence‑led thinking and data analysis skills.
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office – Excel, PowerPoint.
Food Technologist - Produce employer: IPL International Procurement and Logistics
At IPL, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation within our Technical Team. With flexible working locations in Normanton, Asda House, or Sittingbourne, we provide our Food Technologist – Produce with opportunities for professional growth, a supportive culture, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on produce quality standards for our customers. Our commitment to employee development and a strong focus on work-life balance makes IPL a rewarding place to advance your career.
Contact Details:
IPL International Procurement and Logistics Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Technologist - Produce
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food tech industry, especially those working in produce. Attend industry events or webinars and don’t be shy to introduce yourself – you never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to quality standards and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions related to food technology!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your relevant projects, data analysis, and any sensory evaluation work you've done. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that Food Technologist role!
We think you need these skills to ace Food Technologist - Produce
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for food technology and produce shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about driving quality standards for our customers.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Food Technologist role. Highlight relevant experience in fresh produce or retail technical roles, and don’t forget to mention any qualifications in agriculture or food science. We love seeing how your background fits with what we do!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your skills and experiences.
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. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at IPL.
How to prepare for a job interview at IPL International Procurement and Logistics
✨Know Your Produce Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh produce and the specific quality standards that are important in the industry. Familiarise yourself with current trends, challenges, and innovations in food technology, especially those related to produce.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with data analysis and any relevant software tools, particularly Microsoft Excel. Prepare examples of how you've used these skills in past roles to drive quality improvements or manage supplier relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Think about potential scenarios you might face in the role, such as handling non-conformities or conducting supplier audits. Practise articulating your thought process and how you would approach these situations, demonstrating your logical and evidence-led thinking.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their team and the company culture. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
