Senior Technical Manager (Produce) in Normanton

Senior Technical Manager (Produce) in Normanton

Normanton Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
IPL International Procurement and Logistics

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead teams to ensure high-quality Asda Brand produce across the UK and Spain.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at IPL & Asda, focused on quality and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 33 days leave, and a range of employee discounts.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in food safety and quality while fostering team excellence.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in produce leadership with strong knowledge of food safety and compliance.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse community committed to professional growth and inclusivity.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

About The Role

Join Asda and IPL’s technical leadership team, where quality, innovation, and customer trust are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll lead the retail and in-country agronomy teams across the UK and Spain to deliver safe, legal, and high-quality Asda Brand produce.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Location: Asda House (Flexibility to travel across IPL sites required)

Contract Type: Permanent

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Lead Technical Strategy: Ensure food safety, legality, and quality working closely and collaboratively with the teams at both IPL and third-party sites, aligned with UK and EU legislation.
  • Champion Quality & Innovation: Support NPD for Prepared Produce, and lead varietal development with all key suppliers. You will support packaging innovation to elevate Asda’s quality credentials.
  • Embed Consistency: Drive certification, shared standards, and continuous improvement across suppliers and sites.
  • Influence & Collaborate: Represent Asda with DEFRA, DAERA, and other enforcement bodies, shaping policy and promoting best practice.
  • Drive Supplier Excellence: Build strong supplier relationships where technical input is integral to procurement and agronomy decisions.
  • Apply Commercial Acumen: Make informed decisions through a commercial lens, balancing quality, cost, and customer expectations to support business growth.
  • Stakeholder Management: Build strong internal and external relationships, influence senior stakeholders, and support the delivery of strategic objectives.
  • Lead with Purpose: Foster a culture where technical teams thrive, coach for excellence, and balance quality and cost to deliver for customers and our business.

What are we looking for?

Essential:

  • Minimum 10 years’ experience in a produce leadership role.
  • A solid understanding of produce quality, innovation and food safety and being able to demonstrate improvement.
  • A degree in a food-related discipline (e.g. Food Science, Food Technology, Agriculture) - Desirable.
  • Proven experience working with produce assurance schemes such as Red Tractor, Leaf, etc.
  • Experience of working with Fresh produce consortium and the Chilled food association through partner suppliers.
  • Strong knowledge of food safety systems, compliance, and retailer specifications.
  • Understanding of food resilience / horizon scanning risks in your area of expertise – with experience of delivering solutions that meet customer and stakeholder expectations.
  • Ideally, experience working within a vertically integrated supply model.
  • Demonstrated experience of working directly with suppliers, influencing quality, compliance, and innovation.
  • Strong commercial awareness and the ability to align technical decisions with business strategy.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and a passion for driving quality through data and insight.

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 colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 × 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.

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. 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!

Senior Technical Manager (Produce) in Normanton employer: IPL International Procurement and Logistics

At IPL and Asda, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions quality, innovation, and teamwork. Our dynamic work culture fosters professional growth through collaboration and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and access to health and wellbeing support. Located at Asda House, our commitment to inclusivity and employee development makes us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the produce sector.
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 Senior Technical Manager (Produce) in Normanton

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand what Asda and IPL stand for, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in food safety, quality, and innovation, as these are key for the Senior Technical Manager role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at IPL and Asda!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Manager (Produce) in Normanton

Technical Strategy Development
Food Safety Knowledge
Produce Quality Assurance
Innovation in Food Products
Supplier Relationship Management
Commercial Acumen
Stakeholder Management
Project Leadership
Regulatory Compliance
Data-Driven Decision Making
Continuous Improvement
Team Coaching and Development
Understanding of Produce Assurance Schemes
Risk Assessment in Food Resilience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience in produce leadership, food safety, and innovation. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Asda and IPL!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about quality and innovation in produce. Share specific examples of how you've influenced supplier excellence or driven technical strategy in your previous roles.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can influence and collaborate effectively, so share any relevant experiences that demonstrate this skill.

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 keen on joining our dynamic team at Asda and 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 produce quality, food safety, and innovation. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in agronomy and be ready to discuss how you can apply this knowledge to enhance Asda's offerings.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that demonstrate your experience in leading teams and driving technical strategies. Highlight specific instances where you've influenced supplier relationships or improved quality standards, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Understand the Business Landscape

Research Asda’s current market position and their strategic goals. Be prepared to discuss how your commercial acumen can align with their objectives, especially in terms of balancing quality and cost while meeting customer expectations.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you’ve successfully managed stakeholder relationships in the past. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your ability to influence and collaborate with both internal teams and external partners, as this is crucial for the role.

Senior Technical Manager (Produce) in Normanton
IPL International Procurement and Logistics
Location: Normanton

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