Senior Ripener - Fresh Produce

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Our client are looking for the perfect candidate to support their established and ambitious UK Fresh Produce business, based at a newly invested Ripening Centre of Excellence near Tonbridge. With grower partners in key locations around the world, we ensure a seamless 52-week supply of the best quality avocados to customers in retail, wholesale and foodservice both in the UK and further afield.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">This is an opportunity for you to join the team as a Senior Ripener, you would be responsible for supporting daily ripening operations, using technical knowledge, planning judgement and accurate data to deliver fruit to customer quality, quantity and service</p>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">requirements. The role manages stock flow, makes informed decisions, supports Ripeners and maintains safe, compliant and efficient operations.</h5>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">Key responsibilities</h5>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Team support & communication</p>

<ul class="list-unstyled job-desc-list mb-3">

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Prioritise daily ripening activity, stock checks, room movements and operational tasks.</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Update Production, Technical, Commercial and Procurement on performance, availability, quality risks and actions.</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Guide Ripeners, act as a senior contact and escalate issues to the Head of Product & Ripening.</span></li>

</ul>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Ripening, quality & stock control</p>

<ul class="list-unstyled job-desc-list mb-3">

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Plan and manage rooms to meet customer specifications, service</span></li>

</ul>

<h5 class="fw-bold text-success mt-4 mb-3">requirements and stock targets.</h5>

<ul class="list-unstyled job-desc-list mb-3">

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Assess condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar-level and visual checks; adjust cycles for origin, variety, season, stock age and customer need.</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Balance availability, shelf life, yield and waste while controlling stock rotation, room use and product flow.</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Support QA with in-loading checks, supplier compliance, quality risks and waste reporting.</span></li>

</ul>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Equipment, process & compliance</p>

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<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Monitor and calibrate equipment; escalate room or plant issues and recommend action.</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Use data and trials to improve yield, room utilisation, consistency and loss reduction.</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Keep audit-ready ripening, quality and traceability records in line with BRC, hygiene, 5S and company procedures.</span></li>

</ul>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Our perfect candidate</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">You will have practical experience in fresh produce, ripening or food production and strong knowledge of fruit behaviour across origins, varieties, seasons and stock profiles. You can assess condition accurately, make sound decisions and adapt plans to deliver specification, maximise shelf life and control waste.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Organised and confident with data, you manage rooms and plan stock through the ripening cycle. You communicate clearly, mentor Ripeners, lead by example, improve performance and uphold food safety, hygiene, traceability and health and safety standards.</p>

<p class="text-muted mb-3">Employment Terms and Benefits</p>

<ul class="list-unstyled job-desc-list mb-3">

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>£35k DOE</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>6 weeks hols inc BH</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Shift Hours 530am-2pm/6am-2.30pm) flex inc weekends (40hr week)</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Pension scheme (Auto enrolment)</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Optional co. share scheme</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Learning and development opportunities</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Free onsite parking</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Employee Assistance Programme</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Enhanced Occupational Parental Pay</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Life Assurance (Salary multiple x 1)</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Season Ticket Loans</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Imagination library</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Free Eye Tests/Glasses</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Cycle to Work scheme</span></li>

<li class="d-flex align-items-start mb-2"><i class="mdi mdi-circle-medium text-success fs-15 me-2 mt-1"></i><span>Medicash Plan Level 1</span></li>

</ul>