Convenience Technologist

Westfalia Fruit; Greater Lincolnshire; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days holiday

Free on-site parking

Additional Annual Leave on your Birthday

Company pension plan

Medicash plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

A leading fruit supplier in the UK is seeking a Convenience Technologist to ensure product safety and quality standards. The role involves managing supplier assessments, conducting audits, and supporting product development initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and experience in quality management within the food industry. This position is based in Spalding, Lincolnshire, and includes benefits such as additional holiday on your birthday and a company pension plan.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of pesticide residue, microbiological and nutritional analysis.
• Proven experience in technical or quality management systems.
• Background in prepared and manufactured food products.
• Detail-oriented with high accuracy and quality.

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplier risk assessments and certification requirements.
• Manage sampling and analysis programmes.
• Conduct internal and support external audits.
• Support audits (internal, external, customer, BRC).
• Update specifications, packaging documents, and complaint databases.
• Analyse performance, prepare KPI reports, and share insights.

Skills

Product testing processes

Attention to detail

Proactive mindset

Attention to detail

Proactive mindset

Willingness to travel

Job description

Job Summary

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain, we grow, source, ripen, pack, process, and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce - 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers, served from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

We’re looking for a Convenience Technologist to join our team in Spalding, Lincolnshire. You will play a vital role in maintaining our reputation for excellence in product safety, quality, and authenticity. You’ll work closely with Technical Managers and cross‑functional teams to ensure customer and internal standards are met and exceeded, through proactive supplier development and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplier risk assessments and ensure all due diligence and certification requirements are up to date (e.g. GlobalG.A.P., GFSI, SEDEX).
• Manage sampling and analysis programmes covering microbiology, pesticide, nutritional, and organoleptic testing.
• Ensure customer due diligence, protocols, and quality standards are fully met.
• Conduct internal audits and support external, customer, and BRC site audits.
• Update and maintain specifications, packaging documentation, and customer complaint databases.
• Analyse performance, complete monthly KPI and benchmarking reports, and share insights with the business.
• Support NPD projects through trials, results analysis, and artwork approvals.
• Undertake overseas supplier visits for auditing and development.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of product testing processes, including pesticide residue, microbiological, organoleptic, and nutritional analysis.
• Proven experience using retailer and industry technical or quality management systems.
• Background in working with prepared and manufactured food products, ideally within a retail or supply chain environment.
• Proven ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in all aspects of work.
• Strong proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative, and drive continuous improvements independently.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally, as required by business needs.

Desirable

• Qualified or trained Internal Auditor is highly desirable.

Benefits

• 20 days holiday
• Free on-site parking
• Additional Annual Leave Day on your Birthday
• Company pension plan
• Medicash plan
• Life Insurance