Fresh Produce Technician

D R Newitt & Associates; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Benefits package

Job summary

D R Newitt & Associates in Tonbridge seeks a Fresh Produce Technician to oversee fruit ripening and quality control across UK deliveries. You will monitor ripening rooms, run quality assessments, and work with production to ensure stock meets customer specifications.

The role emphasizes practical knowledge of fresh produce, strong attention to detail, and collaboration with Technical and Commercial teams to maintain high product standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh produce, fruit ripening or food production.
• Understanding of fruit ripening processes and product quality assessment.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene and technical compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan, load and monitor ripening rooms per specs and production needs.
• Assess ripeness and perform quality checks including dry matter tests.
• Report quality issues and maintain product standards.
• Manage stock through ripening, rotate inventory and minimise waste.
• Monitor equipment and maintain records for compliance and traceability.

Skills

Fresh produce experience

Fruit ripening

Quality control

Stock management

Hygiene & food safety

Education

Food science / horticulture qualification

Job description

Fresh Produce Technician

Location: Tonbridge

Salary: £32,593.60 per annum

Sector: Fresh Produce / Food Production

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 5:30am - 2:00pm (including a 30-minute break), plus alternate weekend working.

About the Opportunity

Are you passionate about fresh produce and have experience in fruit ripening, quality control or fresh food production?

We are recruiting a Fresh Produce Technician to join a successful and growing business within the fresh produce industry.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with practical fresh produce knowledge who enjoys working in a fast-pac operational environment and takes pride in delivering consistently high product quality.

You will play an important role in overseeing fruit ripening processes, monitoring product quality and ensuring stock meets customer specifications. Working with a variety of fruit categories, you will help ensure products are delivered in optimum condition to customers across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

Ripening & Product Quality

• Plan, load and monitor ripening rooms in line with customer specifications and production requirements.
• Assess fruit ripeness and carry out quality checks, including dry matter testing.
• Identify and report quality issues, taking appropriate action to maintain product standards.
• Monitor ripening performance across different fruit categories, origins and varieties.

Stock Management & Production Support

• Manage stock throughout the ripening process, ensuring effective rotation and minimising product waste.
• Work closely with Production, Technical and Commercial teams to coordinate stock availability and highlight potential risks.
• Maintain accurate records and provide regular updates on product quality and ripening performance.

Equipment, Processes & Compliance

• Monitor ripening room conditions and ensure equipment is operating correctly.
• Carry out equipment checks and calibration.
• Support ripening trials and process improvements to enhance product quality and consistency.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and records in line with BRCGS and food safety requirements.
• Ensure a clean, organised and safe working environment, maintaining high standards of hygiene and workplace organisation.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Previous experience within fresh produce, fruit ripening or food production.
• A good understanding of fruit ripening processes, including different fruit categories, origins and varieties.
• Experience in product quality assessment and stock management.
• An understanding of food safety, hygiene and technical compliance standards.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy production environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with different departments.
• A proactive approach, good attention to detail and a genuine commitment to maintaining high product standards.

Desirable experience

• Dry matter testing and fruit quality assessment.
• Ripening trials and process improvement.
• Equipment monitoring and calibration.
• Food science, horticultural or other relevant technical qualifications.

What's in It for You?

• Competitive salary of £32,593.60 per annum.
• Generous 6.6 weeks' annual leave, including bank holidays.
• Competitive benefits package