Produce Technologist

Forza Foods Ltd; Normanton and Altofts; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company as a Specialist – Technologist, playing a crucial role in maintaining product quality at a fresh produce facility. With responsibilities spanning quality assurance, technical advice, and regular audits, this hybrid position calls for a candidate with relevant agricultural qualifications and strong analytical skills. Enjoy competitive benefits and a supportive work environment as you contribute to team success.

Benefits

15% Asda In-store Discount

Paid Annual Leave Allowance

Enhanced pension scheme

Life Assurance (4 x annual base salary)

Free access to health and wellbeing support service

Discounted health assessments

Mortgage advice

Electric Vehicle Scheme

Ride-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh produce or horticulture, including Plant Protection Products.
• Experience/qualifications in sensory evaluation (benchmarking).
• Ability to problem-solve confidently.

Responsibilities

• Risk assess and implement a UK residue testing schedule.
• Review label confirmations to meet Retail requirements.
• Deliver technical audit programmes and manage non-conformities.

Skills

Logical thinking

Data analysis

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science

HACCP level 2

BRC Lead Assessor experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Power Point, Word)

Job description

About The Role

Join Our DynamicTechnical TeamatIPL Normanton!

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for aSpecialist – Technologist become a vital part of ourTechnical Teamat our Fresh Produce packing facility in Normanton. If you are technically passionate and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, this role is perfect for you!

Position Details:

• Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (flexibility also required due to travel involved)
• Location: IPL Normanton - Hybrid working (2 days per week from home)
• Contract Type: Permanent

Please note that this role will involve regular travel, and therefore access to your own vehicle along with a full UK driving licence is required.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• To risk assess, maintain and implement a UK residue testing schedule for managed products.
• Regularly review label confirmations, ensuring that all Retail requirements are met.
• Ensure that all company due diligence and supplier approval requirements are in place.
• Deliver the technical audit programmes and ensure closure of non-conformities and corrective actions are in place.
• Quality assurance and management of your assigned products by reviewing performance, communicate and challenge, ensure continuous quality improvements plans are in place and drive positive action and behaviour
• Provide technical advice to the BU and ASDA retail team by identifying actual or potential issues in supply, including opportunities for NPD & innovation
• Investigation of issues on availability, quality and food safety to ensure root cause is identified, immediate and preventative actions are put in place
• Provision of agronomic advice and support to all stakeholders ensuring product knowledge and best practice information is shared within different IPL departments and the wider supply base to support in continuous improvement, grower and varietal development
• Liaise with your business unit, country office colleagues and UK site technical teams to review supplier performance and product quality, identify areas for improvements at source and in efficiency and yield on IPL sites.
• Visit Asda stores regularly to monitor store quality and waste, see how products are performing, engaging with store colleagues and feeding back to the business on opportunities to improve upon product, procurement and packaging
• You will be the Category technical representative for site audits and will support any traceability challenges conducted by them. You will also ensure full closure of non-conformities and corrective actions are in place.
• Manage any specification amendments, publishing to all stakeholders. You will also compile various data reports as and when requested
• Manage benchmarking sessions including competitor shopping as required and report results back to key stakeholders
• Provide a weekly CPMU business update
• Weekly crop reports and data will be collated and published to key stakeholders
• Maintain strong working relationships with Internal colleagues, Asda and 3rd party suppliers
• To raise purchase orders and receive in invoices as required
• To manage and communicate government (HSE, APHA etc.) correspondence to key stakeholders.

What are we looking for?

• This role would suit a candidate with relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science
• HACCP level 2
• BRC Lead Assessor (for Produce & Food role) experience
• Relevant experience in fresh produce or Horticulture including Plant Protection Products and testing thereof.
• Relevant experience / qualifications in sensory evaluation (benchmarking)
• Logical, evidence led thinking and data analysis
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft office – Excel, Power Point & Word
• Ability to problem solve with full confidence in decision making
• Your analysis, judgement and concise report writing will be an asset to the role

What's in it for you?

AtIPL, 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
Paid Annual Leave Allowance – varies depending on shift pattern
Enhanced pension scheme
️ Life Assurance - All our colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 x 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.

Like what you’ve read? Then do your research, update your CV, and once you’re ready, hit the apply button. Don’t delay, apply today!

About Us

Ourpurposehere atIPL, Forza & Koberis simple, we are one team who creates exceptional value for our customers and ourmissionis to supportAsdaon their journey to becoming #2 in the marketplace.

Through our people we live and breathe ourvaluesand 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 and a company to be proud of.

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 makingIPL, Forza and Kobera 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!