Product Manager

Morepeople 01780; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in fresh produce is seeking a Technical Quality Lead to oversee quality in retail accounts for prominent clients like M&S and Ocado. This hands-on role requires strong experience in fresh produce, confidence in packhouse environments, and the ability to communicate effectively across teams.

Qualifications

• Strong technical/quality experience in fresh produce.
• Confidence in production and packhouse environments.
• Deep understanding of customer specs and shelf life.

Responsibilities

• Be the go-to technical lead for M&S & Ocado product categories.
• Drive quality at source across packhouse operations.
• Coordinate with teams to deliver best-in-class product.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Resilience

Job description

Product Manager | Fresh Produce Focus

Are you ready to take ownership of high-profile retail accounts in the fresh produce world?
We're looking for a driven and experienced Technical Quality Lead to manage the day-to-day technical and quality demands of supplying top-tier products to M&S and Ocado. This role is hands-on, fast-paced, and highly collaborative - perfect for someone who thrives in the thick of packhouse operations but also knows their way around a spec sheet.

The role

Be the go-to technical lead for M&S & Ocado product categories

Drive quality at source across packhouse operations: standards, yields, waste, and shelf life

Manage sampling, variety trials, and product assessments

Attend and contribute to key meetings: production, availability, and senior leadership

Be present on the lines - monitoring, reacting, and leading from the front

Support technical systems: specs, compliance, KPI reporting, and customer comms

Coordinate with teams, and ripening partners to deliver best-in-class product

Be the face of quality during customer site visits

What You'll Bring:

Strong technical/quality experience in fresh produce could be Stone Fruit, Berries, Tropicals, Salads etc (retail-facing experience essential - M&S a big plus)

Confidence in production and packhouse environments

Deep understanding of customer specs, shelf life, and ripening behaviour

Skilled communicator across multiple teams (Operations, Technical, Commercial, Procurement)

Resilience, attention to detail, and the ability to manage time across shifting priorities

Why Join ?

This is a chance to work with premium retailers, exciting produce categories, and a collaborative business that values initiative, improvement, and innovation. You'll be given space to lead, support to grow, and real influence over products that end up on thousands of plates across the UK.

Apply now and bring your expertise to where it matters most - right at the heart of the supply chain.