Product Manager

Norton Folgate Marketing Ltd; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the fruit industry seeks a Product Manager to oversee packing operations. The role requires managing quality standards, collaborating with various teams, and ensures compliance with industry regulations. Ideal candidates possess strong operational knowledge, strategic planning skills, and a solid background in supply chain management.

Benefits

Discretionary annual bonus scheme

Competitive pension

Health cash plan

Career progression

Supportive work environment

Free fruit

25 days holiday

Qualifications

• Experience managing the packing of product essential.
• Thorough product knowledge across various fruit types.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily fruit packing operations and production schedules.
• Assess and maintain product quality for compliance.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Quality Assurance, and Logistics teams.

Skills

Operational Knowledge

Strategic Planning

Excellent Communication

Supply Chain Management

Lean Manufacturing

Knowledge of Food Safety Standards

KPI Tracking

Influencing

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Prophet

Job description

Job Description: Product Manager

Duration: Permanent Position

Location: Cambridge / Essex border, travel within South East England may be required

Salary: Very competitive for the right candidate!

Package: Discretionary annual bonus scheme / Competitive pension / Health cash plan / Career progression / Supportive work environment and culture / Free fruit

Holidays: 25 days holiday, plus U.K. Bank Holidays to take time to recharge and do something you love.

Key Skills: Operational Knowledge / Strategic Planning / Supply Chain Management / Excellent Communication / Supply Chain & Logistics / Production Planning / Lean Manufacturing / Product Quality Assessment / Knowledge of Food Safety Standards / KPI Tracking / Influencing

Reporting To: Operations Manager

The Role and the Person:

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to manage the packing of fruit and the quality supplied to UK retail clients, as part of a wider team. The right candidate will lead and oversee all aspects of our fresh fruit packing operations, ensuring that production meets our quality, safety, and customer specifications while achieving efficiency, sustainability, and compliance to industry standards.

The Product Manager will act as a conduit between production, which is based in a third-party facility, and our Technical and Commercial Teams. They will actively contribute to the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement initiatives, waste reduction strategies, and enhanced customer satisfaction measures. They will play a key role in maintaining operational agility, adapting to changing customer demands, seasonal variations, and supply chain challenges.

What you’ll be getting up to:

• Manage the packing of fruit daily, ensuring production schedules are met efficiently
• Assess, monitor, and maintain product quality, ensuring alignment with customer and compliance specifications (traceability)
• Work collaboratively with Procurement, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Sales Teams to ensure seamless supply chain operations
• Work with Technical Team to manage product traceability and documentation for internal and external audits
• Strictly adhere to and oversee all health and safety, food safety, and hygiene regulations in the packing area
• Liaise with wider team and suppliers as necessary regarding product specifications, timelines, and potential issues
• Contribute to and help deliver business-wide and cross-functional projects, collaborating with team members and stakeholders
• Manage third-party packers to achieve required performance, quality, cost, and contractual obligations
• Identify and mitigate risks and ensure business continuity
• Assist Procurement and Technical Teams to ensure strict compliance with our procurement policies and processes
• Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and best practices

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Demonstrate thorough product knowledge across a range of fruit types
• Have experience managing the packing of product to drive value through a total cost of ownership approach (essential)
• Possess excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels, including SLT
• Have a natural ability to influence, build fruitful relationships, and demonstrate sound knowledge of the produce industry
• Are proficient in Excel and the Microsoft Office Suite, with Prophet experience being desirable