Research and Development Assistant – Fruit / Fresh Produce

TAILOR MADE RESOURCES LTD; England; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Tailor Made Resources Limited is recruiting a Research and Development Assistant for a leading fresh produce business in Kent. You will support varietal development, coordinate lab sampling, and help manage data from trials to inform product decisions.

The role requires experience in a comparable R&D position within fruit/soft fruit, collaboration with breeders and labs, and strong data reporting skills. A driving licence is essential due to travel across the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience in a comparable R&D role within fruit/soft fruit sectors.
• Exposure to working with breeders, growers and lab teams.
• Awareness of conducting fruit crop trials.
• Strong data writing and reporting skills; Power BI experience advantageous.
• Full driving licence due to travel.
• Recent graduates welcome to apply.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate samples with lab partner for regular panel testing.
• Collaborate with growers, breeders and internal stakeholders to collect samples.
• Organize transport of samples to the lab on scheduled dates.
• Measure brix and related ratios and log in the product evaluation database.
• Upload results and ensure data is accurate and reportable in the Product Evaluation database.
• Analyze data to produce a season overview and varietal insights.
• Prepare end-of-season reviews highlighting top performers and trial recommendations.

Skills

Data analysis

Report writing

Communication skills

Data trending

Education

Graduate degree welcomed

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Our Client is a key player within the Fresh Produce sector, supplying Fruit products to major retailers and well versed in growing & supplying a strong portfolio of Fruit crops. We offer a new opportunity within their soft fruit team as Research and Development Assistant

The opportunity of Research and Development Assistant offers a fantastic opportunity to join a key player in the industry and become an integral part of the management team.

Key areas of responsibility

• Work with Lab partner to organize regular samples for paneling.
• Work with growers, breeders and internal stakeholders to collate samples of new and existing varieties to be sent to lab partner for testing.
• Organize samples to be transported to the lab on agreed dates for panels to take place.
• Measure brix and brix acid ratios for varieties and log in product evaluation database.
• Upload results to Product Evaluation database, ensuring data is accurate, consistent, and easily reported upon
• Analyses data and creates season overview on varietal performance and suggestions for changes in varietal tiering lists.
• Complete end of season reviews for each product type highlighting best performers and conduct trial work as required.

We require;

• Evidence of extensive experience working in a comparable Research, Development role, preferably within the Fruit / soft fruit sector
• Exposure to working with Breeders, growers and Lab teams
• An awareness of conducting fruit crop trials
• Strong report and data writing with excellent communication skills. Exposure to Power BI would be highly advantageous
• A full driving licence is essential, due to travel required. Graduates are very welcome to apply
• Suitable candidates for this role would have an interest in product, varietal development. Have a keen interest in data analysis and data trending. Taking the results from consumer panels to identify trends and preferences which will have driven varietal development and placement of varieties in the future.

Salary; up to £30k + benefits

Location; Kent, with UK travel