Research And Development Assistant - Fruit / Fresh Produce

Tailor Made Resources; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A key player in the Fresh Produce sector seeks a Research and Development Assistant to support their soft fruit team. This role involves organizing and analyzing samples for testing, collaborating with growers and lab teams, and reporting on varietal performance. Candidates should have extensive R&D experience in the fruit sector and strong data analysis skills. The position is based in Kent, requires travel across the UK, and offers a salary of up to £35k plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a comparable R&D role within the fruit sector.
• Ability to work with breeders, growers, and lab teams.
• Strong report writing skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Organize samples for testing and ensure data accuracy.
• Analyze data and create overviews of varietal performance.
• Conduct end-of-season reviews for product effectiveness.

Skills

Experience in Research and Development

Data analysis

Communication skills

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• A full driving licence is essential, due to travel required.

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 £35k + benefits. Location; Kent, with UK travel.