Ripener

The-Fresh-Produce-Centre-Ltd; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks leave

Pension scheme

Share scheme

Learning opportunities

Free onsite parking

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Medicash

Death in service benefit

Job summary

The Fresh Produce Centre Ltd in Paddock Wood is seeking a Ripener to join our Ripening Centre of Excellence. You will support Senior Ripeners to meet customer specs, improve yield and shelf life, and work closely with Production, Technical and Commercial teams.

Hours are 40 per week, starting early morning with a half-hour break and every other weekend. We offer leave, pension, a share scheme, learning opportunities, parking, EAP, cycle-to-work and more.

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh produce/ripening or food production.
• Knowledge of ripening across fruit categories, origins and varieties.
• Ability to assess quality and maximise shelf life using data.

Responsibilities

• Plan and load rooms to customer requirements with stock targets.
• Assess pallet ripeness, perform dry matter tests and report issues.
• Run ripening trials and apply origin/variety knowledge for better outcomes.
• Manage stock through ripening cycles and minimise waste.
• Record waste levels and share findings with teams.
• Update stakeholders on performance and risks.
• Check equipment and calibrate, improve ripening protocols.
• Support improvements to increase yield and efficiency.
• Maintain 5S and follow hygiene and safety policies.

Skills

Fresh produce knowledge

Ripening expertise

Data interpretation

Clear communication

Job description

We are looking for the perfect candidate to join our Ripening Centre of Excellence in Paddock Wood, where we currently ripen Avocados, Kiwi and stone fruit. With grower partners around the world, we supply quality fruit throughout the year to customers in retail, wholesale and foodservice in the UK and further afield.

As a Ripener, reporting to the Head of Product & Ripening, you will support the Senior Ripeners to meet customer specifications and maintain product quality. You will use technical knowledge and accurate data to improve yield, shelf life and operational efficiency, working closely with colleagues across the business.

Key responsibilities:

Ripening & quality management:

• Plan and load rooms to customer requirements, holding at least 1.5 days of stock with a 2-day target.
• Assess pallet ripeness, carry out dry matter testing and report anomalies or quality concerns promptly.
• Run accelerated ripening trials and apply knowledge of origins and varieties to improve outcomes.

Stock control & operational collaboration:

• Manage stock through the ripening cycle, using rotation and proactive planning to minimise waste.
• Complete stock assessments, record waste levels and share findings with the relevant teams.
• Update Production, Technical and Commercial on performance and quality risks before production.
• Give Procurement and Technical clear evidence of quality concerns and supplier performance issues.

Equipment, process & compliance:

• Check and calibrate equipment, monitor room controls and use trial data to improve ripening protocols.
• Support the Senior Ripeners with improvements to increase yield, reduce losses and improved efficiency.
• Keep accurate BRC records, maintain a safe 5S workplace and follow company hygiene and safety policies.

Our perfect candidate:

You will bring fresh produce, ripening or food production experience and strong knowledge of ripening across different fruit categories, origins and varieties. You can assess quality accurately, plan stock to maximise shelf life and minimise waste, and use data confidently. You will communicate clearly and make sound decisions.

Proactive and collaborative, you will uphold food safety, hygiene and workplace standards and treat others with respect. Dry matter testing, ripening trials, equipment calibration or food or horticultural qualifications would be an advantage.

The hours you would work:

40 hours per week 5.30am until 2pm with ½ hour break and every other weekend.

What else we can offer you:

• 6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols.
• Pension scheme.
• Optional company share scheme.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Free onsite parking.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cycle to work Scheme.
• Medicash.
• Death in service benefit.