Ripener

D R Newitt; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cycle to Work scheme

On-site parking

Medicash plan

Death in Service benefit

Professional development

Job summary

DRNewitt is seeking a hands-on Fruit Ripener near Tonbridge, Kent, to join a leading fresh produce operation. The role reports to the Head of Product & Ripening and works with Senior Ripeners to meet strict customer specs and uphold quality.

Responsibilities include planning ripening rooms, testing ripeness, managing stock, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Technical, Procurement and Commercial teams. 5S and safety are emphasised in daily practice.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a ripener in fresh produce environments.
• Strong grasp of fruit ripening across categories, origins and varieties.
• Experience handling dry matter testing and ripening trials.
• Clear communication with a proactive, collaborative approach to teamwork and food safety.

Responsibilities

• Plan and load ripening rooms to match customer briefs and maintain stock of ~1.5–2 days.
• Assess fruit ripeness, run dry matter tests, and conduct ripening trials.
• Control stock rotation to minimise waste and maximise shelf life.
• Liaise with Production, Technical, Procurement and Commercial teams on performance and supplier issues.
• Monitor room controls, calibrate equipment and maintain 5S working environment.

Skills

Ripener experience

Fruit ripening knowledge

Data handling

Communication

Horticulture or food science bonus

Education

Horticulture qualification

Food science qualification

Job description

40 hours per week | 05:30 to 14:00 (with a 30-minute break) | Working every other weekend

The Opportunity

I am currently working with a leading fresh produce organisation near Tonbridge, Kent, as they look to expand their ripening team. Known for supplying top-tier retail all year-round, they specialise in ripening high-quality stone fruit.

They are looking for a hands-on Fruit Ripener to join the operation, reporting directly to the Head of Product & Ripening while working alongside Senior Ripeners to hit strict customer specifications and maintain exceptional quality standards.

Your Responsibilities

• Managing the Ripening Process: Planning and loading rooms to match customer briefs, keeping a solid stock holding of around 1.5 to 2 days.
• Quality & Testing: Assessing fruit ripeness, running dry matter tests, conducting trial ripening runs, and flagging any quality variations straight away.
• Stock Control & Waste Reduction: Keeping a close eye on stock rotation through the cycle to minimise waste and maximise shelf life.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Liaising with the Production, Technical, Procurement, and Commercial teams to update them on performance, yield, and any supplier issues before production kicks off.
• Compliance & Calibration: Monitoring room controls, calibrating equipment, keeping BRC documentation up to date, and maintaining a safe 5S working environment.

Your Skills & Experience

• Proven experience working as a Ripener or within a fresh produce/food production environment.
• A strong grasp of fruit ripening across various categories, origins, and varieties.
• Confident working with data, handling dry matter testing, and executing ripening trials.
• Clear communication skills with a proactive, collaborative approach to teamwork and food safety.
• Relevant qualifications in horticulture or food science are a great bonus, though hands-on experience is key.

The Package & Benefits

• Salary: £32,593.60 per year
• Holiday: 6.6 weeks annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Pension & Shares: Company pension scheme plus optional share scheme
• Wellbeing & Support: Medicash plan, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and Death in Service benefit
• Perks: Cycle to Work scheme, on-site parking, and ongoing professional development