Senior Ripener

The Fresh Produce Centre, Ltd.; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols

Pension scheme

Optional company share scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Free onsite parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Medicash

Death in service benefit

Job summary

The Avocado Company in Paddock Wood seeks a Senior Ripener to manage daily ripening operations, using data and practical knowledge to deliver quality fruit on time. You will supervise ripeners, plan room use and optimise stock flow while ensuring food safety and compliance.

Joining a growing business with global grower partnerships, you will contribute to achieving 52-week supply targets and deliver consistent customer service across retail, wholesale and foodservice.

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh produce, ripening or food production.
• Strong knowledge of fruit behaviour across origins, varieties, seasons and stock profiles.
• Able to assess condition accurately and make sound decisions to maximise shelf life and minimise waste.

Responsibilities

• Prioritise daily ripening activity, stock checks, room movements and operational tasks.
• Update Production, Technical, Commercial and Procurement on performance, availability, quality risks and actions.
• Guide Ripeners, act as a senior contact and escalate issues when required.
• Plan and manage rooms to meet customer specifications, service requirements and stock targets.
• Assess condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar level and visual checks; adjust cycles for origin, variety, season, stock age and customer need.
• Balance availability, shelf life, yield and waste while controlling stock rotation, room use and product flow.
• Support QA with in-loading checks, supplier compliance, quality risks and waste reporting.
• Monitor and calibrate equipment; escalate issues to maintenance when needed.
• Use data and trials to improve yield, room utilisation, consistency and loss reduction.
• Keep audit-ready ripening, quality and traceability records in line with BRC, hygiene, 5S and company procedures.

Skills

Fresh produce experience

Ripening

Food production

Fruit knowledge

Job description

We are looking for the perfect candidate to support our established and ambitious UK business, The Avocado Company, based at our newly invested Ripening Centre of Excellence in Paddock Wood . With grower partners in key locations around the world, we ensure a seamless 52-week supply of the best quality avocados to customers in retail, wholesale and foodservice both in the UK and further afield.

We have an opportunity for you to join our team in Paddock Wood as a Senior Ripener, you would be responsible for supporting daily ripening operations, using technical knowledge, planning judgement and accurate data to deliver fruit to customer quality, quantity and service requirements. The role manages stock flow, makes informed decisions, supports Ripeners and maintains safe, compliant and efficient operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Support & Communication:

• Prioritise daily ripening activity, stock checks, room movements and operational tasks.
• Update Production, Technical, Commercial and Procurement on performance, availability, quality risks and actions.
• Guide Ripeners, act as a senior contact and escal…?

Ripening, Quality & Stock Control:

• Plan and manage rooms to meet customer specifications, service requirements and stock targets.
• Assess condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar-level and visual checks; adjust cycles for origin, variety, season, stock age and customer need.
• Balance availability, shelf life, yield and waste while controlling stock rotation, room use and product flow.
• Support QA with in-loading checks, supplier compliance, quality risks and waste reporting.

Equipment, Process & Compliance:

• Monitor and calibrate equipment; escal…?
• Use data and trials to improve yield, room utilisation, consistency and loss reduction.
• Keep audit-ready ripening, quality and traceability records in line with BRC, hygiene, 5S and company procedures.

Our Perfect Candidate:

• You will have practical experience in fresh produce, ripening or food production and strong knowledge of fruit behaviour across origins, varieties, seasons and stock profiles. You can assess condition accurately, make sound decisions and adapt plans to deliver specification, maximise shelf life and control waste.
• Organised and confident with data, you manage rooms and plan stock through the ripening cycle. You communicate clearly, mentor Ripeners, lead by example, improve performance and uphold food safety, hygiene, traceability and health and safety standards.

The Hours You Would Work:

• 5 on 2 off. Shift does include some weekend working.
  5.30/6am start - 2/2.30pm finish.

What We Can Offer You:

• A competitive salary.
• 6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols.
• Pension scheme.
• Optional company share scheme.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Free onsite parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Medicash.
• Death in service benefit.