Senior Ripener

Drnewitt; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Modern facility

Career development

Job summary

Drnewitt, a leading fresh produce supplier near Tonbridge, is seeking a Senior Ripener to lead daily ripening operations and manage stock flow to meet retail and foodservice standards. You will optimise ripening rooms, assess fruit condition with metrics, coach junior staff, and coordinate with Production, Technical, Commercial and Procurement teams to align on quality and delivery.

This full-time role offers a competitive £35,000 salary, modern facilities, and long-term career development in a

Qualifications

• Experience in fresh produce ripening or food manufacturing.
• Knowledge of food-safety standards such as BRC/HACCP.

Responsibilities

• Ripening & Stock Management: Plan, manage, and optimise ripening rooms to meet customer volume, spec, and timing requirements.
• Quality Control: Assess fruit condition and maturity using metrics and visual checks; adjust cycles as needed.
• Team Guidance: Mentor junior Ripeners and escalate issues to senior management.
• Cross-Departmental Communication: Collaborate daily with Production, Technical, Commercial, and Procurement teams.
• Process & Compliance: Monitor equipment, maintain audit-ready records, and support continuous improvement/yield trials.

Skills

Ripening expertise

Stock management

Quality control

Leadership

Data analysis

Job description

Job Description

Senior Ripener / Ripening Specialist – Fresh Produce

Near Tonbridge, Kent

£35,000 per annum

Full-time, Permanent

About the Role

A leading fresh produce supplier based near Tonbridge is seeking an experienced Senior Ripener to join their state-of-the-art facility.

Working with high-volume, global produce lines year-round, you will lead daily ripening operations, manage stock flow, and use technical expertise to ensure fruit meets exact retail, wholesale, and foodservice quality specifications. This is a key position where your technical decision-making directly impacts quality, yield, and waste reduction.

Key Responsibilities

• Ripening & Stock Management: Plan, manage, and optimise ripening rooms to meet customer volume, spec, and timing requirements.
• Quality Control: Assess fruit condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar levels, and visual checks. Adjust cycles according to variety, origin, season, and stock age.
• Team Guidance: Act as a senior technical contact on site, guiding and mentoring junior Ripeners, and escalating issues to senior management when necessary.
• Cross-Departmental Communication: Collaborate daily with Production, Technical, Commercial, and Procurement teams regarding stock availability, quality risks, and operational priorities.
• Process & Compliance: Monitor and calibrate equipment, maintain audit-ready BRC, hygiene, and traceability records, and support continuous improvement/yield trials.

Your Skills & Experience

• Industry Experience: Proven practical experience within fresh produce, commercial fruit ripening, or food manufacturing.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of fruit behaviour across different origins, seasons, and varieties.
• Data & Decision-Making: Confident using data to plan stock flow, manage room utilisation, and minimise waste while maximising shelf life.
• Leadership & Standards: Clear communicator capable of mentoring staff and upholding strict food safety, BRC, and H&S standards.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £35,000
• Opportunity to work in a newly invested, modern facility
• Long-term career development within a stable, growing industry sector