Senior Ripener-Fresh Produce

Zoe

Tonbridge

On-site

GBP 32,000 - 39,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Holidays

Pension scheme

Share scheme

Learning and development

Free onsite parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Parental pay

Life Assurance

Season Ticket Loans

Eye tests

Cycle to Work

Medicash Plan

Job summary

Zoe is seeking a Senior Ripener to support daily ripening operations at our Ripening Centre near Tonbridge. You will use technical knowledge, planning judgment and data to deliver fruit to customer quality, quantity and service requirements, while managing stock flow and ensuring safe, compliant operations.

You will lead ripening activities, mentor team members, and collaborate with QA, procurement and production to optimize yield, minimize waste and uphold food safety standards.

Qualifications

Fresh produce ripening or food production experience.
Ability to assess fruit maturity and manage stock by origin/season.
Strong data management and room planning skills.
Commitment to food safety, hygiene, traceability and health & safety.

Responsibilities

Prioritise daily ripening activity, stock checks, room movements and operational tasks.
Update stakeholders on performance, availability, quality risks and actions.
Guide Ripeners, act as a senior contact and escalate issues to the Head of Product & Ripening.
Plan and manage rooms to meet customer specifications, service requirements and stock targets.
Assess condition and maturity, adjust cycles for origin, variety, season, stock age and customer need.
Balance availability, shelf life, yield and waste while controlling stock rotation and product flow.
Support QA with in-loading checks, supplier compliance, quality risks and waste reporting.

Skills

Ripening operations

Team mentoring

Data analysis

Food safety

Job description

Our client are looking for the perfect candidate to support their established and ambitious UK Fresh Produce business, based at a newly invested Ripening Centre of Excellence near Tonbridge. 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.

This is an opportunity for you to join the team 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 escalat issues to the Head of Product & Ripening.

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; escalat room or plant issues and recommend action.
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.

Employment Terms and Benefits