Technologist

Westfalia Fruit; Scunthorpe; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fruit supplier in Scunthorpe is seeking a Technologist to manage supplier quality and product testing. You will maintain high standards in quality assurance and support new product development initiatives. Ideal candidates will have experience in quality management systems, and a proactive approach to challenges. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and contributions to operational excellence. Attractive benefits include a company pension plan and additional holiday on your birthday.

Benefits

20 days holiday

Free on-site parking

Additional Annual Leave Day on your Birthday

Company pension plan

Medicash plan

Life Insurance

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of product testing processes, including pesticide residue and microbiological analysis.
• Proven experience using retailer and industry technical or quality management systems.
• Background in working with prepared and manufactured food products.

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplier risk assessments and ensure certifications are up to date.
• Manage sampling and analysis programmes covering microbiological and nutritional testing.
• Conduct internal audits and support external audits.

Skills

Strong understanding of product testing processes

Proven experience with technical or quality management systems

Attention to detail

Proactive mindset

Job description

About the role

proactive supplier development and continuous improvement, you'll help deliver safe, high-quality, and responsibly sourced products to our UK retail and wholesale partners. Be the expert who champions customer satisfaction and operational excellence, ensuring every Westfalia product meets the highest standards from field to fork.

This role would also be an excellent step-up opportunity for a quality professional such as a QC Technician, Quality Inspector, or similar with a strong manufacturing background who is looking to progress into a broader technical or quality position. It could equally suit a Technologist seeking a sideways move to gain wider exposure and further develop their expertise.

Responsibilities

• Maintain supplier risk assessments and ensure all due diligence and certification requirements are up to date (e.g. GlobalG.A.P., GFSI, SEDEX).
• Manage sampling and analysis programmes covering microbiology, pesticide, nutritional, and organoleptic testing.
• Ensure customer due diligence, protocols, and quality standards are fully met.
• Conduct internal audits and support external, customer, and BRC site audits.
• Update and maintain specifications, packaging documentation, and customer complaint databases.
• Analyse performance, complete monthly KPI and benchmarking reports, and share insights with the business.
• Support NPD projects through trials, results analysis, and artwork approvals.
• Undertake overseas supplier visits for auditing and development.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of product testing processes, including pesticide residue, microbiological, organoleptic, and nutritional analysis.
• Proven experience using retailer and industry technical or quality management systems.
• A quality professional such as a QC Technician, Quality Inspector, or similar with a strong manufacturing background who is ready to progress into a broader technical or quality role, or an existing Technologist seeking a lateral move to gain wider exposure and further develop their expertise.
• Background in working with prepared and manufactured food products, ideally within a retail or supply chain environment.
• Proven ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in all aspects of work.
• Strong proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative, and drive continuous improvements independently.
• Wness to travel within the UK and internationally, as required by business needs.

Desirable

• Qualified or trained Internal Auditor is highly desirable.

Benefits

• 20 days holiday
• Free on-site parking
• Additional Annual Leave Day on your Birthday
• Company pension plan
• Medicash plan
• Life Insurance

Company Background

Similar jobs, About the role:To support the NPD Manager in the management and day to day running of the NPD team and the creation of exciting new products for our customers. Roles and responsibilities: A key support role within our Development Team working across a wide range of ... Job Description Come and join the leading #avoexperts Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce - 365 days a year & across the globe. With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa. We're looking for a Technologist to join our team in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Join Westfalia Fruit as a Technologist and play a vital role in maintaining our reputation for excellence in product safety, quality, and authenticity. You'll work closely with Technical Managers and cross-functional teams to ensure customer and internal standards are met and exceeded. Through