Technologist / Technical Manager

MorePeople; Spalding; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fresh produce company in Spalding is seeking a Fresh Produce Technologist to ensure the highest quality from field to fork. In this role, you will drive improvements in product quality and sustainability, work closely with growers and packers, and support R&D initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a degree in a relevant field, strong understanding of food safety standards, and excellent communication skills. If you're passionate about fresh produce and eager to innovate, this opportunity awaits you.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of HACCP, Food Safety, BRC.
• Strong knowledge of UK retailers & trends.
• Skilled in report writing.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with growers and packers for quality improvement.
• Act as a go-to contact for customers in the supply chain.
• Conduct supplier audits and quality visits.
• Monitor food safety KPIs and ethical accreditations.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Education

Degree-level qualification (or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Fresh Produce Technologist / Technical Manager

Where quality meets innovation… and great produce starts its journey to the shelf.

Do you love fresh produce, field walks, crop trials, supplier relationships, and being right at the heart of where great food begins? We are looking for a Fresh Produce Technologist to champion quality from field to fork, partner with world‑class growers, and help deliver the freshest, most sustainable produce to their customers.

In this role you'll work across growers, packhouses, retailers, and internal teams – making sure every product lives up to the standards their customers expect. You'll be a problem‑solver, an innovator, a quality guardian… and a key ambassador for the business.

What You'll Be Doing

• Working closely with growers and packers to drive top‑tier quality and continuous improvement
• Acting as a go‑to contact for customers and maintaining strong relationships across the supply chain
• Championing our Human Rights commitments and ensuring safe, ethical working environments
• Supporting R&D, innovation, and sustainability projects that move the industry forward
• Ensuring growers and packhouses uphold gold‑standard technical and sustainability practices
• Conducting supplier audits, quality visits, and due diligence checks
• Monitoring product integrity, food safety KPIs, ethical accreditations, pesticide testing, and more
• Benchmarking products and driving improvements in shelf life, quality, and consistency
• Delivering crop reports, PIR reviews, grower scorecards, and seasonal insights
• Hosting retail buyers/technologists on farm – showcasing crop quality and big‑picture trends
• Leading crop trials, NPD concepts, and first‑to‑market opportunities
• Driving sustainability initiatives including Net Zero, packaging reduction, and ICM practices
• Staying ahead of industry trends to keep our customers in the know

Who We're Looking For

• Degree‑level qualification (or equivalent) ideally
• Solid understanding of HACCP, Food Safety, BRC
• Strong knowledge of UK retailers & trends
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Commercially aware and analytical
• Confident problem‑solver and proactive team player
• Skilled in Microsoft Office & report writing

Fresh Produce Knowledge

Fresh produce knowledge is an important asset for this role, enabling effective collaboration with growers and packhouses, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

You’ll be part of a forward‑thinking technical team, hands‑on with crops, growers, innovation, and sustainability – shaping the future of fresh produce for a major UK retailer base.

If you're passionate about produce, energised by technical problem‑solving, and excited by the chance to innovate from seed to shelf… this role is calling your name. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Luan Harrison for further information.