Senior Ripener - Fresh Produce

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 escalate 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; escalate 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

* £35k DOE

* 6 weeks hols inc BH

* Shift Hours 530am-2pm/6am-2.30pm) flex inc weekends (40hr week)

* Pension scheme (Auto enrolment)

* Optional co. share scheme

* Learning and development opportunities

* Free onsite parking

* Employee Assistance Programme

* Enhanced Occupational Parental Pay

* Life Assurance (Salary multiple x 1)

* Season Ticket Loans

* Imagination library

* Free Eye Tests/Glasses

* Cycle to Work scheme

* Medicash Plan Level 1