We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Food Technologist - Produce to join our Technical Team at IPL as part of the retail technical function.
If you are passionate, and eager to contribute to driving produce quality standards for our customers – we would love to hear from you.
Position Details:
• Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:30am – 5:00pm
• Location: Flexible to 3 options as your base - IPL, Normanton / Asda House / Sittingbourne Kent.
• Contract Type: Permanent
Given the need for regular travel across supply base and stores, applicants must hold a full driving licence, passport, and have access to their own vehicle.
Your key responsibilities will include:
• To risk assess, maintain and implement a UK residue testing schedule
• Regularly review label confirmations, ensuring that all Retail requirements are met
• Ensure that all company due diligence requirements are in place
• Maintain supplier approvals and implement regular due diligence is in place for suppliers, sites and specifications using internal and external platforms.
• You will be the Category technical representative for site audits and will support any traceability challenges conducted by them. You will also ensure full closure of non-conformities and corrective actions are in place
• Manage any specification amendments, publishing to all stakeholders. You will also compile various data reports as and when requested
• Manage benchmarking sessions including competitor shopping as required and report results back to key stakeholders
• Provide a weekly CPMU business update
• Feedback to suppliers on technical / quality performance
• Weekly crop reports and data will be collated and published to key stakeholders
• Monitor and record any supplier responses to inbound reds and ensure that all rejections are recorded in line with company policies
• Provide updated and relevant category information for supplier reviews
• Maintain strong working relationships with Internal colleagues, Asda and 3rd party suppliers
• To raise purchase orders and receive in invoices as required
• To manage and communicate government (HSE, APHA etc.) correspondence to key stakeholders.
What are we looking for?
- This role would suit a candidate with relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science
- Relevant experience in fresh produce ideal or experience in retail technical roles would be an advantage.
- Relevant experience / qualifications in sensory evaluation
- Logical, evidence led thinking and data analysis
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft office – Excel, Power Point & Word
- Ability to problem solve with full confidence in decision making
- Your analysis, judgement and concise report writing will be an asset to the role
- Ability to speak Spanish would be an advantage
What's in it for you?
At IPL, Forza, and Kober, we're dynamic businesses, dedicated to fostering the development of our colleagues and creating an exceptional work environment. We believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration to drive our success. To continue our growth, we're seeking individuals who embody our values, culture, and commitment.
In return, we offer opportunities for professional development, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
🛒 15% Asda In-store Discount
🌴 Paid Annual Leave Allowance – varies depending on shift pattern
💼 Enhanced pension scheme
🛡️ Life Assurance - All our colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 x their annual base salary
🩺 Help@hand - Free, direct access to health and wellbeing support service, including unlimited video consultations with a UK-based GP 24/7, physiotherapy, and mental health support
🤝 Grocery Aid - We’ve partnered with Grocery Aid to provide our colleagues and their families with a wide range of emotional, practical, and financial support services
🚗 Electric Vehicle Scheme*
📱 Asda Mobile Discount - 30% off a wide range of Asda Mobile bundles and add-ons for our colleagues and one of their family members
🩺 Discounted health assessments - We have exclusively negotiated rates on Self-Pay BUPA Health Assessments for you and members of your household
🐾 Asda Pet Insurance discount – Up to 10% Discount
🏠 Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) - MAB can provide fee-free*, no-obligation mortgage and protection advice
💱 Exclusive Exchange Rates via Asda Money - our colleagues can get a better exchange rate for their travel money when buying currency through Asda Travel Money (TravelEx)
🚴 Ride-to-work scheme - We work with Evans to provide our colleagues with great savings across their range of bikes, clothing, and equipment
🧑⚕️ Care Concierge - The Care Experts. Talk to us - we're listening - Legal & General’s Care Concierge resource
Plus, lots more! Depending on job band, other fantastic benefits are also available including private healthcare, car allowances, and long-term incentive schemes.
Like what you’ve read? Then do your research, update your CV, and once you’re ready, hit the apply button. Don’t delay, apply today! 🚀