The Fresh Produce Centre Ltd

Technologist with Ethical focus

Tonbridge, KentContract
About the Job
MATERNITY COVER contract with the potential to turn into a permanent position.

Reporting to our Technical Manager, we are looking for a technologist to become part of our team of Avocado experts. Focussing on compliance from our world class supply partners, you will have responsibility for the management of grower due diligence, forming the critical link between our growers and customers and therefore you will be an organised and effective communicator. The opportunity to learn about the technical aspects of our product from post- harvest controls through the entire supply chain, to the sophisticated ripening process in our new state of the art facilities, will appeal to you and present a great foundation for future progression. This could be a good career move for someone with either relevant experience in a similar role looking to get into the very fast paced & exciting growth category that is Avocados, or someone with some fresh produce industry experience looking for their first step into a technical role, we can tailor the training and package to suit.  What you must bring is not only great attention to detail when managing data, but also energy, enthusiasm and a thirst to learn new things.

The Avocado Company, based at our newly invested Ripening Centre of Excellence in Paddock Wood and with grower partners around the world, is an established and growth hungry business, supplying the best quality avocados to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in the UK and overseas.

It’ll be your responsibility to collate, present and analyse accurate data to the team, enabling them to articulate the information back to our customers.  With a key focus on due diligence and compliance, our ideal candidate will be well organised, with a key eye for detail. As much of this information is compiled using Microsoft Excel, we’re ideally looking for someone who is proficient with using the software.

You’ll also be supporting category leadership through value adding innovation and R&D (eg. variety development, packaging solutions, sustainability, data, points of difference) whilst at all times communicating effectively until the point of implementation.

This role presents a fantastic opportunity to gain a good understanding of our technical operations, providing a platform for progression and development within a fast-paced and dynamic team.

What you’ll bring:
  • Trained in using Excel (preferably to an advanced level) and comfortable with Pivot tables, Power pivot and basic formulas. Intermediate to advanced level in PowerPoint & Word.
  • Organised with an excellent attention to detail.
  • Able to understand and interpret customer requirements.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills at all levels internally and externally.
  • Commercial awareness.
  • A proactive can-do attitude.
  • Ability to analyse complex data.
  • QA or previous Technical experience would be desirable.

The hours you would work:
Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm (40hrs per week)

What else we can offer you:
  • A competitive salary.
  • 6.6 weeks annual leave incl. bank hols.
  • Pension scheme.
  • Optional company share scheme.
  • Learning and development opportunities.
  • Free onsite parking.
  • Employee Assistance Program.
  • Cycle to work Scheme.
  • Medicash.
  • Death in service benefit.