Fresh Produce Technologist

4 days ago

Andover, United Kingdom Abel & Cole Full time

**Role Summary**:
Reporting to the Senior Agronomist, and acting as an ambassador for Abel & Cole, this is a fantastic opportunity to join an award-winning team that is passionate about delivering top quality products direct to the customer's door.

Based at our Andover site, you will work within the Agronomy (Fruit & Veg) arm of the Abel & Cole Technical team, and will be responsible for fresh produce quality and safety at all stages of the supply chain. You will support our due diligence and own the technical aspects of new product launches and existing SKUs, to ensure our suppliers and products adhere to relevant food safety legislation, are of the quality expected, safe, and legally compliant for consumers. You will develop strong relationships with our suppliers and European office to drive change and implement continuous improvement to deliver long-term strategies for product safety, quality, legality, and authenticity.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Build and maintain strong relationships with fresh produce suppliers, our European office, and Abel & Cole internal teams.
- Risk assess and monitor new and existing suppliers
- Support the buying team and Senior Agronomist to establish crop plans and forecasting tools
- Visit Abel & Cole fresh produce suppliers against a pre-determined schedule and risk assessment, write up crop and visit reports, and following up on any action required.
- Monitor supplier performance through KPIs, quality reports, customer complaints etc. and report back to supplier and buyers to drive crop plans, varieties, and quality improvements
- Work with the Supplier, Agronomy and Buying teams to develop, approve, log and review specifications for existing and new lines/varieties.
- Support the business to deliver timely and successful new product launches from new and existing suppliers.
- Be the first point of contact for any quality issues, queries or customer complaints on fresh produce items, and liaising with the supplier where appropriate to implement any necessary corrective actions.
- Ongoing review of product information to ensure it is accurate and substantiated.
- Creating procedures, documents, and policies to ensure our technical processes are robust to ensure adequate due diligence
- Champion the continual improvement of fresh produce quality from all Abel & Cole teams
- Inspect and report on the quality of produce (against product specifications) at all stages of handling, from intake through to despatch, and including waste streams.
- Attend any relevant meetings to provide insight into quality challenges and improvement opportunities
- Authorise & instigate any required concessions, product shelf-life extensions/reductions, and out of life (OOL) as required
- Lead and support in-house produce handling and shelf-life trials, and report back on the results with any actions as appropriate.
- Provide guidance, training and updates to the business on a range of topics, such as (but not limited to) product quality standards, customer complaints, weather conditions, product handling, testing results, trial data and quality improvement initiatives.
- Keep up to date with technical, legislative and policy changes to ensure our products and suppliers comply with brand and legal requirements

**Skills and Experience**:
**Essential**
- Flexible approach to working and the adaptability to cope in a fast-growing company with changing priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Superb team player with the confidence and ability to work independently.
- Keen attention to detail, especially regarding food safety and quality.
- Highly organised, methodical, and tenacious.

**Desirable**:

- Qualifications in agronomy or similar food science related discipline, or background/experience in the fresh produce sector

**Personal Attributes**
- Keen to learn new things, develop and grow alongside business needs.
- Confidence to deliver training and information to all levels.
- Keen to continually improve product and process
- Tenacity for maintaining paperwork and systems information

**What we offer?**

This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week. The role will be based from Andover Office with willingness and ability to travel between A&C and supplier sites, where required. Also, flexibility may be required for occasional weekend cover.
- Up to salary of £25,000 per annum (FTE)
- 30 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays (FTE)
- Flexible working options considered.
- A free box of fruit and veg every week
- Up to 35% discount on A&C products.
- Wellbeing and Rewards platform with access to discounts, GP service and Employee Assistance Programme.
- Grants for Team sports.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Contributory pension scheme.

**Who are we?**

Abel & Cole has pioneered organic, ethical and sustainable food delivery for over 30 years. Doing things better is our bread and butter; from saving over 60 million plastic bags by using reusable bo

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