Job Description
Senior Ripener / Ripening Specialist – Fresh Produce
Near Tonbridge, Kent
£35,000 per annum
Full-time, Permanent
About the Role
A leading fresh produce supplier based near Tonbridge is seeking an experienced Senior Ripener to join their state-of-the-art facility.
Working with high-volume, global produce lines year-round, you will lead daily ripening operations, manage stock flow, and use technical expertise to ensure fruit meets exact retail, wholesale, and foodservice quality specifications. This is a key position where your technical decision-making directly impacts quality, yield, and waste reduction.
Key Responsibilities
- Ripening & Stock Management: Plan, manage, and optimise ripening rooms to meet customer volume, spec, and timing requirements.
- Quality Control: Assess fruit condition and maturity using pressure, dry matter, grading, sugar levels, and visual checks. Adjust cycles according to variety, origin, season, and stock age.
- Team Guidance: Act as a senior technical contact on site, guiding and mentoring junior Ripeners, and escalating issues to senior management when necessary.
- Cross-Departmental Communication: Collaborate daily with Production, Technical, Commercial, and Procurement teams regarding stock availability, quality risks, and operational priorities.
- Process & Compliance: Monitor and calibrate equipment, maintain audit-ready BRC, hygiene, and traceability records, and support continuous improvement/yield trials.
Your Skills & Experience
- Industry Experience: Proven practical experience within fresh produce, commercial fruit ripening, or food manufacturing.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of fruit behaviour across different origins, seasons, and varieties.
- Data & Decision-Making: Confident using data to plan stock flow, manage room utilisation, and minimise waste while maximising shelf life.
- Leadership & Standards: Clear communicator capable of mentoring staff and upholding strict food safety, BRC, and H&S standards.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £35,000
- Opportunity to work in a newly invested, modern facility
- Long-term career development within a stable, growing industry sector
