Food Technologist - Produce

About The Role

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.

• 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 the supply base and stores, applicants must hold a full driving licence, passport, and have access to their own vehicle.

• 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 for suppliers, sites and specifications using internal and external platforms.
• Act as the Category technical representative for site audits, support traceability challenges, and ensure full closure of non‑conformities and corrective actions.
• Manage specification amendments, publish to all stakeholders and compile data reports as requested.
• Manage benchmarking sessions, including competitor shopping, and report results to key stakeholders.
• Provide a weekly CPMU business update.
• Provide feedback to suppliers on technical and quality performance.
• Produce weekly crop reports and data, collated and published to key stakeholders.
• Monitor and record supplier responses to inbound reds, ensuring 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 third‑party suppliers.
• Raise purchase orders and receive invoices as required.
• Manage and communicate government (HSE, APHA, etc.) correspondence to key stakeholders.

• Relevant qualifications in agriculture, food or science.
• Relevant experience in fresh produce or experience in retail technical roles is an advantage.
• Experience or qualifications in sensory evaluation.
• Logical, evidence‑led thinking and data analysis skills.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office – Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Ability to problem‑solve with confidence in decision making.
• Strong analysis, judgment and concise report‑writing skills.
• Fluency in Spanish would be an advantage.

• 15% Asda In‑store Discount
• Paid annual leave allowance – varies depending on shift pattern.
• Enhanced pension scheme.
• Life assurance – 4× annual base salary.
• Help@hand – free direct access to health and wellbeing support service (video GP, physiotherapy, mental health).
• Grocery Aid support services for colleagues and families.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• Asda Mobile discount – 30% off selected bundles and add‑ons for you and one family member.
• Discounted health assessments – self‑pay BUPA rates for you and household members.
• Asda pet insurance discount – up to 10%.
• Mortgage advice bureau – fee‑free, no‑obligation mortgage and protection advice.
• Exclusive exchange rates via Asda Money.
• Ride‑to‑work scheme – savings on bikes, clothing and equipment.
• Care Concierge services.
• Other benefits may include private healthcare, car allowances and long‑term incentive schemes, depending on job band.

We are committed to a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers, locations and the communities we serve. We recognize the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, gender or sexual identity and socio‑economic background. We are committed to making IPL, Forza and Kober a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues.

We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values, culture and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

If you are interested, please apply today.