Location: Dartford, Kent
Department: Quality & Ripening
Reports to: Quality & Ripening Manager
Role Overview
We are recruiting for a Quality & Ripening Controller to join a well-established fresh produce business based in Dartford.
The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing, monitoring, and reporting on product quality throughout the full operational journey, from intake and ripening through to production and dispatch. The role will also support the effective management of ripening programmes, stock rotation, product trials, and packhouse quality standards.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous fresh produce quality experience who is looking to develop their technical knowledge within a fast-paced operational environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Carry out product quality checks at intake, during ripening, throughout production, and at dispatch.
- Monitor and manage ripening regimes to ensure product meets the required quality specifications.
- Report performance against defined quality and technical KPIs.
- Complete shelf-life assessments and accelerated ripening trials, accurately recording and reporting the results.
- Review and highlight quality performance at grower and supplier level.
- Provide guidance and support to the packhouse teams on product handling, quality management, and best practice.
- Assist with stock reassessments to help maximise product returns through appropriate rotation and usage.
- Support the effective management of stock to minimise waste and maintain product quality.
- Carry out equipment calibration checks.
- Assist with technical ripening trials and other continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Prepare customer samples and product analysis samples when required.
- Maintain accurate records and complete quality-related reporting.
- Carry out additional duties as required by the Quality & Ripening Manager.
Essential Requirements
- A minimum of one year’s experience within a fresh produce quality, technical, or product-assessment role.
- A good understanding of fresh produce quality standards and product handling.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to complete checks accurately and consistently.
- Good problem-solving skills with the ability to identify quality issues and support effective resolutions.
- The ability to work with a sense of urgency while managing competing priorities and tight schedules.
- Confident communication skills, with the ability to adapt your approach when working with different teams and stakeholders.
- Basic computer skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and complete reports.
- A collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience working with ripening programmes or ripened products.
- Experience completing shelf-life assessments, quality trials, or product reassessments.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 or a similar operational system.
- Experience working within a fresh produce packhouse, import, or distribution environment.
Key Skills
- Fresh produce quality assessment
- Ripening management
- Product inspection and reporting
- Shelf-life trials
- Stock reassessment and rotation
- Grower and supplier performance monitoring
- Packhouse support
- Equipment calibration
- Technical trial support
- Accurate record keeping
- Problem solving
- Team collaboration
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be thorough, reliable, and comfortable making decisions in a fast-moving environment. You will have a proactive approach to quality, take pride in completing tasks correctly the first time, and work well with colleagues across quality, technical, production, and operational teams.
