Job Description

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About The Role

Join Our Dynamic

Technical Team

at

IPL & Asda!

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Senior Manager - Technical (Produce) to become a vital part of our onsite

Technical Team

here at our IPL Normanton Head Office and Asda House based in Leeds. If you are passionate about Food Safety, Quality. Brand Integrity and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, this role is perfect for you!

Position Details

Schedule

: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Location:

IPL Normanton, with travel between Asda House and other IPL Group sites as well as 3rd party suppliers

Contract Type:

Permanent

Your key responsibilities will include:

Leading the Technical and Quality teams across the UK and Spain to deliver Asda Products that are safe and legal and of the expected quality, protecting the ASDA brand for our customers and shareholders. Ensure all applicable legislation related to Food safety and Legality are being followed across the teams and sites (IPL and 3rd party) Accountable for Certification and accreditation where applicable to product. Consistent standards applied across the business unit with shared learnings and ways of working across the team and sites/suppliers. Support the NPD (ASDA Brand) team in their development of Prepared Produce ranges, offering skills and knowledge for the development of stretching quality attributes. Working with the experts for Produce packaging ensuring customer messages are clear, concise and drive ASDA quality provenance credentials. Forward thinking on varietal development from the Spanish country offices for newness, quality and resistance. Engage ASDA brand team to ensure brand guidelines can be practically implemented within Produce Creating a positive culture where technical colleagues thrive on finding the balance between quality and price and therefore being the first choice for our customers. Positively promote great supplier relationships with those supplying direct to ASDA, where IPL technical teams are considered an integral part of the procurement decision and thus are at the forefront of suppliers' minds when developing and producing products and agronomic practices. Lead relationships with external stakeholders who engage ASDA such as DEFRA, DAERA, Plant Health teams (managing the relationship with Horticultural Marketing Inspector Teams is a key external contact) EHO's. Support ASDA on any regulatory requirements, finding practical ways to support implementation. Leading technical initiatives with the ASDA supply chain and retail landscape ensuring any initiatives around depot or store operations are approached through a quality lens. Responsible for accurate KPI reporting, including correct identification of trends. Representing Asda externally with the relevant industry bodies, influencing change to benefit Asda/industry/customer. Drive a culture where continuous improvement in product quality is our mantra, delivering robust and time-bound quality plans agreed with retail buying team for underperforming areas, based on efficient use of customer satisfaction data. Driving continuous program of benchmarking to develop the best products and promote procurement of the best varieties to meet the business requirements of the brand tiers and range. Ensure due diligence system /processes are in place and effective delivering real time notifications of non-compliance for all suppliers that supply ASDA directly Monitoring emerging Produce food safety trends and compliance risks (particularly in Prepared Produce), identifying solutions and recommended process improvements. Driving a 3-year continuous quality plan through best-in-class retail specifications for all Asda Brand produce, driving quality standards with suppliers (including IPL), and the growers beneath them. Driving a leadership culture within the business and supply base that positively promotes and encourages colleagues to always do the right thing in terms of food safety legality and quality. Overall responsibility for compliance with ASDA policies, across IPL sites and 3rd party suppliers.

What are we looking for?

Food Safety Level 4 VACCP/TACCP Lead Auditor Training BRCGS standards Training Extensive experience in Fresh Produce technical and quality assurance supply chains required, relevant technical qualification in food science and or agriculture desired. HACCP Level 4 Retailer (Asda) standards knowledge would be preferable Experience of auditing manufacturing/production facilities required. Food safety risk management, quality management and brand reputation protection awareness are required. Understanding of ethical standards such as those covered in Smeta audits, along with experience engaging the ETI and/or other relevant NGO's is desirable. Proven Leadership of Technical, NPD and Quality functions in relation to Fresh Produce. Awareness of sustainability initiatives in relation to growing fresh produce is desirable.

What's in it for you?

At

IPL, Forza, and Kober, we're dynamic businesses, dedicated to fostering the development of our colleagues and creating an exceptional work environment. We believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration to drive our success. To continue our growth, we're seeking individuals who embody our values, culture, and commitment.



In return, we offer opportunities for professional development, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, including:


15% Asda In-store Discount Annual Bonus Scheme 33 days Annual Leave - Inclusive of 8 days bank holiday Enhanced pension scheme ? Life Assurance - All our colleagues benefit from life assurance of 4 x their annual base salary Help@hand - Free, direct access to health and wellbeing support service, including unlimited video consultations with a UK-based GP 24/7, physiotherapy, and mental health support Grocery Aid - We've partnered with Grocery Aid to provide our colleagues and their families with a wide range of emotional, practical, and financial support services Electric Vehicle Scheme
Asda Mobile Discount - 30% off a wide range of Asda Mobile bundles and add-ons for our colleagues and one of their family members Discounted health assessments - We have exclusively negotiated rates on Self-Pay BUPA Health Assessments for you and members of your household Asda Pet Insurance discount - Up to 10% Discount Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) - MAB can provide fee-free, no-obligation mortgage and protection advice
Exclusive Exchange Rates via Asda Money - our colleagues can get a better exchange rate for their travel money when buying currency through Asda Travel Money (TravelEx) Ride-to-work scheme - We work with Evans to provide our colleagues with great savings across their range of bikes, clothing, and equipment
?+ ? Care Concierge - The Care Experts. Talk to us - we're listening - Legal & General's Care Concierge resource

Plus, lots more! Depending on job band, other fantastic benefits are also available including private healthcare, car allowances, and long-term incentive schemes.

Like what you've read? Then do your research, update your CV, and once you're ready, hit the apply button. Don't delay, apply today!

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About Us

Our

purpose

here at

IPL, Forza & Kober is simple, we are one team who creates exceptional value for our customers and our

mission

is to support

Asda

on their journey to becoming #2 in the marketplace.



Through our people we live and breathe our

values

and we play to our strengths, but we also support each other's development. We are a community of passionate individuals who possess a wide variety of skills and expertise, who work collectively to form a high performing team and a company to be proud of.



We are committed to a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers, locations and the communities we serve. We recognise 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.

Our culture is our people and our people are our culture!