Product Evaluation Assistant

Product Evaluation Assistant Fresh People are recruiting for a Product Evaluation Assistant on behalf of a leading fresh produce business based in Maidstone. The role sits within the Technical team and blends hands-on varietal testing with clear, data-led reporting to support commercial decisions. The Role The Product Evaluation Assistant will: Coordinate regular product sampling and panel testing with the external lab partner. Work with growers, breeders and internal stakeholders to collate new and existing varietal samples. Schedule and organise sample shipments to the lab and attend selected panels to ensure SOP compliance and objectivity. Measure Brix and Brixacid ratios (refractometer) and log results in the Product Evaluation database. Create and maintain SOPs for each product type (handling, timings, packaging, results sharing). Upload panel outcomes, ensuring accurate, consistent, and reportable data. Produce weekly reports for key stakeholders; support weekly benchmarking and a berry market overview. Analyse results to produce a seasonal varietal performance review and recommend tiering changes. Complete end-of-season reviews per product type and manage product preparation for benchmarking and ad-hoc sample requests. Conduct trial work as required and run regular evaluation sessions with a market research company, tracking service levels and improvements. Support the implementation and continuous development of Business Objects/BI tools. Visit suppliers and breeders to review varietal performance and capture evaluation data. Qualifications and Experience Experience in fresh produce or food industry roles covering QC/QA, sensory, shelf-life or lab testing. Comfortable with sample coordination, panel logistics and Brix/refractometer measurements. Strong Excel skills with confidence in data entry, cleaning and routine analysis; clear written reporting. Proven ability to write/maintain SOPs and follow structured test methods. Effective communicator able to liaise with labs, growers and internal technical/commercial teams. Highly organised, accurate and deadline-focused with strong attention to detail. Desirable Power BI (or similar) for dashboards and simple data visualisation. Sensory/panel experience (e.g., IFST foundation/intermediate) and/or berry category exposure. Experience working with Business Objects or comparable BI/reporting tools. Degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Horticulture, Agronomy or related discipline. Personal Attributes Proactive, well-organised and curious about varietal development and consumer preferences. Data-minded with interest in trend detection and season-long performance tracking. Clear communicator who can present concise insights and follow through on actions. To express your interest please send your CV via this job application link. TPBN1_UKTJ

Created: 2025-10-12