Product Manager - Fresh Produce - Hertfordshire

One of the largest growers and suppliers of fresh produce in the UK, is seeking a Product Manager to link the technical needs throughout planning, propagators/growers (UK and Spain) and marketing.

With over 60 years of heritage, this fresh produce business stands at the top of its sector. It has built a reputation for supplying the best quality produce to major retailers by sourcing new seasonal products/varieties on a yearly basis to ensure customer engagement remains at the forefront of their business plan.  

To be a successful Product Manager you will have the following skills and experience:

• Knowledge of Fresh Produce
• Understanding of all aspects of product flow, from growing through to customer delivery
• A basic knowledge of food safety, pesticide and hygiene legislation
• Knowledge of growing systems and management techniques such as HACCP, BRC, GLOBAL GAP.
• Experience with a company supplying a major retailer within the Fresh Produce sector

As the Product Manager, your duties will be to:

• Provide technical and agronomic support to international propagator and growers to assist in their compliance to customer quality requirements.  
• Be the technical link with planning teams, propagators, growers and marketing desks.
• Hold responsibility for the development of new varieties and products to the market place.  
• Manage yearly propagation needs to ensure a constant supply of products. 
• Develop and manage forecasting models of nursery and fruit to ensure weekly availability leading to forecasting on a 4 week cycle.
• Coordinate trials and display results in a way that delivers improvements year on year. 
• Visit propagators and growers (throughout Europe) as necessary.
• Troubleshoot any supplier/customer issues and resolve as necessary.
• Support growers to improve quality and yield of plants throughout the year. 
• To comply with all legal and statutory obligations applicable to the role.
• Administer and implement working practices, risk management, monitoring and enforcement policies in order to secure intellectual property.
• Conduct audits to evidence the compliance to contracts, procedures and adherence to minimum standards.
• Support company initiatives and demonstrate company values at all times.

The successful Product Manager will be rewarded with a salary of between £47,000 - £55,000 plus a car allowance.