Produce Operations & Quality Manager South at ASDA | KeyStep

Job Description

Job Title Produce Operations & Quality Manager South

Location Asda House (Fieldbased)

Employment Type Full time

Contract Type Permanent

Hours Per Week 37.5

Salary

Competitive salary plus benefits

Category Compliance/Audit

Closing Date 18 August 2026

At Asda, we're transforming the way we buy and sell fresh produce, and we're looking for ambitious, commercially-minded Trading Managers to help lead that journey.

Produce is one of the most important categories in our business. Sitting at the heart of the weekly shop, it plays a critical role in shaping customers' perceptions of our food offer and is central to driving customer reappraisal of Asda.

The numbers speak for themselves

· 77% customer penetration, making Produce one of our most important categories.

· Customers who shop Produce visit Asda 4 times more often than those who don't.

· Produce customers spend twice as much per basket compared to non-Produce shoppers.

By converting more customers into Produce customers, we have a significant opportunity to drive frequency, loyalty and growth across the wider business.

This is where you come in.

As a Produce Trading Manager, you'll have true end-to-end ownership of your category. From understanding crop conditions in the field to creating market-leading trade plans in the office, you'll influence every stage of the journey from farm to shelf.

One day you'll be meeting growers and suppliers, discussing seasonality, quality and harvest forecasts. From negotiating costs and reviewing market trends to developing category strategy and launching customer-focused trade plans, you'll be at the heart of every decision.

No two days are the same. Few trading roles offer this level of ownership, variety and visibility across both the agricultural and retail sectors.

What You'll Be Responsible For

As a Produce Trading Manager, you'll lead the full product journey from source to store, delivering exceptional products and commercial performance.

Key responsibilities include

· Developing and executing category strategies that drive sales, profit, market share and customer loyalty.

· Building strong, collaborative relationships with growers, suppliers and industry partners.

· Negotiating costs, contracts and commercial agreements to deliver the best outcomes for customers and the business.

· Managing product specifications to ensure the highest standards of quality, consistency and value.

· Understanding crop performance, growing conditions, seasonality and market dynamics to inform buying decisions.

· Creating and delivering market-leading promotional and trade plans.

· Working closely with merchandising teams to optimise range, space and availability.

· Partnering with technical and supply chain teams to ensure a seamless journey from field to shelf.

· Identifying opportunities for innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement.

· Monitoring market, consumer and food trends to keep Asda at the forefront of fresh food retail.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for commercially driven individuals who are excited by the opportunity to make a real impact on one of Asda's most important categories.

You'll bring

· Proven commercial, buying, category management or related experience.

· A strong desire to learn, a curious mindset and the agility to spot emerging trends and opportunities.

· A proactive, action-oriented approach, with the energy and determination to turn ideas into results.

· Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.

· Strong analytical and decision-making capability.

· The ability to build credible relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

· A passion for delivering outstanding customer outcomes.

· Strong planning, organisation and prioritisation skills.

Experience within Produce is highly desirable but not essential. We welcome applications from talented commercial professionals who are eager to learn a new category and bring fresh thinking, energy and perspective to the team.

Why Asda?

This is a unique opportunity to build a career at the intersection of agriculture, manufacturing and retail.

You'll have the chance to

· Own decisions that directly impact millions of customers every week.

· Work closely with growers and suppliers across the UK and internationally.

· Gain unrivalled insight into every stage of the fresh produce supply chain.

· Shape category strategies from sourcing through to customer execution.

· Play a pivotal role in one of Asda's most important growth categories.

· Help redefine how customers see and experience Asda Food.

Join Us

If you're looking for a role where you can be in the fields with growers one day, negotiating commercial opportunities the next, and shaping the future of the Produce aisle the day after, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your commercial expertise. Grow your knowledge. Shape the future of Fresh at Asda.

Everything you'll love

To ensure we balance moments where we know we need to collaborate together and the need for flexibility, Asda has a hybrid way of working with a minimum 3 days a week in one of our Home Offices. Over and above this, each area of Asda may have additional requirements which may require spending more days in the office, visiting suppliers, stores or depots.

You will also get an excellent benefits package including

Discretionary company bonus

Company pension up to 7% matched

Company Car allowance of £5,700

15% colleague discount in store and online

Free access to wellbeing services such as Stream, 24/7 virtual GP, counselling, health and dental cash plans and a 24/7 employee assistance helpline, alongside discounts across a range of services and activities, from airport parking, enhanced to theme parks and cinemas.

Asda Allies Inclusion Networks – helping colleagues to make sure everybody is included and that our differences are recognised and celebrated

Excellent parental leave policies, including maternity & adoption leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, neonatal care leave, and support for those doing fertility treatments.

We want all colleagues to be able to bring their best and true selves to work, every day. Simply put, we want our colleagues to be Proud to be Asda and proud to be themselves

Produce Operations & Quality Manager South

Skills & Technologies