diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/ajax_search_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/ajax_search_controller.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..108037873f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/ajax_search_controller.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+module Admin
+  class AjaxSearchController < Spree::Admin::BaseController
+    def producers
+      query = OpenFoodNetwork::Permissions.new(spree_current_user)
+        .managed_product_enterprises.is_primary_producer.by_name
+
+      render json: build_search_response(query)
+    end
+
+    def categories
+      query = Spree::Taxon.all
+
+      render json: build_search_response(query)
+    end
+
+    def tax_categories
+      query = Spree::TaxCategory.all
+
+      render json: build_search_response(query)
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def build_search_response(query)
+      page = (params[:page] || 1).to_i
+      per_page = 30
+
+      filtered_query = apply_search_filter(query)
+      total_count = filtered_query.size
+      items = paginated_items(filtered_query, page, per_page)
+      results = format_results(items)
+
+      { results: results, pagination: { more: (page * per_page) < total_count } }
+    end
+
+    def apply_search_filter(query)
+      search_term = params[:q]
+      return query if search_term.blank?
+
+      escaped_search_term = ActiveRecord::Base.sanitize_sql_like(search_term)
+      pattern = "%#{escaped_search_term}%"
+
+      query.where('name ILIKE ?', pattern)
+    end
+
+    def paginated_items(query, page, per_page)
+      query.order(:name).offset((page - 1) * per_page).limit(per_page).pluck(:name, :id)
+    end
+
+    def format_results(items)
+      items.map { |label, value| { value:, label: } }
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/app/helpers/admin/products_helper.rb b/app/helpers/admin/products_helper.rb
index 8b07a650d9..1b10ea9330 100644
--- a/app/helpers/admin/products_helper.rb
+++ b/app/helpers/admin/products_helper.rb
@@ -52,5 +52,15 @@ module Admin
       @allowed_source_producers ||= OpenFoodNetwork::Permissions.new(spree_current_user)
         .enterprises_granting_linked_variants
     end
+
+    # Query only name of the model to avoid loading the whole record
+    def selected_option(id, model)
+      return [] unless id
+
+      name = model.where(id: id).pick(:name)
+      return [] unless name
+
+      [[name, id]]
+    end
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/models/spree/ability.rb b/app/models/spree/ability.rb
index f94e511337..e6f797fe45 100644
--- a/app/models/spree/ability.rb
+++ b/app/models/spree/ability.rb
@@ -225,9 +225,17 @@ module Spree
         OpenFoodNetwork::Permissions.new(user).
           enterprises_granting_linked_variants.include? variant.supplier
       end
+      can [
+        :admin,
+        :index,
+        :bulk_update,
+        :destroy,
+        :destroy_variant,
+        :clone,
+        :create_linked_variant
+      ], :products_v3
 
-      can [:admin, :index, :bulk_update, :destroy, :destroy_variant, :clone,
-           :create_linked_variant], :products_v3
+      can [:admin, :producers, :categories, :tax_categories], :ajax_search
 
       can [:create], Spree::Variant
       can [:admin, :index, :read, :edit,
diff --git a/app/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml b/app/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml
index 68e0c88ebb..96ace78b82 100644
--- a/app/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml
@@ -9,14 +9,22 @@
   - if producer_options.many?
     .producers
       = label_tag :producer_id, t('.producers.label')
-      = select_tag :producer_id, options_for_select(producer_options, producer_id),
-        include_blank: t('.all_producers'), class: "fullwidth",
-        data: { "controller": "tom-select", 'tom-select-placeholder-value': t('.search_for_producers')}
+      = render(SearchableDropdownComponent.new(name: :producer_id,
+        aria_label: t('.producers.label'),
+        options: selected_option(producer_id, Enterprise),
+        selected_option: producer_id,
+        remote_url: admin_ajax_search_producers_url,
+        include_blank: t('.all_producers'),
+        placeholder_value: t('.search_for_producers')))
   .categories
     = label_tag :category_id, t('.categories.label')
-    = select_tag :category_id, options_for_select(category_options, category_id),
-      include_blank: t('.all_categories'), class: "fullwidth",
-      data: { "controller": "tom-select", 'tom-select-placeholder-value': t('.search_for_categories')}
+    = render(SearchableDropdownComponent.new(name: :category_id,
+        aria_label: t('.categories.label'),
+        options: selected_option(category_id, Spree::Taxon),
+        selected_option: category_id,
+        remote_url: admin_ajax_search_categories_url,
+        include_blank: t('.all_categories'),
+        placeholder_value: t('.search_for_categories')))
   -if variant_tag_enabled?(spree_current_user)
     .tags
       = label_tag :tags_name_in, t('.tags.label')
diff --git a/app/views/admin/products_v3/_variant_row.html.haml b/app/views/admin/products_v3/_variant_row.html.haml
index cd9e8ae6ee..139e2bef7f 100644
--- a/app/views/admin/products_v3/_variant_row.html.haml
+++ b/app/views/admin/products_v3/_variant_row.html.haml
@@ -59,27 +59,28 @@
   = render(SearchableDropdownComponent.new(form: f,
       name: :supplier_id,
       aria_label: t('.producer_field_name'),
-      options: producer_options,
+      options: variant.supplier_id ? [[variant.supplier.name, variant.supplier_id]] : [],
       selected_option: variant.supplier_id,
-      include_blank: t('admin.products_v3.filters.select_producer'),
+      remote_url: admin_ajax_search_producers_url,
       placeholder_value: t('admin.products_v3.filters.select_producer')))
   = error_message_on variant, :supplier
 %td.col-category.field.naked_inputs
   = render(SearchableDropdownComponent.new(form: f,
       name: :primary_taxon_id,
-      options: category_options,
+      options: variant.primary_taxon_id ? [[variant.primary_taxon.name, variant.primary_taxon_id]] : [],
       selected_option: variant.primary_taxon_id,
       aria_label: t('.category_field_name'),
-      include_blank: t('admin.products_v3.filters.select_category'),
+      remote_url: admin_ajax_search_categories_url,
       placeholder_value: t('admin.products_v3.filters.select_category')))
   = error_message_on variant, :primary_taxon
 %td.col-tax_category.field.naked_inputs
   = render(SearchableDropdownComponent.new(form: f,
       name: :tax_category_id,
-      options: tax_category_options,
+      options: variant.tax_category_id ? [[variant.tax_category.name, variant.tax_category_id]] : [],
       selected_option: variant.tax_category_id,
-      include_blank: t('.none_tax_category'),
       aria_label: t('.tax_category_field_name'),
+      include_blank: t('.none_tax_category'),
+      remote_url: admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_url,
       placeholder_value: t('.search_for_tax_categories')))
   = error_message_on variant, :tax_category
 - if variant_tag_enabled?(spree_current_user)
diff --git a/app/webpacker/controllers/tom_select_controller.js b/app/webpacker/controllers/tom_select_controller.js
index 3867fa3380..203f3ce2b2 100644
--- a/app/webpacker/controllers/tom_select_controller.js
+++ b/app/webpacker/controllers/tom_select_controller.js
@@ -83,6 +83,9 @@ export default class extends Controller {
   }
 
   #addRemoteOptions(options) {
+    // by default, for dropdown_input plugin, it's true. Otherwise for multi-select it's false
+    // it should always be true so to invoke the onDropdownOpen to fetch options
+    options.shouldOpen = true;
     this.openedByClick = false;
 
     options.firstUrl = (query) => {
@@ -91,12 +94,9 @@ export default class extends Controller {
 
     options.load = this.#fetchOptions.bind(this);
 
-    options.onFocus = function () {
-      this.control.load("", () => {});
-    }.bind(this);
-
     options.onDropdownOpen = function () {
       this.openedByClick = true;
+      this.control.load("", () => {});
     }.bind(this);
 
     options.onType = function () {
diff --git a/config/routes/admin.rb b/config/routes/admin.rb
index 33553f5a51..dd46ab70c0 100644
--- a/config/routes/admin.rb
+++ b/config/routes/admin.rb
@@ -83,6 +83,13 @@ Openfoodnetwork::Application.routes.draw do
     delete 'products_v3/destroy_variant/:id', to: 'products_v3#destroy_variant', as: 'destroy_variant'
     post 'clone/:id', to: 'products_v3#clone', as: 'clone_product'
     post 'products/create_linked_variant', to: 'products_v3#create_linked_variant', as: 'create_linked_variant'
+
+    scope :ajax_search, as: :ajax_search, controller: :ajax_search do
+      get :producers
+      get :categories
+      get :tax_categories
+    end
+
     resources :product_preview, only: [:show]
 
     resources :variant_overrides do
diff --git a/spec/javascripts/stimulus/tom_select_controller_test.js b/spec/javascripts/stimulus/tom_select_controller_test.js
index 4f4705e222..c1293e2eb2 100644
--- a/spec/javascripts/stimulus/tom_select_controller_test.js
+++ b/spec/javascripts/stimulus/tom_select_controller_test.js
@@ -166,7 +166,6 @@ describe("TomSelectController", () => {
       expect(settings.searchField).toBe("label");
       expect(settings.load).toEqual(expect.any(Function));
       expect(settings.firstUrl).toEqual(expect.any(Function));
-      expect(settings.onFocus).toEqual(expect.any(Function));
     });
 
     it("fetches page 1 on focus", async () => {
diff --git a/spec/requests/admin/ajax_search_spec.rb b/spec/requests/admin/ajax_search_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..154ec84728
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/requests/admin/ajax_search_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,285 @@
+# frozen_string_literal: true
+
+RSpec.describe "/admin/ajax_search" do
+  include AuthenticationHelper
+
+  let(:admin_user) { create(:admin_user) }
+  let(:regular_user) { create(:user) }
+
+  describe "GET /admin/ajax_search/producers" do
+    context "when user is not logged in" do
+      it "redirects to login" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path
+
+        expect(response).to redirect_to %r|#/login$|
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user is logged in without permissions" do
+      before { login_as regular_user }
+
+      it "redirects to unauthorized" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path
+
+        expect(response).to redirect_to('/unauthorized')
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user is an admin" do
+      before { login_as admin_user }
+
+      let!(:producer1) { create(:supplier_enterprise, name: "Apple Farm") }
+      let!(:producer2) { create(:supplier_enterprise, name: "Berry Farm") }
+      let!(:producer3) { create(:supplier_enterprise, name: "Cherry Orchard") }
+      let!(:distributor) { create(:distributor_enterprise, name: "Distributor") }
+
+      it "returns producers sorted alphabetically by name" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path
+
+        expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Apple Farm', 'Berry Farm',
+                                                               'Cherry Orchard'])
+        expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be false
+      end
+
+      it "filters producers by search query" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path, params: { q: "berry" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Berry Farm'])
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("value")).to eq([producer2.id])
+      end
+
+      it "filters are case insensitive" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path, params: { q: "BERRY" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Berry Farm'])
+      end
+
+      it "filters with partial matches" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path, params: { q: "Farm" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Apple Farm', 'Berry Farm'])
+      end
+
+      it "excludes non-producer enterprises" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).not_to include('Distributor')
+      end
+
+      context "with more than 30 producers" do
+        before do
+          create_list(:supplier_enterprise, 35) do |enterprise, i|
+            enterprise.update!(name: "Producer #{(i + 1).to_s.rjust(2, '0')}")
+          end
+        end
+
+        it "returns first page with 30 results and more flag as true" do
+          get admin_ajax_search_producers_path, params: { page: 1 }
+
+          json_response = response.parsed_body
+          expect(json_response["results"].length).to eq(30)
+          expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be true
+        end
+
+        it "returns remaining results on second page with more flag as false" do
+          get admin_ajax_search_producers_path, params: { page: 2 }
+
+          json_response = response.parsed_body
+          expect(json_response["results"].length).to eq(8)
+          expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be false
+        end
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user has enterprise permissions" do
+      let!(:my_producer) { create(:supplier_enterprise, name: "My Producer") }
+      let!(:other_producer) { create(:supplier_enterprise, name: "Other Producer") }
+      let(:user_with_producer) { create(:user, enterprises: [my_producer]) }
+
+      before { login_as user_with_producer }
+
+      it "returns only managed producers" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_producers_path
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['My Producer'])
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).not_to include('Other Producer')
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "GET /admin/ajax_search/categories" do
+    context "when user is not logged in" do
+      it "redirects to login" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_categories_path
+
+        expect(response).to redirect_to %r|#/login$|
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user is logged in without permissions" do
+      before { login_as regular_user }
+
+      it "redirects to unauthorized" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_categories_path
+
+        expect(response).to redirect_to('/unauthorized')
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user is an admin" do
+      before { login_as admin_user }
+
+      let!(:category1) { create(:taxon, name: "Vegetables") }
+      let!(:category2) { create(:taxon, name: "Fruits") }
+      let!(:category3) { create(:taxon, name: "Dairy") }
+
+      it "returns categories sorted alphabetically by name" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_categories_path
+
+        expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Dairy', 'Fruits', 'Vegetables'])
+        expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be false
+      end
+
+      it "filters categories by search query" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_categories_path, params: { q: "fruit" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Fruits'])
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("value")).to eq([category2.id])
+      end
+
+      it "filters are case insensitive" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_categories_path, params: { q: "VEGETABLES" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Vegetables'])
+      end
+
+      it "filters with partial matches" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_categories_path, params: { q: "ege" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['Vegetables'])
+      end
+
+      context "with more than 30 categories" do
+        before do
+          create_list(:taxon, 35) do |taxon, i|
+            taxon.update!(name: "Category #{(i + 1).to_s.rjust(2, '0')}")
+          end
+        end
+
+        it "returns first page with 30 results and more flag as true" do
+          get admin_ajax_search_categories_path, params: { page: 1 }
+
+          json_response = response.parsed_body
+          expect(json_response["results"].length).to eq(30)
+          expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be true
+        end
+
+        it "returns remaining results on second page with more flag as false" do
+          get admin_ajax_search_categories_path, params: { page: 2 }
+
+          json_response = response.parsed_body
+          expect(json_response["results"].length).to eq(8)
+          expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be false
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  describe "GET /admin/ajax_search/tax_categories" do
+    context "when user is not logged in" do
+      it "redirects to login" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path
+
+        expect(response).to redirect_to %r|#/login$|
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user is logged in without permissions" do
+      before { login_as regular_user }
+
+      it "redirects to unauthorized" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path
+
+        expect(response).to redirect_to('/unauthorized')
+      end
+    end
+
+    context "when user is an admin" do
+      before { login_as admin_user }
+
+      let!(:tax_cat1) { create(:tax_category, name: "GST") }
+      let!(:tax_cat2) { create(:tax_category, name: "VAT") }
+      let!(:tax_cat3) { create(:tax_category, name: "No Tax") }
+
+      it "returns tax categories sorted alphabetically by name" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path
+
+        expect(response).to have_http_status(:ok)
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['GST', 'No Tax', 'VAT'])
+        expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be false
+      end
+
+      it "filters tax categories by search query" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path, params: { q: "vat" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['VAT'])
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("value")).to eq([tax_cat2.id])
+      end
+
+      it "filters are case insensitive" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path, params: { q: "GST" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['GST'])
+      end
+
+      it "filters with partial matches" do
+        get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path, params: { q: "tax" }
+
+        json_response = response.parsed_body
+        expect(json_response["results"].pluck("label")).to eq(['No Tax'])
+      end
+
+      context "with more than 30 tax categories" do
+        before do
+          create_list(:tax_category, 35) do |tax_cat, i|
+            tax_cat.update!(name: "Tax Category #{(i + 1).to_s.rjust(2, '0')}")
+          end
+        end
+
+        it "returns first page with 30 results and more flag as true" do
+          get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path, params: { page: 1 }
+
+          json_response = response.parsed_body
+          expect(json_response["results"].length).to eq(30)
+          expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be true
+        end
+
+        it "returns remaining results on second page with more flag as false" do
+          get admin_ajax_search_tax_categories_path, params: { page: 2 }
+
+          json_response = response.parsed_body
+          expect(json_response["results"].length).to eq(8)
+          expect(json_response["pagination"]["more"]).to be false
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/support/tom_select_helper.rb b/spec/support/tom_select_helper.rb
index 34a0179d98..957f65f7f2 100644
--- a/spec/support/tom_select_helper.rb
+++ b/spec/support/tom_select_helper.rb
@@ -19,12 +19,25 @@ module TomSelectHelper
     tomselect_wrapper.find(:css, '.ts-dropdown div.create').click
   end
 
+  # Searches for and selects an option in a TomSelect dropdown with search functionality.
+  # @param value [String] The text to search for and select from the dropdown
+  # @param options [Hash] Configuration options
+  # @option options [String] :from The name/id of the select field
+  # @option options [Boolean] :remote_search If true, waits for search loading after interactions
+  #
+  # @example
+  #   tomselect_search_and_select("Apple", from: "fruit_selector")
+  #   tomselect_search_and_select("California", from: "state", remote_search: true)
   def tomselect_search_and_select(value, options)
     tomselect_wrapper = page.find_field(options[:from]).sibling(".ts-wrapper")
     tomselect_wrapper.find(".ts-control").click
+    expect_tomselect_loading_completion(tomselect_wrapper, options)
+
     # Use send_keys as setting the value directly doesn't trigger the search
     tomselect_wrapper.find(".ts-dropdown input.dropdown-input").send_keys(value)
-    tomselect_wrapper.find(".ts-dropdown .ts-dropdown-content .option.active", text: value).click
+    expect_tomselect_loading_completion(tomselect_wrapper, options)
+
+    tomselect_wrapper.find(".ts-dropdown .ts-dropdown-content .option", text: value).click
   end
 
   def tomselect_select(value, options)
@@ -64,4 +77,52 @@ module TomSelectHelper
       end
     end
   end
+
+  # Validates both available options and selected options in a TomSelect dropdown.
+  # @param from [String] The name/id of the select field
+  # @param existing_options [Array<String>] List of options that should be available in the dropdown
+  # @param selected_options [Array<String>] List of options that should currently be selected
+  #
+  # @example
+  #   expect_tomselect_existing_with_selected_options(
+  #     from: "category_selector",
+  #     existing_options: ["Fruit", "Vegetables", "Dairy"],
+  #     selected_options: ["Fruit"]
+  #   )
+  def expect_tomselect_existing_with_selected_options(from:, existing_options:, selected_options:)
+    tomselect_wrapper = page.find_field(from).sibling(".ts-wrapper")
+    tomselect_control = tomselect_wrapper.find('.ts-control')
+
+    tomselect_control.click # open the dropdown (would work for remote vs non-remote dropdowns)
+
+    # validate existing options are present in the dropdown
+    within(tomselect_wrapper) do
+      existing_options.each do |option|
+        expect(page).to have_css(
+          ".ts-dropdown .ts-dropdown-content .option",
+          text: option
+        )
+      end
+    end
+
+    # validate selected options are selected in the dropdown
+    within(tomselect_wrapper) do
+      selected_options.each do |option|
+        expect(page).to have_css(
+          "div[data-ts-item]",
+          text: option
+        )
+      end
+    end
+
+    # close the dropdown by clicking on the already selected option
+    tomselect_wrapper.find(".ts-dropdown .ts-dropdown-content .option.active").click
+  end
+
+  def expect_tomselect_loading_completion(tomselect_wrapper, options)
+    return unless options[:remote_search]
+
+    expect(tomselect_wrapper).to have_css(".spinner")
+    expect(tomselect_wrapper).not_to have_css(".spinner")
+  end
 end
diff --git a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/actions_spec.rb b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/actions_spec.rb
index 16650bd588..897775990a 100644
--- a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/actions_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/actions_spec.rb
@@ -15,10 +15,6 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can perform actions on the products scr
     login_as user
   end
 
-  let(:producer_search_selector) { 'input[placeholder="Select producer"]' }
-  let(:categories_search_selector) { 'input[placeholder="Select category"]' }
-  let(:tax_categories_search_selector) { 'input[placeholder="Search for tax categories"]' }
-
   describe "column selector" do
     let!(:product) { create(:simple_product) }
 
@@ -102,54 +98,7 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can perform actions on the products scr
     }
     let!(:product_a) { create(:simple_product, name: "Apples", sku: "APL-00") }
 
-    context "when they are under 11" do
-      before do
-        create_list(:supplier_enterprise, 9, users: [user])
-        create_list(:tax_category, 9)
-        create_list(:taxon, 2)
-
-        visit admin_products_url
-      end
-
-      it "should not display search input, change the producers, category and tax category" do
-        producer_to_select = random_producer(variant_a1)
-        category_to_select = random_category(variant_a1)
-        tax_category_to_select = random_tax_category
-
-        within row_containing_name(variant_a1.display_name) do
-          validate_tomselect_without_search!(
-            page, "Producer",
-            producer_search_selector
-          )
-          tomselect_select(producer_to_select, from: "Producer")
-        end
-
-        within row_containing_name(variant_a1.display_name) do
-          validate_tomselect_without_search!(
-            page, "Category",
-            categories_search_selector
-          )
-          tomselect_select(category_to_select, from: "Category")
-
-          validate_tomselect_without_search!(
-            page, "Tax Category",
-            tax_categories_search_selector
-          )
-          tomselect_select(tax_category_to_select, from: "Tax Category")
-        end
-
-        click_button "Save changes"
-
-        expect(page).to have_content "Changes saved"
-
-        variant_a1.reload
-        expect(variant_a1.supplier.name).to eq(producer_to_select)
-        expect(variant_a1.primary_taxon.name).to eq(category_to_select)
-        expect(variant_a1.tax_category.name).to eq(tax_category_to_select)
-      end
-    end
-
-    context "when they are over 11" do
+    context "when there are products" do
       before do
         create_list(:supplier_enterprise, 11, users: [user])
         create_list(:tax_category, 11)
@@ -167,9 +116,13 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can perform actions on the products scr
         tax_category_to_select = random_tax_category
 
         within row_containing_name(variant_a1.display_name) do
-          tomselect_search_and_select(producer_to_select, from: "Producer")
-          tomselect_search_and_select(category_to_select, from: "Category")
-          tomselect_search_and_select(tax_category_to_select, from: "Tax Category")
+          tomselect_search_and_select(producer_to_select, from: "Producer", remote_search: true)
+          tomselect_search_and_select(category_to_select, from: "Category", remote_search: true)
+          tomselect_search_and_select(
+            tax_category_to_select,
+            from: "Tax Category",
+            remote_search: true
+          )
         end
 
         click_button "Save changes"
diff --git a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/create_spec.rb b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/create_spec.rb
index 965d9f9e99..04f90abcaf 100644
--- a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/create_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/create_spec.rb
@@ -86,14 +86,14 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can manage my products' do
           find('button[aria-label="On Hand"]').click
           find('input[id$="_price"]').fill_in with: "11.1"
 
-          select supplier.name, from: 'Producer'
-          select taxon.name, from: 'Category'
-
           if stock == "on_hand"
             find('input[id$="_on_hand_desired"]').fill_in with: "66"
           elsif stock == "on_demand"
             find('input[id$="_on_demand_desired"]').check
           end
+
+          tomselect_select supplier.name, from: 'Producer'
+          tomselect_select taxon.name, from: 'Category'
         end
 
         expect(page).to have_content "1 product modified."
diff --git a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/index_spec.rb b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/index_spec.rb
index d943e5a1d3..d53a391e0c 100644
--- a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/index_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/index_spec.rb
@@ -106,13 +106,19 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can browse my products' do
             visit spree.admin_products_path
 
             within row_containing_name "Variant1" do
-              expect(page).to have_select "Producer", with_options: ["Producer A", "Producer B"],
-                                                      selected: "Producer A"
+              expect_tomselect_existing_with_selected_options(
+                from: 'Producer',
+                existing_options: ["Producer A", "Producer B"],
+                selected_options: ["Producer A"]
+              )
             end
 
             within row_containing_name "Variant2a" do
-              expect(page).to have_select "Producer", with_options: ["Producer A", "Producer B"],
-                                                      selected: "Producer B"
+              expect_tomselect_existing_with_selected_options(
+                from: 'Producer',
+                existing_options: ["Producer A", "Producer B"],
+                selected_options: ["Producer B"]
+              )
             end
           end
         end
@@ -543,24 +549,21 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can browse my products' do
 
     it "shows only suppliers that I manage or have permission to" do
       visit spree.admin_products_path
+      existing_options = [supplier_managed1.name, supplier_managed2.name, supplier_permitted.name]
 
       within row_containing_placeholder(product_supplied.name) do
-        expect(page).to have_select(
-          '_products_0_variants_attributes_0_supplier_id',
-          options: [
-            'Select producer',
-            supplier_managed1.name, supplier_managed2.name, supplier_permitted.name
-          ], selected: supplier_managed1.name
+        expect_tomselect_existing_with_selected_options(
+          existing_options:,
+          from: '_products_0_variants_attributes_0_supplier_id',
+          selected_options: [supplier_managed1.name]
         )
       end
 
       within row_containing_placeholder(product_supplied_permitted.name) do
-        expect(page).to have_select(
-          '_products_1_variants_attributes_0_supplier_id',
-          options: [
-            'Select producer',
-            supplier_managed1.name, supplier_managed2.name, supplier_permitted.name
-          ], selected: supplier_permitted.name
+        expect_tomselect_existing_with_selected_options(
+          existing_options:,
+          from: '_products_1_variants_attributes_0_supplier_id',
+          selected_options: [supplier_permitted.name]
         )
       end
     end
diff --git a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/update_spec.rb b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/update_spec.rb
index 0da94594f6..4ddeff1578 100644
--- a/spec/system/admin/products_v3/update_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/system/admin/products_v3/update_spec.rb
@@ -350,8 +350,8 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can update my products' do
           click_on "On Hand" # activate popout
           fill_in "On Hand", with: "3"
 
-          select producer.name, from: 'Producer'
-          select taxon.name, from: 'Category'
+          tomselect_select producer.name, from: 'Producer'
+          tomselect_select taxon.name, from: 'Category'
         end
 
         expect {
@@ -586,8 +586,8 @@ RSpec.describe 'As an enterprise user, I can update my products' do
             fill_in "Name", with: "Nice box"
             fill_in "SKU", with: "APL-02"
 
-            select producer.name, from: 'Producer'
-            select taxon.name, from: 'Category'
+            tomselect_select producer.name, from: 'Producer'
+            tomselect_select taxon.name, from: 'Category'
           end
 
           expect {
diff --git a/spec/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml_spec.rb b/spec/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml_spec.rb
index a6bcbfbca3..1b2ed5b697 100644
--- a/spec/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/views/admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml_spec.rb
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ RSpec.describe "admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml" do
   end
   let(:spree_current_user) { build(:enterprise_user) }
 
-  it "shows the producer filter when there are options" do
+  it "shows the producer filter with the default option initially" do
     allow(view).to receive_messages locals.merge(
       producer_options: [
         ["Ada's Apples", 1],
@@ -27,9 +27,7 @@ RSpec.describe "admin/products_v3/_filters.html.haml" do
 
     is_expected.to have_content "Producers"
     is_expected.to have_select "producer_id", options: [
-      "All producers",
-      "Ada's Apples",
-      "Ben's Bananas",
+      "All producers"
     ], selected: nil
   end