Junior Fresh Produce Officer

Job Purpose

To support the management of the Fresh Produce category by ensuring competitive sourcing, effective pricing, high product quality standards, and consistent availability across all stores. The role is responsible for supplier coordination, market monitoring, quality follow-up, and competitor benchmarking to drive sales growth and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Management & Negotiation

• Support negotiations with suppliers to secure the best commercial terms, pricing, and supply conditions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance in terms of quality, service levels, product availability, and delivery compliance.
• Identify and evaluate new suppliers to enhance competitiveness and sourcing opportunities.

Pricing & Commercial Performance

• Monitor daily purchase prices and market price movements.
• Recommend retail selling prices in line with company pricing strategy and margin objectives.
• Analyze product costs, selling prices, gross margins, and profitability.
• Prepare regular pricing and market reports to support commercial decision-making.

Quality & Store Operations

• Conduct daily follow-up on product quality across all stores.
• Ensure compliance with company standards for freshness, presentation, handling, and storage.
• Monitor waste and shrinkage levels and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate with store teams to resolve quality and availability issues promptly.

Market & Competitor Intelligence

• Conduct weekly visits to wholesale markets and key sourcing locations to monitor market trends, seasonal products, and pricing.
• Perform regular competitor visits to benchmark pricing, assortment, promotions, and merchandising standards.
• Collect and analyze market intelligence and provide recommendations to improve category performance.

Assortment & Availability Management

• Monitor product availability and stock levels across all stores.
• Support assortment reviews and recommend product additions or delistings based on sales performance and customer demand.
• Ensure key and seasonal products are available at all times.
• Work closely with Operations and Supply Chain teams to minimize out-of-stock situations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Supply Chain, Retail Management, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in Fresh Produce, Retail, Purchasing, Category Management, or a related field.
• Good understanding of fresh fruit and vegetable markets and supply chains.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and analytical thinking.
• Ability to analyze pricing, costs, and margins.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality standards.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Good organizational and reporting skills.
• Team player with a proactive and results-oriented mindset.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of category margin targets.
• Product availability levels across stores.
• Reduction in waste and shrinkage.
• Price competitiveness versus key competitors.
• Supplier performance and service level compliance.
• Fresh Produce sales growth and category profitability.