Category Lead - Fruit

Category Lead - Fruit

Consolidated Fruit Packers

Star Produce Ltd. (The Star Group)

Kelowna, BC (Preferred). Flexible location may be considered

Status: Permanent Full Time, Salary

Salary Range: $50,000-$75,000/year

Consolidated Fruit Packers (CFP) has been a leader in the Canadian fresh fruit industry since 1993. Supplying premium Okanagan valley apples, cherries, blueberries, and more to satisfied consumers. With over 60 years of combined experience and the backing of The Star Group, we bring new varieties and fresh approaches to meet the needs of our customers worldwide.

Focus

This role is primarily responsible for the procurement and sales of stone fruit to both domestic and international customers. Building on The Star Group customer base, you will develop a depth of understanding to support and fulfill both customer needs and our commodities. Developing and maintaining a high level of knowledge on all aspects of our products and our service levels, and creating on-going relationships with current and future growers as well as current and future customers are vital parts of our success.

Key Accountabilities:

Accountable for the Okanagan stone fruit category and all commodities within it, through:

• Procurement and sales of Okanagan-grown fruit
• Lead the planning for the category to achieve volume, sales, profit, and all other established goals
• Develop customer strategies and lead customer meetings
• Call on customers daily through phone calls, messaging, email, and in-person visits to build relationships and seek new opportunities
• Build and develop relationships with Okanagan-based producers
• Work with internal and/or external customers to troubleshoot issues that may occur with orders, products, and customers
• Work closely with packing houses in establishing packing schedules, packs, and commodity to fill customers’ needs
• Seek out and develop new strategies for stone fruit in global procurement
• Provide support to other categories as needed

Completion of other responsibilities as assigned

Key Attributes and Skills

• Strong knowledge of sales and procurement functions, as well as cross-functional exposure to other company business operations (logistics, inventory management, marketing, supply chain)
• Excellent communication (verbal, written, and listening) and interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to learn in-house software programs
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, growing, fast-paced, and diverse environment
• Leadership, problem solving, teamwork
• Sales ability, negotiation, persuasiveness
• Integrity and work ethic, adaptability, initiative
• Time management, collaboration, mentoring/teaching

Education and Experience

• Completion of post-secondary education (or equivalent) in business or agriculture-related field
• Three to five years of progressively increasing responsibilities in a related field
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365, ERP, and/or CRM systems is an asset
• Food industry experience is an asset

Working Conditions

• Hours may be irregular and in excess of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week
• Work outside ordinary office hours (including weekends and holidays) will be required
• Working in an office environment with regular travel to customers, growers, and/or shippers

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals
• Lifting or moving up to 10 pounds may be required
• Travel is required
• Overtime as required

Why Us?

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Paid Training
• Respect for People
• Quality Leadership
• Team Atmosphere

How to Apply

Please submit your resume (in PDF Form) in confidence. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $50,000.00-$75,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person