Fruit&Vegetable Import Manager

Keeta; Dubai; On-site; AED 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Keeta is seeking an experienced import operations and supply planning professional in Dubai to manage supplier onboarding, negotiations, and end-to-end import processes. You will build long-term partnerships with growers and exporters across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Oceania, and Africa, ensuring quality and compliance throughout the supply chain.

You will also oversee seasonal sourcing, inventory optimization, and margin management, collaborating with merchandising and category teams to

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in fresh produce importing.
• Deep knowledge of fresh produce categories, seasonality and cold chain.
• Solid understanding of Incoterms and phytosanitary certificates.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard overseas suppliers aligned with Keeta's standards.
• Lead contract negotiations covering pricing, volume commitments, terms, and quality specs.
• Build strategic partnerships with growers, exporters, and trading companies across origins.
• Manage end-to-end import processes including customs clearance and compliance.
• Develop seasonal supply plans and balance inventory with sales targets.
• Monitor margins, FX exposure, freight rates, and tariff changes; suggest mitigations.
• Coordinate with QA/FS teams to ensure food safety and traceability.

Skills

Fresh produce importing

Supplier onboarding

Contract negotiations

Data analysis / ERP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture / related field

Tools

ERP/WMS systems

Job description

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard overseas fruit & vegetable suppliers aligned with Keeta's quality standards and commercial requirements
• Lead contract negotiations covering pricing, volume commitments, payment terms, and quality specifications
• Build and maintain long-term strategic partnerships with growers, exporters, and trading companies across key origins (e.g., Southeast Asia, Latin America, Oceania, Africa)
• Conduct periodic supplier audits and performance reviews

Import Operations & Compliance

• Manage end-to-end import processes including booking, documentation, customs clearance, phytosanitary compliance, and last-mile delivery coordination
• Ensure full compliance with destination market regulations (FDA, EU health certificates, local agricultural inspection requirements, etc.)
• Work closely with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and cold-chain logistics providers to optimize transit time and product integrity

Supply Planning & Inventory Optimization

• Develop seasonal sourcing plans based on demand forecasts, promotional calendars, and shelf-life constraints
• Balance inventory turnover vs. stock-out risk for perishable SKUs
• Collaborate with merchandising and category teams to align supply plans with sales targets

Cost Control & Margin Management

• Drive cost efficiency through origin diversification, container consolidation, and negotiation leverage
• Monitor FX exposure, freight rate fluctuations, and tariff changes; recommend mitigation strategies
• Analyze gross margin by SKU/origin and identify improvement opportunities

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with local market operations teams to ensure assortment meets consumer preferences
• Coordinate with QA/FS teams to enforce food safety and traceability standards
• Provide market intelligence and pricing insights to support category strategy

Requirements

Experience & Background

• Bachelor's degree or above in Agriculture, Horticulture, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, or related fields
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in fresh produce importing, preferably with a retailer, importer/distributor, or e-commerce platform
• Proven track record managing multi-origin supply chains for fruits and/or vegetables
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment (retail/e-commerce preferred)
• Deep knowledge of fresh produce categories: seasonality, varietals, grading standards, post-harvest handling, and cold chain requirements
• Solid understanding of international trade practices: Incoterms, letters of credit, phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin
• Familiarity with customs clearance procedures and agricultural import regulations in target markets
• Proficient in data analysis and reporting; comfortable with ERP/WMS systems