Sourcing & Procurement Specialist (Direct Farm – Fresh Vegetables)

Foodmax; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Foodmax is seeking an experienced Procurement Lead to manage end-to-end sourcing of fresh produce across Singapore and regional markets. You will leverage strong supplier networks, negotiate favorable terms and maintain multiple channels to ensure supply continuity.

You will collaborate with Warehouse, Sales and Operations to align inventory, forecast demand and minimize spoilage, while balancing quality, freshness and cost. A hands-on, fast-paced environment awaits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on procurement/sourcing experience in fresh produce.
• Strong existing supplier networks across Singapore and regional markets.
• Proven ability to source and replenish quickly during shortages.
• Experience in multi-source procurement and alternative suppliers.
• Understanding of product specs, seasonality and lead times.
• Strong communication and negotiation with Sales, Warehouse, and Ops.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement of fresh produce locally and internationally.
• Develop and maintain multiple sourcing channels to ensure supply continuity.
• Respond quickly to OOS or demand surges and activate alternative suppliers.
• Identify, evaluate, negotiate and onboard new suppliers.
• Build diversified supplier portfolio and backup suppliers.
• Monitor market conditions, prices, and country-of-origin changes.
• Collaborate with Warehouse, Sales and Operations on inventory and replenishment.
• Develop warehousing and distribution solutions to maintain freshness and minimize loss.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Fresh produce sourcing

Sourcing networks

Supplier onboarding

Cost negotiation

Market analysis

Inventory coordination

Stakeholder management

Job description

• Manage end-to-end procurement of fresh produce, particularly fresh vegetables, sourced locally and internationally, including markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and other relevant sourcing countries.
• Possess strong and established fresh produce sourcing networks, with the ability to procure through direct farms/growers, importers, wholesalers, distributors and other supplier channels.
• Proactively develop and maintain multiple sourcing channels for key SKUs to ensure supply continuity and reduce dependency on a single supplier or country of origin.
• Respond quickly to out-of-stock (OOS), supply shortages or sudden increases in demand by activating alternative suppliers, substitute products or different countries of origin to ensure timely replenishment.
• Independently identify, evaluate, negotiate and onboard new suppliers based on price, quality, availability, lead time, reliability and supply capacity.
• Build and manage a diversified supplier portfolio and maintain backup/contingency suppliers for critical and high-volume products.
• Manage procurement costs and negotiate competitive pricing while balancing product quality, freshness, availability and supply stability.
• Monitor fresh produce market conditions, including seasonality, supply availability, price fluctuations and country-of-origin changes, and adjust sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Work closely with Warehouse, Sales and Operations teams on inventory levels, demand forecasts and replenishment planning to minimise stock-outs, overstocking, spoilage and wastage.
• Develop appropriate warehousing and distribution solutions based on product characteristics to maintain freshness and minimise product loss.
• Monitor purchase and selling prices and support category-level sales, margin and profitability targets.

Job Requirement

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on procurement/sourcing experience in fresh produce, preferably with strong experience in fresh vegetables.
• Strong existing supplier and sourcing network is highly preferred, particularly candidates with access to farms/growers, importers, wholesalers, distributors and fresh produce suppliers across Singapore and regional/international markets.
• Proven ability to source urgently and replenish products when existing suppliers are unable to fulfil orders or when products are out of stock.
• Experience in multi-source procurement, including developing alternative suppliers and sourcing the same or substitute products from different countries of origin.
• Candidates with experience in direct farm procurement, wholesale market sourcing, importer/distributor sourcing or supplier/channel development will be highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of fresh produce procurement, including product specifications, quality, seasonality, pricing, availability, lead time and supply risks.
• Familiar with end-to-end procurement processes including supplier sourcing and development, price negotiation, purchase/order management, account handling and supplier performance management.
• Strong commercial and data analytical capabilities, with the ability to balance cost, quality, availability, freshness and margin.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work closely with Sales, Warehouse and Operations.
• Able to work in a fast-paced and time-sensitive fresh food environment and respond quickly to urgent replenishment and supply disruptions.