Category Manager (Fruit)

Sapics; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Sapics is seeking a Fruit Category Manager to drive procurement and profitability across local and international markets in the fresh produce sector. You will source fruit, manage supplier negotiations, and oversee perishable supply chains to deliver competitive pricing and quality.

You will collaborate with regional sales teams, lead seasonal procurement planning, and take responsibility for category margins and performance.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in category management, procurement or international trading in fresh fruit.
• Strong knowledge of import/export documentation and regulatory requirements.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management / Business Administration / Agriculture or related field.

Responsibilities

• Source fresh fruit locally and internationally to support procurement.
• Lead international sourcing, import/export processes and perishables supply chain.
• Build relationships with local and international growers, exporters and suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure pricing, quality and favorable terms.
• Plan seasonal procurement, pricing strategies and inventory requirements.
• Own category profitability, margins and overall performance.
• Manage supplier claims and product quality issues.
• Monitor market trends and pricing movements to identify growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with regional sales teams to align procurement and commercial strategies.

Job description

Fruit Category Manager opportunity within an international fruit trading business, focusing on sourcing, supplier negotiations and driving profitability within the fresh produce industry. A strong commercial role for an experienced professional looking to make an impact within the fresh produce sector.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the sourcing and procurement of fresh fruit across local and international markets.
• Oversee international fruit sourcing, import and export processes and perishable supply chain activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and international growers, exporters and suppliers.
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure competitive pricing, quality and favourable commercial terms.
• Manage seasonal procurement planning, pricing strategies and inventory requirements.
• Take responsibility for category profitability, P&L margins and overall category performance.
• Manage supplier claims, product quality concerns and recovery processes.
• Monitor and analyse market trends, pricing movements and competitor activity to identify opportunities and support business growth.
• Collaborate with regional sales teams across multiple countries to align procurement and commercial strategies.

Requirements:

• 5 - 8 years of experience in category management, procurement, commercial management, or international trading within the fresh fruit or fresh produce industry.
• Strong understanding of import and export documentation, processes and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Previous experience managing teams across multiple regions will be advantageous.