Fresh Produce Buyer

Shoprite Group of Companies; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Shoprite Group of Companies in South Africa seeks a category buyer with a focus on fruit and vegetables. You will lead seasonal growing programs, negotiate prices to protect profitability, and drive growth across your category while ensuring stock availability and quality.

You will monitor performance, engage suppliers, and ensure adherence to trading policies, with responsibilities spanning sales targets and food-safety standards at producer level.

Qualifications

• Experience in buying and trading within a retail supply chain.
• Knowledge of fruit and/or vegetables is essential.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication across supplier levels.
• Ability to manage a distribution centre environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal growing programs and evaluate grower performance.
• Negotiate product purchase prices to sustain profitability.
• Achieve sales, gross profit and stock targets within your category.
• Maintain optimal stock levels, minimize shortages and waste.
• Ensure product quality and food safety compliance at producer level.
• Conduct farm, market and competitor visits to spot growth opportunities.
• Drive product development and timely launches with promotions.
• Analyze category performance and supplier data to identify opportunities.
• Adhere to company buying and trading policies.
• Support general management duties as needed.

Job description

To grow category sales and profitability by securing the right products at the right price, partnering with growers and suppliers, ensuring product quality and availability, and identifying opportunities that drive market-leading performance.

What you'll do

• Leading, implementation and execution of seasonal growing programs while continuously evaluating grower performance.
• Negotiating and managing product purchase prices to ensure profitability.
• Achieving sales , gross profit and out of stock targets within your category
• Maintaining optimal stock levels for products and packaging, minimizing shortages and waste.
• Overseeing product quality and ensure compliance with food safety standards at producer level.
• Conducting regular farm, competitor, and market visits to evaluate own category and stay ahead of trends
• Driving product development and timeously launch new items with impactful promotional activities.
• Analyzing category ,item performance and supplier data to identify growth opportunities.
• Ensuring strict adherence to company buying and trading policies.
• Supporting general management duties as needed.

What you bring

• Relevant qualification in Agriculture/Agricultural Economics/Commercial or related field would be advantageous
• In-depth knowledge of fruit and/ or vegetables is essential.
• Previous buying and trading experience required.
• Management experience in a DC environment will be advantageous.
• Strong proficiency in general computer applications.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across staff, management, and supplier levels.
• Proven track record of performance, reliability, and professional conduct.
• Strong analytical skills are essential