General Manager - Exports (Citrusdal)

Vine Recruitment; Citrusdal; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Vine Recruitment in Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa, seeks an Export Leadership Lead to manage export operations, planning and execution across the value chain.

The role focuses on market allocation, risk management and annual budgeting for the export unit, requiring a relevant tertiary degree and proven leadership in fast-moving fresh produce environments.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in fresh produce, exports, supply chain management or related sectors.
• Degree in Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong planning, logistics and export execution knowledge.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to lead under pressure.
• Ability to build trust and develop people across functions.
• Experience in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Excellent communication and sound judgement.
• Fruit industry experience is advantageous but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead export management and operations team and oversee the Export Management Operating System.
• Optimise product allocation across customers and markets; manage risks and align supply and demand.
• Lead annual planning and budgeting for the export business unit and drive cost control and reporting.

Skills

Leadership experience

Supply chain management

Export execution

Planning & budgeting

Communication & influencing

Education

Relevant tertiary degree (Management / Supply Chain / Industrial Engineering)

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Operational Leadership, Planning & Execution Lead the export management and operations team. Manage the Export Management Operating System to ensure effective execution across the export value chain. Oversee supply-demand planning, logistics, export documentation and programme delivery according to the agreed marketing and export plan. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, processes, systems and overall execution.
• 2. Market Plan, Allocation & Risk Management Optimise product allocation across customers, markets, product specifications, supply constraints and operational requirements within agreed strategic parameters. Ensure supply, customer demand and operational capacity are properly aligned. Identify and manage key operational, commercial and supply-chain risks.
• 3. Financial Management Lead annual planning and budgeting for the export business unit. Drive cost control, financial discipline and accountability. Provide clear, concise and actionable reporting on progress Risks

Requirements & Competencies

The successful candidate should have:

• Leadership experience within fresh produce, exports, supply chain management or related sectors.
• A relevant tertiary degree, such as: Management, Supply Chain Industrial Engineering or related field
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong managerial understanding of planning, logistics, export execution
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to lead effectively under pressure.
• Ability to build trust, engage constructively across functions and develop people.
• Experience operating in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Excellent communication skills and sound judgement.
• Fruit industry experience is advantageous but not required.