Recruitment specialists for the Fresh Produce, Food, Agriculture, Viticulture & FMCG Industries.

This company is a significant force in the European and UK Salad trade they are looking for a Senior Fresh Produce professional to join their UK team as Sales and Procurement Manager. They are extremely well respected and hold a prominent position in the overall Salads Trade. They remain a family concern with an enviable staff retention rate and a reputation that makes them a ‘go to’ employer. In addition to growers across the globe the Dutch based company has won accolades that celebrate them and their supply chain with the most sustainability practices for a produce company in Europe. The hiring Team is based in Kent and covers all UK Retail and Non Retail sales, all sales to Spain and France (Summer) and manages the Winter season procurement for NL and UK. The ideal candidate will be experienced with the Fresh Produce Industry in both Sales and Procurement They will be responsible for the management and development of various Salad categories and implementation of business development strategies to capitalise on new opportunities and establish strong strategic partnerships. The role: 

• To provide market leading strategies to deliver new product developments in both fresh and value-added categories
• To deliver outstanding service expectations, ensuring customers’ expectations are met
• Grow the customer base
• Formulation and implementation of seasonal programs with the integrated Supply base.
• Lead pricing negotiations
• Establish, develop and maintain a commercially beneficial relationship with key customers. Write, implement, evolve and communicate a plan for all required areas.
• Achieve all sales, volume and margin targets within key accounts
• Provide weekly sales forecasting to the business; · Provide accurate account information for the use in longer term forecasting and programming
• Continuously evaluate the supply chain to identify cost savings and opportunities to improve the quality and freshness of the product
• Liaise with internal departments (supply chain, procurement, technical, operations) to ensure quality and timely delivery of product
• Liaise with procurement and supply chain teams to address sourcing and availability issues. Maintain and develop Winter procurement (currently mainly Morocco).
• Understand and communicate technical issues with the customer commercial team where necessary and liaise on these issues internally with technical and quality teams to achieve satisfactory resolution
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the market sector including consumer trends, competitor activity and product lines
• To identify and deliver opportunities for profitable business growth within key accounts
• Ensure the adherence of administrative and financial systems and controls
• Provide summary information regarding sales, volumes, margins and prices as and when required

Qualifications and Experience

• 5+ years’ experience in a commercial role within fresh produce (fruit and vegetables)
• A proven track record of successful business relationships together with the development of new products, marketing, and strategic partnerships
• Written and spoken fluency in English

Skills

• A specialist all-encompassing knowledge of fresh produce
• Demonstrable initiative-taking and innovative problem-solving abilities
• A strong, professional communicator who builds mutual trust and respect within a European supply-base.
• Skilled negotiator with commercial and financial acumen
• Possesses a win-win mindset
• To consistently meet targets and thrive in a high- pressure environment

  You must be eligible to work in UK, be willing and able to travel internationally and be in receipt of a valid passport and full driving licence.   To apply for the exciting role, send a copy of your CV to /frank@fmkconsulting.co (just.co)  

Our client is a successful Strawberry Grower in the SW. They have a solid Quality team maintaining most of the QMS, they now have an opening for a Technical Manager to primarily ensure their BRC status continues on the right path. We envisage this role may take up 3 days a week but again this is open for discussion.

"To control the processes that ensures all of the technical requirements of the company are achieved and fully compliant. All activities to be in accordance with the stated Company protocols of Food Safety, GMP and HACCP. In the absence of the post holder, all responsibilities for technical issues, Food Safety, Legality and Quality will be taken up by the Technical Director who will be your Line Manager.

MAIN DUTIES:

•     To ensure that the BRC Manual is complete and fully updated.

•     To lead the HACCP team and ensure compliance

•     To conduct any audits as required including any un-announced customer audits.

•     To conduct weekly GMP audits and report

•     To ensure strict compliance with the company’s food safety and quality operating procedures (QOP) are adhered to.

•     To ensure all regular meetings are minuted and attend where appropriate

•     To check all quality systems and conduct tests as per QMS v9.

•     Check Shelf life tests, analyse and report to Cardiff.

•     Receive quality reports and analyse for trending.

•     Grower / Supplier sign off,  Due Diligence  ( Imported Berries )

•     Receive complaints/rejections and conduct thorough review and report.

•     Trend results

•     Manage pest contracts, and act according to situation

•     Conduct regular inspections to the packhouse exterior/interior and advise to the appropriate Manager.

•     To motivate all staff to comply by all protocols and procedures as described in the Manual.

•     To ensure all equipment operators are using equipment in accordance with instruction.

•     To complete any other duties as may be required in line with the position of Technical Manager, or as directed by the management and leadership team

This is a part - time role

Location: Somerset

Call Frank Kinsella on 07734 861080 or email frank@fmkconsulting.co to apply

This is a unique opportunity to join a successful Berry Grower based in Somerset. They are looking for a Technical Manager with a background in BRC (AA) maintenance and ideally with Fresh Produce experience, although this is not critical. You will be supported by a strong Quality team with a large amount of the routine tasks under their remit.The Farm operations are well organised and working effectively, this can allow for flexibility in the Technical Managers working arrangements. These are open for  discussion. To control the processes that ensures all of the technical requirements of the company are achieved and fully compliant. All activities to be in accordance with the stated Company protocols of Food Safety, Red Tractor and HACCP. MAIN DUTIES:      To ensure that the BRC Manual is complete and fully updated (last update 2023)

•      To lead the HACCP initiatives and ensure compliance
•      To conduct any audits as required including any un-announced customer audits
•      To ensure strict compliance with the company’s food safety and quality operating procedures (QOP) are adhered to.
•      To ensure all regular meetings are recorded and attend where appropriate
•      To check all quality systems and conduct tests as per QMS v7.
•      Check Shelf-life tests, analyse and report to stakeholders.
•      Receive quality reports and analyse for trending.
•      Grower / Supplier sign off, Due Diligence  ( Imported Berries )
•      Receive complaints/rejections and conduct thorough review and report.
•      Manage pest contracts, and act according to situation
•      To motivate all staff to comply by all protocols and procedures as described in the Manual.
•      To complete any other duties as may be required in line with the position of Technical Manager, or as directed by the management and leadership team.