Sourcing Back Office

Role Overview

This role focuses on building and maintaining a resilient supply chain for fresh produce by identifying and partnering with farmers and suppliers. Day to day, you will negotiate contracts, coordinate delivery schedules, and monitor market dynamics to ensure the packhouse receives consistent, high-quality fruit and vegetables at competitive prices. Your work directly reduces waste, optimises inventory, and supports the company’s commitment to ethical sourcing.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively search for new suppliers and farmers to improve cost efficiency, shorten lead times, and raise product quality.
• Leverage data from aggregators and lead farmers to plan and align produce deliveries with packhouse capacity.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery timetables with existing partners to secure favourable terms and uninterrupted supply.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with growers and vendors, promptly addressing concerns and keeping them informed of query resolutions.
• Audit supplier compliance against quality benchmarks and ethical standards, championing sustainable and responsible farming.
• Track pricing trends, seasonal shifts, and customer preferences to forecast demand and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Collaborate with warehouse and logistics teams to balance stock, minimise spoilage, and preserve freshness from arrival to dispatch.
• Analyse client ordering patterns and current stock to prevent oversourcing and resulting secondary waste.
• Maximise use of the sourcing platform, relying on data trend reports to drive efficient procurement decisions.
• Carry out additional tasks as directed by your line manager to support evolving business needs.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, or a related discipline; relevant certifications are advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles, ideally within fruit and vegetable distribution or the broader food sector.
• Solid understanding of local produce markets, supplier networks, and agricultural practices.
• Strong negotiation abilities, clear communication skills, and a talent for building trust with partners.
• Analytical capability to interpret market data, pricing trends, and supplier performance metrics.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with a track record of meeting deadlines under pressure.
• Familiarity with quality assurance protocols and food safety regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

What We Offer / Why Join

This is a hands‑on opportunity to shape the sourcing strategy of a dynamic produce operation. You’ll work directly with growers and internal teams to drive efficiency and quality, gaining deep insight into the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain.