At Harvest Sensations "fresh produce is our passion." Founded in 2000, Harvest Sensations is a leading specialty-produce supplier to foodservice and retail operations across North America. The key to our success is simple, an unyielding commitment to deliver great produce and outstanding customer service.
We service the finest produce distributors as well as specialty retailers from our warehouses in Los Angeles and Miami, where we receive top-quality produce from a network of local, national, regional and international farms.
We are in search of an energetic and dynamic candidate to become our Produce Category Manager.
As the Produce Category Manager you will have background in organic produce, having knowledge of herbs and asparagus gives you a desired advantage.
You will be responsible for managing the purchasing team through leadership and development. You are additionally responsible for providing day to day purchasing and operational support to the warehouse and operations team.
- Associate’s degree (AA) or equivalent; or 2 to 3 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Analytical and problem-solving required
- Bi-lingual a plus
- Direct experience purchasing/procuring produce (herbs, asparagus, and organic produce – a plus).
- Knowledge of organic produce varieties, organic growing practices, quality standards – versed in industry language a favorable
- Strong leadership and team-management skills
- Proficient in MS Office suite software applications
- Experience utilizing databases, including Famous software
- Ability to travel (domestic and international)
- Communicates well with growers and understands the fresh produce supply chain
We offers excellent benefits (medical, dental, vision; life, AD&D), 401k and opportunity for advancement.
- Implements strategic procurement plans to accommodate procurement team goals
- Supervise a designated group of commodities
- Oversees product coordination between sales department, production department, and purchasing related units
- Researches and develops relationships with new and existing suppliers and growers while strategically develops and optimizes our supplier network country-wide for category
- Coordinates and negotiates with suppliers
- Executes purchasing responsibilities on key seasonal commodities weekly, while guiding and mentoring purchasing team on auxiliary commodities
- Reviews market analysis to determine customer needs, price schedules, and seasonal sourcing opportunities
- Monitors and is responsible for inventories in indicated facility
- Directs staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control purchasing program
- Develops company-wide produce demands to coincide with production department needs
- Positively represents all company brands at trade association meetings to promote company image and develop purchasing leads
- Oversees a targeted vendor engagement program.
- Set-up regular vendor visits to build long term relationships
- Analyze quality assurance database identifying best practices in vendor quality control and practices
- Recommends budget, expenditures, and appropriations for the purchasing department's annual budget
- Performs other duties as required and necessary
