Job Purpose:
Under the direction of the VP of Grower Relations, this position is responsible for the overall performance of the blueberry category across all sourcing regions. This role serves as the strategic link between growers, sourcing teams, sales, logistics, operations, accounting, and customer demand to ensure successful execution of the blueberry business.
Duties & Responsibilities:- Lead the overall blueberry commodity strategy across all sourcing regions, ensuring alignment with company growth objectives, customer requirements, profitability targets, and long-term supply needs.
- Develop and execute seasonal and multi-year supply plans by analyzing crop forecasts, production trends, customer demand, market conditions, and regional sourcing opportunities to ensure a consistent and reliable supply program.
- Own commodity forecasting, seasonal planning, and supply outlook processes, providing accurate and timely information to support sales planning, procurement decisions, inventory management, and executive decision-making.
- Monitor crop conditions, harvest progress, market trends, weather events, and regional transitions to proactively identify supply risks, mitigate disruptions, and capitalize on market opportunities.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with growers and industry partners, working closely with regional sourcing teams to strengthen supplier engagement, improve supply reliability, and support long-term sourcing initiatives.
- Support grower contract negotiations, pricing recommendations, and sourcing strategies while evaluating grower performance, production capabilities, quality standards, and regional competitiveness to optimize the supplier network.
- Partner closely with Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to align supply availability with customer demand, promotional programs, and service expectations while maximizing commodity performance and customer satisfaction.
- Develop and manage commodity allocation, pricing, and distribution strategies during periods of supply fluctuation, ensuring optimal product utilization, customer service levels, and financial results.
- Monitor and analyze category financial performance, including profitability, budget adherence, grower settlements, and key business metrics, providing recommendations to improve margins and overall business performance.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency, sourcing effectiveness, product quality, and profitability through process improvements, data analysis, and strategic business initiatives.
- Work effectively and efficiently in cross-functional departments including sales, operations, logistics, finance, shipping, and receiving.
- Ability to work proactively, prioritize tasks and to manage time effectively.
Skills/Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; equivalent industry experience may be considered.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in fresh produce sourcing, procurement, commodity management, grower relations, or supply chain operations, with significant blueberry industry experience preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing produce commodity programs across multiple domestic and international growing regions, including sourcing, supply planning, and customer fulfillment.
- Strong knowledge of blueberry production practices, growing regions, crop cycles, quality standards, market dynamics, and seasonal supply transitions.
- Proven ability to develop commodity strategies, manage supply programs, and align sourcing activities with customer demand, profitability goals, and long-term business objectives.
- Extensive experience with forecasting, budgeting, commodity profitability analysis, grower settlements, inventory management, and performance reporting.
- Knowledge of import/export operations, international sourcing programs, logistics networks, and regulatory requirements associated with the fresh produce industry.
- Experience negotiating grower contracts, pricing agreements, and long-term supply arrangements while maintaining strong supplier partnerships.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to lead cross-functional business initiatives and effectively collaborate with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality Assurance, and regional sourcing teams.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to evaluate complex business issues and develop practical solutions.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and build credibility with growers, customers, and internal teams.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and business systems used for forecasting, reporting, inventory management, and commodity planning.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support grower relationships, sourcing initiatives, operational reviews, and business development activities.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English proficiently.
- Spanish language proficiency (reading, writing, and speaking) is preferred but not required.
This job description is intended to outline the framework of the duties performed by employees in this job. It is not
an exhaustive list of all the job’s responsibilities. All our jobs include a broad range of activities, duties, and
responsibilities which may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
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