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A leading Fresh Produce company in Maidstone are keen to speak with a experienced Commercial Director from the Fresh Produce Industry

Job Overview

A key part of the company’s commercial team, initially supporting the Managing Director in his dealings with overseas suppliers with the intention of becoming fully autonomous in the role within 18 months.

The role requires daily liaison with the company’s overseas suppliers to ensure that product arrives in a timely manner to satisfy UK customers’ programmes. It is based in a busy open-plan office where constant interchange of information with operational colleagues is essential.

Responsibilities

Together with Managing Director, meeting with overseas suppliers both in the UK and abroad to establish supply programmes. Once established, to monitor the delivery of these programmes by checking every element of the supply chain through to arrival at the company’s UK warehouses. This will involve liaison with export and import agents as well as the suppliers’ commercial management.

A key part of the role is ensuring that the company’s internal operations and sales teams are constantly up to date with the latest information about forthcoming arrivals.

As part of managing the overseas supplier relationships, the role includes providing regular feedback to the supplier about arrival condition and quality.

The Individual

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate solid achievements in their career to date specifically in a trading environment. They are likely to have experience in purchasing or supply chain. Applicants from other trading based environments would also be considered.

Although full training will be given, this is not an entry level position. The individual is required to have 10+ years’ experience and should be able to demonstrate a high level of commercial acumen.

Superior communication skills are essential due to the range of multi-functional interactions that are inherent in the performance of the role.

The individual must be mature and comfortable dealing with suppliers in both business and social environments.

4- 6 weeks overseas travel per annum is to be expected and in the first year of employment, the expectation is that it will be office based.

Flexible working after this period will be subject to the needs of the role