The Vegetables Sourcing Manager will be accountable to develop and grow the category, shaping the overall direction, supply plan and investment strategy. You must be familiar with the overall category from a global perspective, including growing area, varieties, growing practices, consumption, pricing, importing countries, customer purchasing trends, and packaging.
This role demands an ability to react quickly to changing conditions, a strong business acumen, and a visionary, entrepreneurial approach to develop a robust strategy for the category, and identify opportunities. You’ll play a pivotal role in directing the end-to-end supply chain and leveraging a solid infrastructure to deliver year-round programs.
Responsibilities:
Sales:
- Work with Account Managers to create and implement Sales and Marketing plans for the Vegetables category
- Support Category Sales and Account Managers (as needed) on sales calls
- Jointly create and sign off on sales plans with account manager for all budgeted accounts
- Work with the Business Analytics team to determine consumption habits and improve on buying, i.e. weather reports
- Host Value Proposition meetings to educate Sales teams
- Total accountability for top line budgeted revenue of Category
- Monthly Journals recapping previous month
- Review and sign off on contracts
- Maintain and nurture your customer group
People:
- Create succession and Personal Development Plan for your team of Category Specialists
- Manage revenue to expenses for your Category team
- Work with Operations Supervisor to determine operations needs
- Performance management and compensation accountability for team
Supply:
- Review and determine appropriate investments with growers and/or presenting recommendations for the development of the commodities
- Utilize local/regional programs to plan and sell the crop on a transactional basis
- Manage the transitioning of volume to Brands if applicable
- Ensure growers are Food Safety certified
- Develop relationships with growers
- Challenge the status quo to identify opportunities for innovation
Technology:
- Utilize and promote all technology available
- Opportunity Management in company systems to track opportunities and manage your team
- Help to identify technology needs of the future that will continue to drive revenue, efficiency and value to stakeholders in the business (customer, grower, etc.)
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Minimum 3 years’ fresh produce experience (in buying and selling roles), including vegetables. Retail experience preferred.
- Strategic and creative thinking skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Excellent customer/supplier service skills
- High degree of knowledge of the Grower/ Shipper side of the industry.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Solid financial acumen
- Strong team player
- Travel up to 25%
Benefits:
We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, prescription drug coverage, paid holidays and vacation, disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, profit sharing, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the opportunity to prosper in a growing Fortune 500 company.
Company Description
C.H. Robinson—accelerating careers with immense opportunities and professional growth within the global supply chain industry. Start here. Accelerate here
Every individual working at C.H. Robinson is integral to the success of our customers and our company. C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 500, global company that values teamwork, initiative, accountability, and integrity from its employees. We work globally and innovate daily to enhance and execute supply chains that move goods around the world. The fast pace of the logistics industry translates into a high-energy and collaborative workplace environment. We are empowered to make decisions, help our customers grow, and accelerate our careers.
Robinson Fresh® is a global business brand that represents C.H. Robinson’s fresh product offerings. Robinson Fresh got its start in the produce industry over 100 years ago, providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the settlers of North America. Today, Robinson Fresh is one of the largest produce companies in the world and offers the highest quality products. Robinson Fresh packs in many well-known private label and consumer’s brands as well as a full line of conventional and organic produce through a worldwide network of regional and local growers.
Join the 12,000 employees worldwide who are accelerating their careers at C.H. Robinson.
Equal Opportunity Employer
C.H. Robinson - Affirmative Action Employer/EOE/M/F/Disabled/Veteran
