Position Purpose

The position is responsible for daily execution on East Coast blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries to include managing inventories, making short-range adjustments to the pack plan, and understanding the nuances of product availability over the next ten days. Individual will be called on to provide accurate product availability projections and communication on supply chain conditions. Position will support the Director(s) of Product Management in managing the daily and weekly sales operations execution, communication, planning, and measurement for all east coast product.

Organizational Relationships

• Supervisor: Director, Product Management (East Coast)

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

· Focus on the daily short-term sales and operations planning for all east coast product, which includes conventional and organic blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

· Execute on operational functions, which will include reviewing inventories, product rotation, carryover, and reviewing ideal SKU mix with the Directors of Sales and Product Management.

· Act as the first point of contact in dealing with and handling product claims with the sales team and Partner operations staff.

· Balance sales boards, reporting any discrepancies and resolving issues.

· Coordinate re-packing and/or re-grading as needed to add value to returns.

· Update and distribute the Daily Pack Plan to assigned growing area/facilities.

· Monitor and execute special pack requests and export orders.

· Able to make the best strategic decision on packing execution to align with Naturipe Farms’ overall strategic goals.

· Plan and create fruit transfers around demand per location.

· Work close together with the Transportation team to maximize freight efficiencies.

· Oversee input of and, in some instances, enter daily projections are entered correctly in the system, which can include reviewing details of what others entered and/or directly entering projections.

· Monitor imported fruit in conjunction with Partner Operations & Logistics, which will include inbounds arriving via truck, air, and boat containers.

· Plan air/truck arrivals accordingly during the Import season to make sure product is brought in with enough time to meet orders.

· Communicate transportation, availability, inventory, order fulfillment and other unforeseen situations that arise to the Product Managers and Sales department.

· Update Sales and Logistics teams with any changes and order fulfillment interruptions.

· Develop a product knowledge base in raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.

· Assist in coordinating the daily relationship with Partner Operations staff to achieve the targeted customer and department service goals.

· Understand sales plan within the next two weeks to analyze where value can be added.

· Gain knowledge of each partner’s operation to drive efficiencies in packing at the grower level to add value to returns.

· Gain knowledge of specifications and requirements for our strategic customers.

· Execute on customer specific programs as needed and directed by management

· Drive innovation and improvement in the department through new and/or improved processes.

Quantitative Data

· Daily execution on up to 6 domestic and 4 import production regions.

· Ensure proper inventory details and order execution for over 100m lbs. of fresh berries.

· Deliver up to four different daily pack plans at one time

· Create and distribute up to four weekly reports per week

• Associates (two-year) degree minimum; Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Business, Business, Supply Chain Management or related field preferred.

• Knowledge of agriculture business, produce sales, order fulfillment, and/or production management preferred.

• Three years’ experience in office or produce environment a plus.

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred but not required.

• Intermediate or greater skills with Windows, Microsoft Excel, Power Point and Word required. Previous experience with SAP a plus.

• Ability to build creative solutions for analyzing production planning and grower returns via Excel or any other tool strongly encouraged

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Aptitude to lead conference calls from time-to-time which includes professional phone etiquette.

• High energy level with strong inter-personal skills.

• Self-starter, multi-task oriented, works well independently and acts on own initiative.

• Ability to accept responsibility and thrive in a cooperative team environment.

• While Director is out of the office, confidence to take on additional roles and responsibilities.

• Ability to work in a professional, confident manner.

• Strong analytical skills

• Effective time management skills are necessary to ensure a high level of quality and efficiency in a fast-paced environment

• Prior produce business and/or berry category experience and basic knowledge of production cycles and growing areas a plus.

• The individual must be willing to travel for short periods of time and available to travel at least 30 days per year. Valid driver’s license required.

• Must be available on call, evenings and weekends.

Exempt Position

Required to be in Grand Junction MI office 3x per week