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Head of Procurement : Fruit

Head of Procurement : Fruit

Lona Citrus (Pty) LtdPaarl, Western Cape, South Africa
15 days ago
Job description

Overview

The Head of Procurement is responsible for overseeing the sourcing and procurement of fruit, more specifically but not limited to citrus products. This role ensures a reliable supply of high-quality fruits for the organisation to fulfil demand, manages supplier relationships, negotiates contracts, and develops procurement strategies to achieve cost efficiencies while maintaining product standards. The manager works closely with internal teams, producers, and suppliers to optimise the supply chain and support business growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategic Sourcing : Develop and implement procurement strategies for citrus products aligned with organisational goals.
  • Supplier (Producer) Management : Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers; build and maintain strong relationships with growers, packers, and exporters.
  • Contract Negotiation : Negotiate pricing, terms, and conditions to ensure value for money and secure reliable supply agreements.
  • Quality Assurance : Work with quality control teams to ensure all products meet required standards and specifications.
  • Market Analysis : Monitor market trends, pricing, and supply chain developments to inform procurement decisions.
  • Inventory Management : Collaborate with logistics and packhouse teams to enable effective management of stock levels and minimise waste.
  • Budget Management : Manage procurement budgets, track expenditure, and report on cost savings and efficiencies.
  • Risk Management : Identify and mitigate risks related to supply disruptions, quality issues, and market volatility.
  • Compliance : Ensure all procurement activities comply with relevant regulations, food safety standards, and ethical sourcing policies.
  • Team Leadership : Lead, train, and develop the procurement team to achieve departmental objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in procurement, preferably within the agricultural or food sector.
  • Strong knowledge of the citrus industry, including production cycles, quality standards, and market dynamics.
  • Proven track record in supplier negotiation, contract management, and strategic sourcing.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, fluent in both English and Afrikaans.
  • Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to travel nationally as required.

    • Skills and Competencies

  • Negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Relationship building and stakeholder management.
  • Analytical and data-driven decision-making.
  • Strong organisational and project management skills.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  • Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.

    • Position base

    This role is based at the Paarl, South Africa, headquarters, with frequent travel to citrus producers, supplier locations, and industry events. The manager works standard business hours but may need to adjust the schedule to accommodate supplier negotiations, harvest cycles, or urgent supply chain issues.

    If you are interested in this position and possess the listed requirements, please forward your CV to by Tuesday, 30 October 2025.

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    Head Of Procurement • Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa