North America - Fresh Lead (Bilingual English/Spanish)

Location:Toronto HO

Job Title: North America - Fresh Lead
Job Requirement: In Office (5 days/week)
Industry: Fresh Produce (Mexico, The United States, Central America)

Job Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled and bilingual professional to join our team as the North America - Fresh Lead. This role will be responsible for managing supplier relationships and driving fresh produce sales operations across Mexico, the United States, and Central America. The ideal candidate will be fluent in both English and Spanish (native-level proficiency in Spanish), enabling seamless communication with suppliers, customers, and cross-functional teams across North America and Latin America. The role requires strong leadership, analytical thinking, and a deep understanding of the fresh produce industry. Please note, due to the requirements of this role we require an in-office (5 days/week) presence.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Supplier Relationship Management:

o Build and maintain strong relationships with local suppliers in Mexico, the United States, and Central America.

o Lead and oversee the fresh sales team, ensuring smooth operations across regions.

Sales & Performance Analytics:

o Provide analytical insights and trend analysis on revenue, volume, and margins to optimize supplier performance and reduce risks, while maintaining quality and sustainability standards.

Operations Management:

o Lead key operational functions, including issuing purchase orders (POs), coordinating with operations on issues, and communicating product availability to sales teams.

o Ensure timely and effective communication of crop assessments, food safety, compliance, and quality control from suppliers to head office teams.

Collaboration & Quality Assurance:

o Work in conjunction with Marcatus QED Global Quality and Sourcing teams to ensure adherence to quality and food safety standards.

o Mitigate supply interruption risks and ensure continual product supply per seasonal and annual contracts.

Product Development & Innovation:

o Initiate and present findings from crop trials, exploring alternative products, varieties, and suppliers to enhance supply chain offerings.

Supplier Profitability & Sourcing:

o Liaise with existing and new suppliers to assess profitability metrics, pricing, product availability, and supplier qualifications to meet company standards.

Shrinkage and Spoilage Reduction:

o Take a leadership role in minimizing shrinkage and spoilage of fresh produce, addressing quality and quantity issues, and optimizing lead times for orders.

Costing & Competitiveness:

o Develop an in-depth understanding of local costing structures to increase competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Logistics Responsibilities:

Shipment Coordination:

o Using assigned systems, schedule carriers for shipping requirements per booking instructions and ensure all information is relayed accurately.

o Work closely with departments to ensure orders are coordinated for on-time delivery.

Shipment Compliance & Documentation:

o Coordinate inbound and outbound shipments with relevant staff at each shipping destination, ensuring all necessary documentation is completed per regulations and standards.

Health & Safety Compliance:

o Adhere to laws, regulations, and standards, ensuring compliance with Occupational Health and Safety provisions.

Qualifications:

Bilingual (English/Spanish): Native-level proficiency in Spanish with fluent communication skills in both English and Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing).

Experience: 3+ years of experience in the fresh produce industry or related fields, with knowledge of supplier relationships, logistics, and operations management.

Leadership: Proven experience in leading teams and driving operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess revenue, volume, margin, and supplier performance.

Logistics Knowledge: Familiarity with logistics coordination and compliance requirements for inbound and outbound shipments.

Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and resolve issues, mitigating risks and ensuring smooth operations.

Cultural Competence: Strong understanding of the North and Central American fresh produce markets, with the ability to work effectively in cross-cultural environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with international suppliers and understanding regional trade and regulations.

Familiarity with crop trials and alternative product sourcing.

Understanding of fresh produce shrinkage and spoilage reduction strategies.

Benefits:

Competitive salary and benefits package.

Career growth and advancement opportunities.

Collaborative work environment.

If you are passionate about the fresh produce industry and have the bilingual skills necessary to succeed in a dynamic, international business setting, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity!

About Us:

We are an award-winning agribusiness with over 20 years of experience creating innovative and sustainable programs for clients in the food industry. From our global headquarters in Toronto to our facilities in India, we are passionate about making a positive impact on the food supply chain. We are proud winners of the Guardian UK Sustainable Business Award for our work in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and our Women in Agriculture Scholarship.