Local Marketer (Fresh Produce)

Local Marketer (Fresh Produce)

Our client is looking for a commercially sharp Local Marketer to drive fresh-fruit sales and weekly programmes across the South African market, with scope to support EU/UK export programmes as they grow.

Start date: 1 January 2026 (earlier- December 2025 preferred)
Type: Permanent, full-time, on-site / field-based in Stellenbosch.

Salary: Market related, dependent on experience (open to negotiation)

Role overview

Own the local route-to-market from forecast to delivery: build demand with key buyers, convert availability into value, and protect margin through smart pricing, mix, and timing. Over time, contribute to selected export programmes (EU/UK) in partnership with the ops and logistics teams.

Key responsibilities

• Programme ownership: Plan, price, and execute weekly programmes for retail, wholesale/municipal markets, and processors; manage volumes, varieties, grades/counts, and pack specs.
• Customer growth: Prospect and develop accounts; negotiate allocations, promos, and listings; maintain strong, solutions-focused relationships with buyers and market agents.
• Forecast & allocation: Translate orchard/packhouse forecasts into market offers; balance quality, availability, and price to maximise returns and reduce write-offs.
• Market intelligence: Track supply/demand, competitor moves, and pricing; recommend actions to protect margin and move slower stock.
• Quality & claims: Align customer specs with packhouse; resolve complaints/claims quickly with evidence and corrective actions.
• Logistics coordination: Work with operations on intake, packing, cold chain, and on-time deliveries; keep documentation accurate and complete.
• EU/UK exposure: Support export accounts (specs, allocations, documentation, performance reviews) as capability and business needs evolve.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in fresh-fruit marketing/sales within the South African local market.
• Practical knowledge of varieties, seasons, grades, counts, pack types, and how quality influences pricing.
• Strong numeracy and Excel skills; comfortable with pricing models, forecasts, and margin tracking.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship skills; responsive and reliable on follow-through.
• Organised, proactive, and calm under pressure; effective cross-functional collaborator (farms, packhouses, logistics, finance).
• Relevant commercial/agri qualification advantageous.