Job Description

A well-established company involved in growing, packing, exporting, importing, and distributing fresh citrus, with operational presence in South Africa, Argentina, and Spain, is seeking a motivated and energetic Procurement Manager to lead citrus sourcing in Northern South Africa (Limpopo, KZN) and across Botswana, Mozambique, Egypt, and Morocco.
Minimum requirements for the role:

• Ideally have a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Business, or related field
• Minimum 5 years' experience in citrus/fresh fruit procurement, farm management, or sourcing roles
• Practical farming roots or family background in agriculture are strongly valued
• Experience dealing with growers and understanding their technical and commercial challenges
• Exposure to international citrus trade is an advantage
• Strong quality assessment and technical knowledge of citrus
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to align customer needs to grower offers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Excellent presentation and communication skills

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Identifying and developing new citrus sourcing opportunities in Limpopo, KZN, Botswana, Mozambique, Egypt, and Morocco.
• Building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with growers.
• Onboarding new growers, ensuring compliance with quality, food safety, and market requirements (MRLs, varietal specs, protocols).
• Supporting growers in improving fruit flow, pack out %, and profitability.
• Conducting frequent farm visits to assess crop quality, yields, and harvesting standards.
• Checking fruit quality at source and collaborating with packhouses.
• Assisting in negotiating with customers when quality claims arise, protecting both grower and client relationships.
• Acting as the bridge between growers and the commercial team.
• Translating customer demands and market pricing into fair and transparent grower offers.
• Providing growers with regular updates on pricing trends, sales progress, and market dynamics.
• Negotiating and closing procurement agreements while balancing profitability with long-term grower trust.
• Monitoring and analyzing production volumes, market conditions, and grower performance.
• Preparing professional presentations and updates for growers, showing sales accounts, balances payable, and market outlooks.
• Reporting regularly to management on sourcing status, risks, and opportunities.
• Maintaining clear and accurate records of fruit purchases, prices offered, balances payable to growers, and contract terms.
• Ensuring compliance with company policies, protocols, and reporting standards.

Please note that subsequent to the screening and shortlisting process, all further communication will be entered into only with the shortlisted candidates. If you do not receive any feedback from us within 2 weeks of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Skills Required