About the position
Role Summary
To drive the strategic growth, operational excellence, and commercial performance of the Fresh Produce category across the business. The Fresh Produce Co-Ordinator holds end-to-end accountability for category performance, leveraging data-driven insights, seasonal planning, supplier collaboration, and disciplined in-store execution to deliver superior freshness, availability, and profitability.
Working closely with Buying, Store Operations, and Marketing, the role ensures the Fresh Produce offering meets evolving customer expectations through quality, value, and innovation. The Co-Ordinator provides strategic guidance and operational support to store teams, ensuring effective stock management, reduced shrinkage, strong visual merchandising, and optimal product availability aligned to seasonal cycles and promotional activity.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Grade 12 (essential)
Diploma or Degree in Agriculture, Food Science or related field
5-7 years' experience in Fresh Produce retail, category management, or store operations.
Proven experience managing margin, shrinkage, and stock management within a fresh food environment.
Strong understanding of produce seasonality, grading standards, and supply chain dynamics.
Knowledge of food safety legislation and fresh produce handling standards.
Behavioural Competencies and Technical Skills
Strong commercial and financial acumen (margin analysis, shrinkage control, stock optimisation).
Strategic thinking with a strong understanding of produce seasonality and market trends.
Advanced analytical capability (Excel, SAP, Power BI, retail BI systems).
Deep understanding of fresh produce handling, merchandising, and quality control.
Ability to influence and drive operational improvements across multiple stores.
Strong project management and execution capability.
Customer-centric mindset with a passion for freshness, quality, and visual merchandising excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy and Commercial Performance
Execute a forward-thinking Fresh Produce category strategy aligned to customer demand, seasonality, and business growth objectives.
Drive sales, gross margin, and category contribution through effective assortment planning, pricing architecture, and promotional optimisation.
Identify new opportunities for value-added produce lines, convenience packs, and seasonal product ranges to enhance competitiveness.
Monitor market trends, customer buying behaviour, and competitor activity to inform category development.
Product Quality, Freshness and Customer Experience
Champion best-in-class freshness standards across all stores to ensure superior product quality and shelf life.
Oversee grading standards, handling procedures, and stock rotation practices to minimise waste and maintain quality integrity.
Support development of value-added produce offerings (cut fruit, prepared vegetables, convenience packs) aligned to customer needs.
Oversee training, management, and implementation of in-store processes (ISP) in the reworking and recycling of stock to enhance inventory efficiency and sustainability
Enhance in-store theatre through impactful produce displays, colour blocking, and seasonal merchandising.
Promote customer education around seasonality, product origin, and usage to enhance the fresh food shopping experience.
Operational Excellence and Store Enablement
Provide operational guidance to store teams on stock management, demand planning, and replenishment cycles.
Implement best practice frameworks for stock rotation (FIFO), handling procedures, and storage protocols to maintain freshness.
Monitor store compliance with food safety standards, hygiene requirements, and product handling procedures.
Identify and address margin leakage linked to shrinkage, poor stock rotation, over-ordering, or product damage.
Oversee the implementation of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across stores to support operational consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
Support new store openings, store refurbishments, and fresh produce layout optimisation.
Data Analytics and Performance Insights
Analyse sales, margin, waste, and stock holding performance to identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities.
Use commercial data to produce actionable insights that inform category decisions and store performance improvement.
Track promotional effectiveness, seasonal activity performance, and return on investment.
Develop dashboards and performance scorecards to support store accountability and highlight best practice.
Monitor shrinkage and waste reporting to identify operational improvement opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Buying and Supply Chain teams to ensure optimal product availability and efficient stock flow.
Work with Marketing to plan and execute seasonal campaigns and promotional activity.
Participate in product evaluations, supplier engagements, and category reviews.
Act as the key liaison between Support Office and Stores for Fresh Produce execution and standards.
Merchandising and Standards
Support implementation of planograms and visual merchandising standards for the Fresh Produce department.
Ensure stores maintain strong product presentation, display rotation, and signage standards.
Assist with distribution of operational manuals, display guides, and merchandising standards across stores.
Gather store feedback to continuously improve product assortment, displays, and operational efficiency.
Administrative Support
Assist with promotional planning and monitor execution through performance reporting.
Compile sales, waste, and operational performance reports for the category team.
Leadership Impact
Mentor and coach store teams on fresh produce handling, merchandising excellence, and commercial performance.
Foster a culture of accountability around freshness, availability, and waste reduction.
Influence cross-functional stakeholders to deliver integrated Fresh Foods category solutions.
Closing date - 29 May 2026
