Fruit&Vegetable Category Manager Job Dammam area,Eastern Province Saudi Arabia,Supply Chain/Logistics

Identify, evaluate, and onboard overseas fruit & vegetable suppliers aligned with Keeta's quality standards and commercial requirements
Lead contract negotiations covering pricing, volume commitments, payment terms, and quality specifications
Build and maintain long-term strategic partnerships with growers, exporters, and trading companies across key origins (e.g., Southeast Asia, Latin America, Oceania, Africa)
Conduct periodic supplier audits and performance reviews

Import Operations & Compliance

Manage end-to-end import processes including booking, documentation, customs clearance, phytosanitary compliance, and last-mile delivery coordination
Ensure full compliance with destination market regulations (FDA, EU health certificates, local agricultural inspection requirements, etc.)
Work closely with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and cold-chain logistics providers to optimize transit time and product integrity

Supply Planning & Inventory Optimization

Develop seasonal sourcing plans based on demand forecasts, promotional calendars, and shelf-life constraints
Balance inventory turnover vs. stock-out risk for perishable SKUs
Collaborate with merchandising and category teams to align supply plans with sales targets

Cost Control & Margin Management

Drive cost efficiency through origin diversification, container consolidation, and negotiation leverage
Monitor FX exposure, freight rate fluctuations, and tariff changes; recommend mitigation strategies
Analyze gross margin by SKU/origin and identify improvement opportunities

Cross-functional Collaboration

Partner with local market operations teams to ensure assortment meets consumer preferences
Coordinate with QA/FS teams to enforce food safety and traceability standards
Provide market intelligence and pricing insights to support category strategy

Requirements Experience & Background

Bachelor's degree or above in Agriculture, Horticulture, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, or related fields
5+ years of hands-on experience in fresh produce importing
, preferably with a retailer, importer/distributor, or e-commerce platform
Proven track record managing multi-origin supply chains for fruits and/or vegetables
Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment (retail/e-commerce preferred)
Deep knowledge of fresh produce categories: seasonality, varietals, grading standards, post-harvest handling, and cold chain requirements
Solid understanding of international trade practices:
Incoterms, letters of credit, phytosanitary certificates, certificates of origin
Familiarity with customs clearance procedures and agricultural import regulations in target markets
Proficient in data analysis and reporting; comfortable with ERP/WMS systems