Produce Broker

Position:               Broker

Status:                  Exempt

Reports to:           VP, Trading Company

 General Description: 

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The Broker sources and sells produce to retailers, processors, and other fresh produce buyers. The Broker negotiates product prices and product placements to maximize their clients' sales, collaborates with retailers and manufacturers to build a professional network, and monitors market conditions, competitors, and how to best promote food products to potential customers.

 Responsibilities:

• Source produce from growers and sell to retail and wholesale customers
• Build and maintain a network of growers, processors, retailers, and wholesalers
• Develop new grower programs to coincide with team goals
• Work with the team to support the sale of grower-direct programs
• Maintain current customer base while developing new business
• Manage transportation and logistics of product
• Collaborate with accounting to ensure timely payment to vendors and collection from customers
• Enter orders and manage invoices
• Negotiate product programs, placement, and pricing
• Develop and achieve long- and short-term sales goals with the customer
• Assess current supply and inventory for clients
• Create an actionable promotion plan for clients' products
• Discuss the seasonality of products
• Compare products with competitors' goods
• Conduct market research to evaluate the potential success of the product

 Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• Knowledge of produce seasons, quality standards, packaging, and transportation
• Ability to negotiate prices, contracts, and product placement
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with individuals in and outside the organization
• Work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Able to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Demonstrated critical thinking and ability to create and follow a business strategy
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, and the ability to use data to inform solid business practice
• Knowledge of commodity locations, growing and harvesting practices, packing, and repacking, and other produce suppliers, distributors, and processors
• Familiar with Import and Export of fresh produce from Mexico, Canada, and Europe

• Proficiency in MS Office products, with emphasis on Excel
• Ability to speak and write in English is required

 Competencies

• Proven Business Acumen
• Problem Solving – Demonstrated skill in identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner
• Planning/Organizing – Superior ability to prioritize and plan work activities
• Judgment – Includes appropriate people in decision making process; asks for help when needed
• Motivation – Displays energy and enthusiasm in approaching the job and working through challenges
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments
• Ethics – Inspires the trust of others; works ethically and with integrity; maintains confidentiality; upholds organizational values

 Education and Work Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of produce brokerage experience

 Physical Demands: 

 Continuously = 67 – 100%

Frequently  = 34 – 66 %

Occasionally  =   6 –  33%

Seldom       =   1 – 5%

Never

 Stand:                                 Frequently

Walking:                             Frequently

Lifting:                            1-20 lbs Occasionally; 21-50 lbs Seldom; 50+lbs Never

Carrying:                            1-20 lbs Occasionally; 21-50 lbs Seldom; 50+lbs Never

Pushing/Pulling:               1-20 lbs Occasionally; 21-50 lbs Seldom; 50+lbs Never

Use of arms, wrists, hands: Continuously

Reach (below shoulder):  Continuously

Reach(above shoulder):  Seldom

Bend/Stoop:                      Occasionally

Twist:                                 Occasionally

Crouch/Squat:                   Seldom

Climbing:                           Seldom

Crawl/Kneel:                      Never

Sitting:                               Continuously

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Environmental Conditions:

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Position works in an open office environment with some time spent in a refrigerated warehouse (36° F). The majority of the office time is spent at a desk on a computer and/or phone.

This job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned. As the nature of the business changes, so may the requirements and responsibilities of this position.