Job Description:
Sun Pacific began in 1969 with the purchase of 72 acres of oranges in Exeter, California. Today we move over 60 million boxes of oranges, mandarins, kiwi, tomatoes, and table grapes from our farmland in the San Joaquin Valley. We own our land, we control it, we farm it. As the acreage has grown, so has our expertise and attention to detail in farming and packing the finest quality produce coming off that land. Today, Sun Pacific is the largest Kiwi grower in North America, the largest grower/shipper of Navels in the U.S., the 2nd largest grower/shipper of clementines and mandarins in the U.S., the 2nd largest Tomato grower in California and world renowned for the highest quality Table Grapes in the Western Hemisphere. We have grown from our initial 72 acres to a total of well over 20,000 acres today.
Our team is growing and currently looking for an Import Director to oversee all activities of the import department, including southern hemisphere supplier relationships and business activities, based in Pasadena, California.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Working with current suppliers and generating new suppliers to develop shipment, storage and packing plans;
- Working with current sales team to develop retail sales programs and strategies;
- Communicating with suppliers to ensure flow of products is optimal;
- Communicating and working with existing growers and interacting with and helping assess new grower prospects;
- Reviewing and analyzing product availability, pricing strategy, packing and logistics with the sales team;
- Monitoring inbound shipments to ensure compliance with import regulations;
- Providing shipping information and required documentation to appropriate parties including U.S. Customs, brokers, expeditors, inspectors and warehouses;
- Working closely with sales team and shippers/growers to schedule, coordinate and align inbound shipments with product demand, customer requirements and sales needs;
- Coordinating the scheduling of freight forwarding with the in-house transportation team from the point of delivery (port, border and packing house) to the final destination;
- Managing and reviewing inventory on a daily basis;
- Continually identifying and determining optimum sources of supply;
- Communicating effectively to all department supervisors;
- Maintaining awareness of Company’s marketing strategies and competitive activity.
Skills:
- Knowledge and experience with fresh produce (citrus, apples, tree fruit, preferred);
- Knowledge and experience with logistics, ocean freight shipping, cold storage, and repacking;
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
- Excellent interpersonal teamwork skills/behavior/abilities;
- Strong computer skills: must be proficient in MS Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook;
- Strong math and writing skills;
- Ability to work independently and carry out assignments to completion;
- Must be detailed oriented;
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Competitive pay and benefits, offered.
Qualifications:
- 5-7 years relevant experience (produce and/or logistics experience, highly preferred);
- Bachelor’s degree in related field, desired;
- Strong negotiating skills;
- Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and able to accomplish team objectives.
