Berry People is a year-round, full-line shipper of organic and conventional berries and avocados, and owner of the Berry People® and Avo People® brands. Headquartered in Hollister, California, the company’s ownership and key alliance partners hold important production assets in California, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. All product is graded and allocated by pallet, and all growers are fully compliant with USDA and FDA regulations on Food Safety and organic practices. Berry People operates with a strong company ethos along its entire supply chain that emphasizes complementarity, stewardship, and empathy.
Description:
As Avocado Business Manager, you will develop, manage, and mature our avocado business under the Avo People® brand, coupling your own product expertise and existing grower and buyer relationships with the Company’s existing shareholder and third-party production, as well as plug into the Company’s extensive list of quality retail/wholesale accounts currently being serviced with Berry People® and Avo People® branded products. You will need to have a deep knowledge of the avocado industry, including products, pack-styles, varieties and cost structures, growers and growing regions, the competitive environment, and the general tendencies and direction of the avocado market and industry. An existing track-record of direct, diversified, and high-quality grower and buyer accounts and relationships are required, and we will compliment this with shareholder production, branding and marketing, and the other resources needed for you to build the business. The candidate will need to be a self-starter, and passionate about the avocado industry, and will need to be a true “hunter-gatherer,” willing, ready, and able to drive the business forward towards the Avo People® vision.
- Develop and Profitably Manage the Company’s Avocado Business.
- Originate and Execute all Grower (including shareholders) Supply Agreements and Customer Programs.
- Seasonal and Weekly Supply and Demand Planning.
- Accurately Assess Market using Trade Feedback and Statistical Analysis.
- Advise Sales/Management on Forward and Program Pricing & Volumes.
- Develop and Directly Manage Buyer and Grower Accounts.
- Liaise between Growers, the Sales Team, and their Accounts for Diversified, Direct, and Deliberate Avocado Distribution.
- Manage Avocado Business to target Cash Flow, Gross Margin, and Scale.
- Provide Weekly Market Update for Sales, Buyers, and Growers.
- Consignment & Buy/Sell Procurement.
- Profitable placement of off-grades, supply surges, and other “difficult” inventory.
- Review Sales Reports with Growers.
- Review Department Financial Performance with Management.
- Establish and oversee avocado operations including, harvest, haul, packing, quality assurance, ripening, and distribution.
- Develop the Avo People® Brand.
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Highly Proficient in Excel for Modeling, Analysis, and Planning/Budgeting Purposes.
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Proficient in Transaction Systems (i.e. Famous or similar) for management of purchases, sales, and inventory.
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Proficient in MS Outlook Email, Calendar, and Task Management.
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Expert understanding of the Avocado market (players, tendencies, trends, seasonality, regions, etc).
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Ability to Overcome Objections and Manage Expectations.
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Budgeting, Planning, and Goal Setting.
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Clear and Professional Verbal and Written Communication.
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Spanish-English Biliteracy Required.
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Impeccable Integrity.
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Strong Self Confidence with Humility and Compassion.
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High Intensity, Awareness, and Agility while maintaining Detailed Accuracy.
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High Emotional Intelligence & Strong Character.
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Personable, Trustworthy, Resilient.
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Creative and Tenacious Problem Solver.
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10+ Years in the Avocado Industry, 5+ Years in Management.
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Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Business or similar. Consideration given to combined Education, Experience, and Track Record.
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Avocado Farming, Facilities, Sales, and Marketing Experience.
- Proven successful Track Record in Avocado Sales, Procurement, and Business Development.
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Management - Reports to Senior Leadership Team.
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Outside Parties - Interacts with Buyers, Growers, Coolers, Carriers, and other Service Providers or Trading Partners.
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Inside Parties – Works in collaboration with Management, Accounting, Sales, Supply, Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Operations.