Produce Co-Ordinator at Pick n Pay

Pick n Pay is seeking a dedicated and experienced Produce Co-Ordinator to join its dynamic team. This role is crucial for executing a forward-thinking Fresh Produce category strategy, ensuring superior product quality, and enhancing the overall customer experience across stores. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving sales, managing margins, and optimising stock, leveraging their deep understanding of produce seasonality and supply chain dynamics. This position offers a significant opportunity to influence operational improvements, champion best-in-class freshness standards, and contribute to the strategic growth of one of South Africa's leading retailers. The role demands a blend of commercial acumen, analytical prowess, and a passion for fresh food, working collaboratively with store teams to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction. You will be at the heart of ensuring that Pick n Pay's fresh produce offering remains competitive, high-quality, and aligned with evolving customer demands, making a tangible impact on the business's success and reputation for freshness.

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 (ISPs) 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, season.

Why Join Pick n Pay

How to Apply

• 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.
• 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.