It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!
To drive the strategic growth, operational excellence, and commercial performance of the Fresh Produce category across the business. The Fresh Produce Co-Ordinator holds end-to-end accountability for category performance, leveraging data-driven insights, seasonal planning, supplier collaboration, and disciplined in-store execution to deliver superior freshness, availability, and profitability.
Working closely with Buying, Store Operations, and Marketing, the role ensures the Fresh Produce offering meets evolving customer expectations through quality, value, and innovation. The Co-Ordinator provides strategic guidance and operational support to store teams, ensuring effective stock management, reduced shrinkage, strong visual merchandising, and optimal product availability aligned to seasonal cycles and promotional activity.
Minimum Requirements:
Grade 12 (essential)
Diploma or Degree in Agriculture, FoodScienceor 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.
Behavioural Competencies and Technical Skills
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.
Category StrategyandCommercial Performance
Execute a forward-thinking Fresh Produce category strategy aligned to customer demand, seasonality, and business growthobjectives
Drive sales, gross margin, and category contribution through effective assortment planning, pricing architecture, and promotional optimisation.
Identifynew opportunities for value-addedproducelines, convenience packs, and seasonal product ranges to enhance competitiveness.
Monitor market trends, customer buying behaviour, and competitor activity to inform category development.
Product Quality, FreshnessandCustomer 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 andmaintainquality integrity.
Support development of value-addedproduceofferings (cut fruit, prepared vegetables, convenience packs) aligned to customer needs.
Oversee training, management, and implementation of in-store processes(ISP)in thereworking and recyclingofstock 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 ExcellenceandStore Enablement
Provideoperational 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 tomaintainfreshness.
Monitor store compliance with food safety standards, hygiene requirements, and product handling procedures.
Identifyand address margin leakage linked to shrinkage, poor stock rotation, over-ordering, or product damage.
Oversee the implementation of allStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs)across stores to support operational consistency, compliance, and efficiency.
Support new store openings, store refurbishments, and fresh produce layout optimisation.
Data AnalyticsandPerformance Insights
Analyse sales, margin, waste, and stock holding performance toidentifytrends, risks, and growth opportunities.
Use commercial data to produce actionable insights that inform category decisions and store performance improvement.
Track promotional effectiveness, seasonal activity performance, and return on investment.
Develop dashboards and performance scorecards to support store accountability and highlight best practice.
Monitor shrinkage and waste reporting toidentifyoperational improvement opportunities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Buying and Supply Chain teams to ensureoptimalproduct availability and efficient stock flow.
Work with Marketing to plan and execute seasonal campaigns and promotional activity.
Participate in product evaluations, supplier engagements, and category reviews.
Act as the key liaison between Support Office and Stores for Fresh Produce execution and standards.
Merchandising and Standards
Support implementation of planograms and visual merchandising standards for the Fresh Produce department.
Ensure storesmaintainstrong product presentation, display rotation, and signage standards.
Assistwith distribution of operational manuals, display guides, and merchandising standards across stores.
Gather store feedback to continuously improve product assortment, displays, and operational efficiency.
Administrative Support
Assistwith promotional planning andmonitorexecution through performance reporting.
Compile sales, waste, and operational performance reports for the category team.
Leadership Impact
Mentor and coach store teams on fresh produce handling, merchandising excellence, and commercial performance.
Foster a culture of accountability around freshness, availability, and waste reduction.
Influence cross-functional stakeholders to deliver integrated Fresh Foods category solutions.
Closing date - 29 May 2026
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!
Discover who we are
Welcome to Pick n Pay, where family values and customer-centricity converge to create an unparalleled shopping experience. Since 1967, when the visionary Raymond Ackerman championed the cause of consumers by acquiring the first few stores, the Ackerman family's dedication has steered our journey of growth and expansion.
Today, Pick n Pay stands tall across South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Lesotho, embodying our commitment to serving communities far and wide. Additionally, we proudly hold a 49% share in TM Supermarkets, a Zimbabwean retail giant, further extending our reach and impact.
Our core offering spans groceries, clothing, and general merchandise, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers. But our dedication doesn't stop there. We go beyond the ordinary, offering value-added services that align with the evolving expectations of our patrons.
The Group strives to address socio-economic challenges through the supply of high-quality, affordable food for all customers, while providing significant employment and economic opportunities across its value chain.
To ensure utmost convenience and accessibility, Pick n Pay operates through various store formats, including both franchised and owned establishments. Whether you step into our stores for a quick grocery run or a leisurely shopping spree, expect nothing less than a seamless and enriching experience at Pick n Pay—the quintessential family store focused on you, our valued customer.
