Procurement/Grower Relations Professional (Berries)

Meridian Fine Foods•Fresno, CA

34d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Procurement / Grower Relations Professional that has experience and connections in the Fresh Berry Industry to support procurement operations and grower relationships across multiple regions included, but not limited to US, Mexico, Peru, Chile, etc. This role is essential in securing consistent, high-quality supply of berries, managing harvest programs, ensuring timely logistics, and overseeing inventory and packaging material coordination. The Specialist will also play a key role in providing the necessary information for preparing grower settlements and managing post-harvest communications. This position is based in Fresno, CA, and requires in-office hours as well as approximately 40% travel both domestically and internationally . We offer competitive pay, comprehensive BENEFITS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY , and a generous vacation package after 90 days to support a work-life balance. Our team thrives in a positive, collaborative culture where your contributions are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your well-being matters.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
2–4 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or grower coordination in the fresh produce industry.
Strong communication skills in English; Spanish proficiency.
Strong Excel and administrative skills; familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Famous) is a plus.
Willingness and availability to travel approximately 40% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

Grower Coordination & Relationship Support Support day-to-day communication and coordination with existing and prospective berry growers.
Conduct field visits to monitor crop development, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling practices.
Assist in onboarding new growers and ensuring compliance with company standards and protocols.
Maintain organized grower records, certifications, and contact logs.
Sourcing & Seasonal Planning Help execute sourcing strategies across all berry categories (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries).
Collect and update weekly forecasts and availability from growers to support supply planning.
Work closely with procurement and sales teams to align grower supply with customer programs and shipping plans.
Track seasonal coverage and support regional diversification of sourcing.
Preseason Program Support & Documentation Assist with the preparation of seasonal grower agreements, volume commitments, and program terms.
Ensure accurate setup of grower profiles, shipping information, and documentation in internal systems.
Track commitments and help flag any deviations or capacity issues.
Logistics & Packaging Coordination Coordinate shipment schedules with growers and logistics teams to ensure timely pickups and deliveries.
Verify that packaging, labeling, and pallet configurations meet customer specifications.
Work closely with the operations team to ensure proper delivery and usage of clamshells, master cartons, labels, and other packaging materials.
Monitor inventory levels of packaging materials and follow up with suppliers, growers, and internal teams to avoid shortages or overstock.
Track packaging usage by grower and support reconciliation at season’s end.
Quality & Compliance Work with quality assurance teams to track inspection results and communicate findings to growers.
Ensure growers maintain valid certifications (e.g. Organic, GlobalGAP, SMETA) and help manage expiration alerts.
Document and escalate product quality issues as needed for resolution and reporting.
Settlements & Grower Returns Assist in preparing grower settlement reports, validating received volumes, prices, deductions, and returns.
Coordinate with finance to ensure accurate and timely payments to growers.
Communicate settlement results to growers and address questions or discrepancies.
Support transparent documentation and reporting of grower returns throughout the season.
Inventory Management & Reporting Monitor and follow up on berry inventory at cold storages, in-transit, and received at destination.
Reconcile grower inventory against shipment records to ensure accuracy and accountability.
Maintain updated internal databases for grower programs, harvest schedules, and product flow.
Support the generation of internal reports on procurement KPIs and sourcing performance.
Ensure traceability and documentation are complete and audit-ready.