Commercial Growth Lead

An innovative and rapidly growing export business in the fresh produce sector is seeking a commercially-minded Commercial Growth Lead to join their Cape Town team. This pivotal role sits at the intersection of procurement and sales, requiring a professional who can expertly balance the needs of local and international growers with a diverse customer base. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing high-quality specialty vegetables and tropical exotics while simultaneously identifying new market channels in the retail, wholesale, and hospitality sectors. This is an ideal opportunity for a proactive individual with a 'hunter' mentality to take ownership of a high-growth category and build a path toward senior leadership. Key Responsibilities Sales & Market Expansion: Proactively identify and develop new customer accounts across retail and wholesale sectors while managing existing relationships to identify upselling opportunities. Strategic Procurement: Source and secure premium specialty produce from a network of local and international farmers, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality goods. Relationship Management: Serve as the primary liaison between supply and demand, building long-term, trust-based partnerships with both growers and clients. Commercial Coordination: Manage the end-to-end order process, from preparing quotes and tracking preferences to coordinating complex logistics with distribution teams. Market Research: Monitor global food trends and chef demands to introduce innovative new product lines to the market. Financial Administration: Maintain precise records of supplier agreements, pricing, and orders to support accurate forecasting and planning. Requirements Professional Experience: 1–3 years of experience in a commercial, sales, or supply chain environment. Commercial Acumen: A solid understanding of margins, pricing structures, and trading dynamics. Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities for effective negotiation and stakeholder management. Operational Proficiency: Highly organised with the ability to multitask and maintain attention to detail in a high-pressure, fast-paced trading environment. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience specifically within the fresh produce or agricultural export industry. A proven track record in business development or procurement. Required Software Skills Microsoft Excel (Intermediate to Advanced). Microsoft Office Suite. Logistics or ERP software exposure. Benefits Career Progression: A clear development path with the potential to grow into a full Commercial Manager role. Incentive Structure: Performance-based bonuses directly tied to gross profit and category growth. Autonomy: An entrepreneurial work environment offering significant responsibility and the ability to influence company strategy