Grower Liaison Manager

Title: Grower Liaison Manager Reports to: Director of Global Sourcing Based at: Mucci International Marketing Inc., Kingsville, ON Revised: November 26, 2024 Type of Employment: Full-Time, permanent, 5 days a week; Monday through Friday, and some additional hours which may include Saturday’s and holidays, depending on workload and priorities. Job Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• The Grower Liaison Manager will oversee, develop, and maintain the Grower Liaison team as they grow the relationships with all growers for Mucci International Marketing Inc.
• The Grower Liaison position serves as a liaison between the company and growers
• Deliver industry knowledge, support, and services to liaisons to enable their business success and build on their success
• Continually work with Liaisons; seek to understand whattheir growers need.
• In conjunction with the Director of Global Sourcing, plan annual grower functions and develop liaison KPI’s
• Ensures the accuracy and maintenance of all grower records and contracts, for reporting
• Working in unison with the grower, liaison, and providing consultation on best horticulture practices including food safety, crop evaluation, harvest projections, and quality assurance (from Greenhouse to packaging)
• Understand and utilize grower relationships for contract set-up and maintenance, supply/cost evaluation and analysis, and harvest scheduling
• Initiate and develop a working relationship with all growers that ship produce to Mucci International Marketing Inc.
• Assist growers with recommendations of plant varieties
• Develop and execute a system that will provide daily feedback to individual growers on fruit quality and methods to increase quality, when applicable
• Assist in the optimal utilization of the Mucci packing facility by providing the commodity Planners with timely and accurate harvest projections that, at a minimum, should include information related to varieties, volume, quality and timing
• Develop a grower base to Support the required Sales Demands by commodity, quality and varieties in Canada, USA and Mexico
• Maintain a grower database with all pertinent information for current use and historical purposes
• Develop and execute grower contracts to fulfill requirements for volume and quality for defined Customer specifications
• Must be willing and able to travel as needed to support business needs
• Any other duties and responsibilities as required

Specific Activities:

• Assist in the development of the Supply needs to support Mucci Sales on a seasonal basis
• Search/Hunt for growers in Canada and Mexico
• Grower retention
• Communicate all Quality issues with growers and offer assistance to help with issue
• Forecasting weekly projections from growers and updating the planning sheets
• Ensure growers are using the IFOODS forecasting tool
• Work closely with dedicated Mucci grower with new seed varieties to improve over quality flavor and production
• Packaging Plan - Plan accordingly and Ensure growers are achieving and meeting their agreed weekly volumes
• Regular Grower Visits - every 2 weeks in Canada
• Grower performance tracking - week to week tracking of actual cases vs projected cases
• Settle Growers PO's Mexico and Canada (outside of Grower Pool) and track profitability
• Communication of quality issues to Growers
• Work closely with Commodity planners, Sales, Quality and Production Teams
• Attend various shows throughout the year
• Attend Mucci Farms planning session
• Update Grower database
• Travel as needed to various Growers in Canada, U.S., and Mexico
• Assist procurement team with intown purchases from Growers

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Completion of post-secondary education
• 4+ years of grower relations and/or produce management experience
• Self-farming or farm management background a plus
• Knowledge of tomato, cucumber, peppers production
• Must be able to communicate in a clear and concise manner, (written and verbal)
• Proven ability to motivate and effectively lead others
• Proven ability to bring a balance of energy, assertiveness, and drive when dealing with Growers

Physical Abilities:

• Must be able to sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time
• Must be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with body, arms, and/or legs
• Must be able to lift material regularly up to 14 kg/30 lbs; and occasionally up to 23 kg/ 50lbs
• Able to climb stairs and stand on feet for an extended period of time
• Work in a temperature-controlled environment of approximately 13 ˚C / 55 ˚F

Job Requirements: The incumbent will be committed to customer service excellence and leading by example. A positive attitude in the workplace is required as is the ability to adhere to all human resources, operational and food and health safety policies and procedures. Note: this description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder might differ from those outlined and other duties may be assigned. Mucci Farms welcomes and encourages applications with disabilities to apply. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require a specific accommodation due to a disability or documented medical need, please contact the Human Resource Department so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodation. Mucci Farms is achieving a culture and work environment that is supportive of employees with disabilities and promotes dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.