Supply Chain Manager – Fresh Produce Export

About the role

We are looking for an experienced, hands‑on Supply Chain Manager to develop and manage the end‑to‑end supply chain for a large‑scale fresh produce operation in East Africa. The role covers movement of fresh produce from farm through to overseas customers, including inland transport, fleet operations, warehousing, cold chain, reefer containers, ports, shipping lines and export logistics.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the complete supply chain from farm dispatch to destination port or overseas customer.
• Coordinate transport between farms, packhouses, warehouses, container depots and ports.
• Oversee shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs agents, transport providers and port operators.
• Handle reefer container bookings, positioning, inspections, stuffing and return.
• Control vessel schedules, cut‑off times, transit times and export documentation.
• Maintain the cold chain throughout inland transport, storage, port handling and sea freight.
• Monitor temperature settings, reefer performance and controlled‑atmosphere requirements.
• Manage warehousing, stock control, dispatch, traceability and inventory reconciliation.
• Control demurrage, detention, storage and other logistics costs.
• Optimize transport fleet utilization, fuel consumption, maintenance and availability.
• Develop contingency plans for delays, equipment failures, port congestion and shipping disruption.
• Negotiate with logistics suppliers and manage commercial agreements.

Required profile

• 5–10 years’ experience in supply chain, logistics or export operations.
• Proven fresh produce export experience, preferably bananas.
• Strong knowledge of reefer containers and temperature‑controlled logistics.
• Experience working directly with shipping lines, ports, freight forwarders and inland transporters.
• Knowledge of export documentation, customs procedures and Incoterms.
• Demonstrated ability to develop or significantly improve supply chain operations.
• Strong commercial and cost‑management skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a genuine willingness to relocate permanently to East Africa.

Required skills

• Advanced Excel
• ERP systems
• Transport‑management software
• Shipment‑tracking systems