Global Waste & Yield Manager bei Westfalia Fruit

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.

With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

We’re looking for a Global Waste & Yield Manager to join our team globally.

The Global Waste & Yield Manager is accountable for maximising product yield and minimising waste across the entire end-to-end (E2E) value chain – from supplier to customer. This role sits within the Global Supply Chain function and reports to the Chief Supply Chain Officer, supporting our global ambition to deliver sustainable value creation through operational excellence. 

This is a newly created global role with a broad and strategic remit: defining a holistic framework for identifying, tracking, and reducing waste (including yield loss and margin erosion), setting performance benchmarks, and driving improvement programmes across all markets and functions. The scope of waste includes: 

• Inbound losses (e.g. supplier yield loss, vendor claims, trading below margin threshold) 
• Internal losses (e.g. packhouse yield, logistics inefficiencies) 
• Outbound losses (e.g. order substitution, customer rejection, pricing/margin dilution) 
• Waste outlets (e.g. maximising usage of non-grade 1 fruit via guacamole/oil processing) 

The role will require strong cross-functional collaboration with Procurement, Quality, Logistics, Operations, Customer, and Finance teams to accurately identify and quantify waste, implement initiatives, and measure financial and operational impact. 

Travel Requirements

• There is potential for travel to Westfalia offices across Europe to fulfil the requirements of this role successfully.

Responsibilities include:

• Own the Global Waste & Yield Strategy - Lead the development and execution of a global framework to identify, measure, and reduce waste across the entire supply chain.
• Shape the Future - Design and deliver a multi-year roadmap to boost yield performance and cut financial losses.
• Lead a Global Programme - Build and implement a standardised programme to manage waste and yield across all markets, with consistent tools and reporting.
• Deliver Measurable Results - Track savings, set annual targets, and link outcomes directly to EBITDA in collaboration with Finance teams.
• Drive Cross-Functional Excellence - Partner with global leads in Procurement, Logistics, Operations, and more to embed best practices and root cause strategies.
• Facilitate Performance Governance - Embed structured waste/yield reviews into key governance forums and drive continuous improvement.
• Equip Teams for Success - Create and deploy a Waste & Yield Playbook, complete with diagnostic tools and intervention strategies.
• Build Capability & Culture - Train global/local teams and foster a strong community of practice focused on continuous yield optimisation.
• Lead Change & Communication - Inspire cross-functional ownership through compelling campaigns, education, and clear performance visibility.
• Be the Sustainability Champion - Champion yield improvement as a core lever for environmental sustainability and financial efficiency.

Requirements

Experience we look for:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Food Science, Engineering, Agriculture, or related field.
• Experience in food/agri supply chains with a focus on quality, logistics, operations, or commercial optimisation.
• Proven track record of leading company-wide yield improvement, waste reduction, or performance optimisation programmes.
• Experience working in matrixed, global organisations across multiple functions and geographies.
• Deep knowledge of food quality and safety, supply chain processes, and operational improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, capable of linking process performance to P&L outcomes.
• High-level analytical skills: ability to model, benchmark, and interpret performance data across multiple inputs and outputs.
• Excellent project and change management capabilities – particularly driving non-hierarchical collaboration.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, with the ability to influence across functions and cultures.
• Comfortable designing and implementing global toolkits, templates, and training programmes.
• A proactive change leader with the ability to challenge the status quo constructively.
• Strong communicator – both verbal and written – with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences.
• Influential and persuasive without relying on authority.
• Resilient and adaptive; comfortable working through ambiguity to deliver results.
• High integrity, attention to detail, and a commitment to sustainability and long-term value creation.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and culturally aware.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Food Science, Engineering, Agriculture, or related field.
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification advantageous.
• Experience within the fresh producesector strongly preferred.

Benefits

What can Westfalia Fruit offer you?

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that will vary by location. Full details will be shared as part of the interview process.

• Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Be part of a global organisation recognised as a leader in fresh produce.
• Join a purpose-driven company committed to sustainability and innovation.
• Contribute to an industry leader at the forefront of fresh produce innovation.

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.