Vice President Europe

Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

What's the role?

At Zespri, our Executive Team is the driving force behind our vision, strategy, culture, and values. As we pursue our ambitious 2035 strategy, we aim to achieve exceptional results by creating 'One Zespri.' This means leveraging the strengths, reach, and diversity of our global capabilities to solidify our position in the premium produce sector and continue our journey of excellence. We are dedicated to helping people, communities, and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. Our goal is to create sustainable long-term value for kiwifruit growers by offering consumers the world's leading portfolio of branded kiwifruit all year round.

As Vice President – Europe at Zespri, you will be a key member of our Extended Executive Team, leading market development, sales, distribution, and trade marketing functions within the European region. Based in Antwerp, you will provide on-the-ground leadership to market-based employees and collaborate with core support and other functional leaders to effectively execute Zespri's global strategy. This role is integral to our market-oriented network model, ensuring that Zespri's presence and impact continue to grow.

Key Accountabilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Team: Jointly set and drive the organisational vision and global strategy, providing leadership through role-modelling values and behaviours.
• Drive Efficiency and Effectiveness: Work closely with the President – Global Sales and other regional Vice Presidents to achieve short-term business plan results and long-term strategy goals.
• Execute Sales Strategy: Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration and agility in decision-making with regional Presidents, Executives, and other functional leaders.
• Optimise Orchard Gate Returns (OGRs): Focus on sales delivery, marketing, and in-market operational management, collaborating on inventory planning and overseeing end-of-season processes.
• Ensure Commercial and Operational Excellence: Align in-market investments to value creation, provide positive returns to Growers and Zespri’s bottom line, while ensuring compliance with local market regulations.
• Build a High-Performance Team: Develop a values-driven, high-performing team, fostering an environment of trust, openness, and healthy challenge, recognising team diversity and strengths.  

Who are you?

We are looking for a seasoned Executive Leader who has proven experience in leading regional teams and sales functions within large, complex organisations and can inspire with vision and operational excellence. To be successful in this role you will also have:

• Change Management expertise with a proven track record in organisational change management and operating model effectiveness.
• A demonstrated ability to deliver operational excellence and achieve targets.
• Outstanding interpersonal and leadership abilities, cultivating a cooperative and high-achieving global team environment. 
• Proven capability in developing new markets, achieving targets, and exceeding goals (preferably within FMCG, fresh produce industry, or multi-national companies).
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage, influence, and communicate across diverse stakeholder groups to achieve mutual outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of business process architecture and ability to develop, deploy, and utilise business performance measures to improve results.

Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 900+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation. 

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity
• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Additional paid volunteer day to volunteer within your community (Volunteer Time).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.

 Apply Now! Applications close 16 May 2025.

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.