Global Head of Sales Excellence

Kō wai mātou? 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.

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Based in Singapore, this is a rare opportunity to lead the future of sales for one of New Zealand’s most recognised global brands. Reporting to the President, Greater China & APAC South, the Global Head of Sales Excellence will continue to shape Zespri’s global sales strategy, standards and capability agenda. Partnering closely with Regional Presidents and senior sales leaders, you will transform sales excellence into a sustainable competitive advantage by strengthening our commercial frameworks, capabilities, systems and ways of working across the globe.

With responsibility spanning sales strategy, customer investment, channels, distribution, capability and sales effectiveness, you will bridge global ambition with market execution to accelerate growth and deliver long-term value.

Key Responsbilities include:

• Setting and evolving Zespri’s global sales vision, strategy, priorities and standards in partnership with Regional Presidents and senior sales leaders.
• Chairing the Global Sales Leadership Team and building alignment across Zespri’s global and regional sales community.
• Developing a global sales scorecard with clear measures, insights and intervention plans to strengthen performance.
• Leading the global framework for customer funds, including planning, governance, capability, measurement and return on investment.
• Acting as a strategic partner and constructive challenger to markets through seasonal and five-year planning.
• Shaping channel, customer segmentation, route-to-market and distribution strategies that enable profitable, sustainable growth.
• Developing future-focused business models for existing and emerging channels, informed by retail, shopper and industry trends.
• Establishing global frameworks for trade and shopper marketing, including repeatable shopper activation models and perfect-store standards.
• Strengthening distributor management and strategic customer partnerships through clear frameworks, joint business planning and capability building.
• Leading the evolution of Zespri’s sales capability, including global learning programmes, tools and career development pathways.
• Driving greater consistency, efficiency and effectiveness across sales systems, processes, data, reporting and ways of working.
• Supporting the sales stream of Project Horizon to ensure future systems and processes enable Zespri’s global sales strategy.
• Partnering across Marketing, Finance, Supply, Operations, Sustainability, Innovation and Portfolio teams to deliver integrated commercial outcomes.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

The successful candidate will be an accomplished global sales leader who combines commercial depth, strategic foresight and a passion for building world-class sales organisations. You will bring the credibility to influence senior leaders, the curiosity to anticipate how customers, channels and retail environments are evolving, and the leadership capability to bring people together behind a clear global direction.

You will bring:

• More than ten years’ relevant experience in senior sales management roles within FMCG, fresh produce, food, retail or another consumer-led industry. 

• Experience across both local market sales roles and regional or global sales leadership positions.

• Significant experience designing and delivering sales strategies, operating models and sales excellence frameworks.

• Deep knowledge of go-to-market strategy, route-to-market models, channel structures, customer segmentation and distribution management.

• An ability to translate enterprise ambition into practical sales strategies, operating models and capabilities that deliver results across diverse markets.

• Strong experience in key account management, customer investment and sales force effectiveness.

• The ability to use data, technology (including AI) and commercial insight to improve sales strategy, execution and decision-making.

• A strong understanding of global retail and channel trends, including emerging and multichannel business models.

• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and leading through a complex, multinational and culturally diverse organisation.

• Strong people leadership, communication and capability-building skills.

• A tertiary qualification, with an MBA considered advantageous.

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ 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).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.

Apply Now! Applications close 5 October 2026.

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.

Agency

Zespri will not accept applications or contact from any temporary staffing agency, placement service or professional recruiter for this vacancy (“Agency”).

Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to fulfil a vacancy, we will proactively seek this support from our network of Agencies.  We respectfully ask that you do not contact Zespri or any of its affiliates/employees regarding vacancies, and reserve the right not to reply.

Zespri will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions or other payments related to such unsolicited resumes.