Manager - Food Service, Ice & Liquor

Lydford Logistics is one of Jamaica's premier agriculture and food processing facilities. We provide services to hotels, restaurants, and other institutions islandwide.

The Manager of Food Service, Ice & Liquor is responsible for the strategic growth and operational excellence of Lydford Logistics’ commercial food and beverage division. This role demands a unique blend of high-level sales leadership, rigorous financial oversight, and complex supply chain management. The successful candidate will drive market share across key categories (Proteins, Staples, and Beverages) while maintaining a lean, high-turnover inventory model and fostering deep relationships with Jamaica’s hospitality and retail sectors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sales Leadership & Market Expansion

• Market Dominance: Execute strategies to become the leading supplier for hotels, restaurants, institutions, and supermarkets in core categories: fries, oil, flour, rice, pasta, sparkling water, and meat products.

• New Product Introduction (NPI): Identify market gaps and successfully launch new product lines, managing the transition from "introduction" to "staple" within the Jamaican market.

• Channel Management: Optimize the sales funnel for diverse segments (Hotels/Tourism, Institutional Feeding, and Retail/Supermarkets).

2. Financial & Inventory Management

• Fiscal Accountability: Prepare and submit accurate monthly financial statements, ensuring transparent reporting on revenue, margins, and departmental health.

• Inventory Optimization: Manage a high-value inventory ranging from $50M to $200M, ensuring stock integrity and a disciplined 6-week turnover cycle.

• Depot Oversight: Manage and audit satellite locations and depots to ensure consistent service delivery and stock accuracy across the island.

3. Supplier & Relationship Management

• Supply Chain Optimization: Manage and nurture relationships with key global and local suppliers to ensure consistent stock flow and competitive pricing.

• Customer-Centric Solutions: Act as a "Solution Finder"—anticipating client needs and tailoring Lydford’s logistics and product mix to solve their specific business challenges.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in Sales and Commercial Management, with a heavy emphasis on the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector.

• Logistics Background: Proven history of managing satellite locations or regional depots.

• Market Expertise: Deep understanding of the Jamaican market complexities, including local distribution hurdles, seasonal demand in tourism, and institutional procurement cycles.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Anticipation: Ability to "see around corners" and prepare for market shifts or supply chain disruptions before they occur.

• Financial Literacy: Strong ability to interpret P&L statements, costing 'know-how', and use data to drive commercial decisions.

• The "3L" Mindset: A passion for agriculture and food processing, with a commitment to maintaining Lydford’s status as a premier logistics hub.

• Effective Communicator: Able to negotiate with international suppliers one hour and motivate a sales team the next.

Performance Indicators (KPIs)

1. Inventory Turnover: Achieve and maintain a 6-week stock rotation.

2. Market Share: Measurable growth in the "Top 5" product categories.

3. Financial Accuracy: 100% on-time submission of monthly financial reports.

4. Customer Retention: High "Net Promoter" status among key hotel and institutional accounts.