Career story

Produce import manager

Jamie Russ' career has undergone many transformations - from unloading vans to selling produce imported from all around the world, including California, Peru, Ecuador and Chile. Today, Jamie's customers are many and varied, and include large supermarkets and smaller fruit and vegetable shops.

"Some of the bigger independent chains I deal with have buying teams, as do the supermarkets. In the smaller shops it can be the actual owner/operator that handles the buying," he says. "I deal with a huge amount of people and relationships are very important in my role. It's a simple business. If you get on well with each of those buyers, look after them and give them what they want, then this will be reciprocated by them purchasing from you."

Jamie does more than just sell fruit, he also liaises with the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry regularly, oversees the distribution of stock, checks on the quality of the produce and manages staff. Working with a wide range of people, having many tasks on the go and solving new problems are all things that appeal to Jamie in his job.

"There are so many variables that affect what I do. We are dealing with a perishable product and things are always changing; the market changes and situations change regularly. Each day can be quite different - I don't get days that are boring."