National Partnerships Manager

Fresh Markets Australia | ‘A better choice!’
Melbourne-based | National role | Flexible working environment

Build partnerships. Create opportunities. Grow something with national impact.

Fresh Markets Australia is looking for a commercially driven relationship builder to lead the growth of partnerships, advertising and new business opportunities for ‘A better choice!’, our national consumer-facing program supporting independent fruit and vegetable retailers across Australia.

This isn't a role where you'll inherit a portfolio and simply keep things ticking along.

We are looking for someone who can spot commercial opportunities, start the right conversations and turn strong ideas into partnerships that deliver measurable value.

If you get genuine satisfaction from creating an opportunity from scratch and seeing it through to close, we would love to hear from you.

The opportunity

Reporting to the National Program Manager, you will own the end-to-end commercial partnership and business development cycle for ‘A better choice!’, with clear accountability for revenue, margin, partner retention and growth.

You will identify and pursue opportunities across growers, brands, suppliers, industry bodies, service providers and other organisations aligned with the fresh produce sector.

Your work will span prospecting, discovery, proposal development, pitching and negotiation, through to coordinating delivery with our state teams and identifying the next opportunity with an existing partner.

You’ll also lead the commercial growth of ‘A better choice!’ magazine and develop integrated opportunities across print, digital, content, sampling, events and retail activation.

This is a hands-on role. You'll have autonomy, but you'll also be part of a national network of people who care deeply about the industry and the program's success.

What you'll be doing

You'll be responsible for:

• building and maintaining a strong pipeline of new partnership and advertising opportunities;

• proactively identifying, approaching and developing prospective partners;

• leading commercial conversations from initial contact and discovery through to proposal, negotiation and close;

• developing creative partnership solutions that connect partner objectives with the ‘A better choice!’ audience, channels and retailer network;

• leading the growth of advertising and integrated commercial opportunities associated with ‘A better choice!’ magazine;

• identifying opportunities to expand existing relationships and convert one-off activity into longer-term partnerships;

• working closely with national and state stakeholders to scope, coordinate and deliver high-quality partnership activations, with clear responsibilities, timelines and commercial outcomes;

• overseeing partner delivery, reporting and post-campaign reviews to demonstrate value, strengthen retention and identify further growth opportunities;

• helping refine partnership packages, pricing, sales materials and go-to-market approaches based on partner needs and commercial performance;

• maintaining accurate pipeline, forecasting and commercial records, supported by regular performance reporting;

• owning and delivering agreed revenue, margin, partner-retention and growth targets; and

• representing Fresh Markets Australia and ‘A better choice!’ at industry meetings, events, market visits and conferences.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for a business developer first and foremost.

You know how to build relationships, but you're equally comfortable asking for the business.

You'll be able to demonstrate that you have personally created opportunities, developed a pipeline and converted relationships into commercial outcomes.

You may come from partnerships, sponsorship, advertising or media sales, business development, FMCG, food and beverage, agriculture, retail or another commercially focused environment.

More important than having worked in the fresh produce industry before is your ability to understand a market, find an opportunity and make something happen.

You'll bring:

• demonstrated success in B2B business development, partnership, sponsorship, advertising or commercial sales;

• a track record of generating and closing new business rather than relying solely on an inherited portfolio;

• strong commercial judgement and confidence discussing value, pricing and commercial terms;

• the ability to develop a compelling solution rather than simply sell from a fixed product list;

• confidence engaging and presenting to senior decision-makers;

• strong relationship and stakeholder-management skills;

• resilience, initiative and the discipline to follow opportunities through;

• excellent written and verbal communication; and

• the ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with stakeholders across Australia.

Experience within fresh produce, agriculture, FMCG, food and beverage, retail, media, industry associations or member-based organisations would be highly regarded, but it isn't essential.

Why this role?

Because there is genuinely something to build.

You’ll build on an established national partnership portfolio, supported by strong industry relationships, trusted channels and national credibility, while leading its next phase of revenue and margin growth.

You’ll have the scope to explore new sectors and partnership models and directly influence the program’s future commercial growth.

This is a Melbourne-based role within a flexible working environment, balancing time with the team and stakeholders.

The role also involves reasonable interstate travel and occasional attendance at industry events outside ordinary business hours.

About us

Fresh Markets Australia is the national industry body representing wholesalers and supporting businesses operating through Australia's central fruit and vegetable markets.

Our national consumer-facing program, ‘A better choice!’, encourages Australians to buy fresh produce through independent fruit and vegetable retailers and supports the central market system that supplies them.

It brings together retailers, wholesalers, growers, industry partners and state-based programs around a simple idea—supporting Australia’s independent fresh produce industry and helping consumers make ‘A better choice!’.

Interested?

If you’re commercially driven and enjoy turning opportunities into meaningful, high-value partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply with your résumé and a brief cover letter telling us about the commercial relationships you've built, the opportunities you've created and the results you've delivered.