Rosene Matthee
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
South Africa
Professional Overview
Rosene Matthee is a seasoned operations executive with over 18 years of experience in the fresh produce industry. As the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Zest Fruit, she is responsible for driving operational efficiency, optimizing supply chain processes, and ensuring the company's day-to-day operations align with its strategic objectives.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the COO of Zest Fruit since 2022, Rosene is instrumental in overseeing the company's end-to-end operations, including production planning, logistics, and quality control. Under her leadership, Zest Fruit has achieved a 15% improvement in on-time delivery, a 20% reduction in product wastage, and a 10% increase in customer satisfaction.
Rosene is also a Board Member at the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum, where she contributes her expertise to shaping industry policies and best practices.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Rosene held several senior positions in the fresh produce industry, including Commercial Marketing Director at Creation Fruit (Pty) Ltd, Head of Commercial Business Unit at Colors Fruit, and Business Manager at Univeg. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong track record of driving operational excellence, implementing innovative strategies, and fostering collaborative partnerships with customers and industry stakeholders.
Academic Background
Rosene holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing Management from the University of Stellenbosch, where she graduated with distinction.
Areas of Expertise
- Supply chain optimization
- Production planning and inventory management
- Quality assurance and compliance
- Stakeholder management and strategic partnerships
- Change management and process improvement
Professional Impact
Under Rosene's leadership, Zest Fruit has consistently outperformed industry benchmarks, earning a reputation for delivering high-quality produce and exceptional customer service. Her contributions to the Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum have helped shape industry standards and enhance the competitiveness of South African fresh produce exports.
Conclusion
With her extensive industry experience, proven operational expertise, and collaborative leadership style, Rosene Matthee is a valuable asset to Zest Fruit and the broader fresh produce industry in South Africa. As she continues to drive operational excellence and strategic growth, she is poised to make an even greater impact on the sector in the years to come.
