Job Role Summary:

Oversees and facilitates coffee trading activities. The Trade Manager plays a pivotal role in the success of the Organization by effectively managing the trading function, ensuring quality standards, and fostering relationships with stakeholders. This person contributes to the Organization’s overall growth and profitability in the coffee industry.

Department:

Trade

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports:

Trade Officer, Quality Officer, Settlement Officer, Trade Analyst

Job Location:

Nairobi with travel

Trading Strategy Development:

Develop and implement effective trading strategies aligned with the organization’s overall goals and market dynamics.

Analyze market trends, pricing structures, and supply-demand factors to inform trading decisions.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

Build and maintain strong relationships with coffee growers, traders, buyers, and other stakeholders in the coffee industry.

Negotiate and finalize trading agreements and contracts, ensuring mutually beneficial terms.

Quality Assurance:

Collaborate with staff doing quality analysis to ensure adherence to quality standards in coffee trading.

Implement measures to maintain and improve the overall quality of traded coffee.

Risk Management:

Identify and assess risks in trading activities, market fluctuations and external factors.

Develop risk mitigation strategies and implement safeguards to protect the organization's interests.

Market Research and Analysis:

Conduct thorough market research on global and regional coffee market trends.

Analyze competitor activities and market dynamics to identify opportunities and threats.

Market Expansion:

Explore opportunities for expanding market reach and identifying potential new traders.

Contribute to the organization's growth strategy by identifying and entering new markets.

Trade Execution and Monitoring:

Oversee the execution of trading activities from initiation to completion.

Work with the Clearing and Settlement Officer to ensure accurate and timely settlement of trades.

Collaboration with Quality Analysis:

Work with the staff doing quality analysis to communicate quality requirements to stakeholders.

Implement strategies to promote and maintain high-quality coffee trading.

Financial Analysis:

Conduct financial analysis, assess profitability and identify areas for improvement.

Ensure accurate financial reporting in trading operations.

Documentation and Compliance:

Document all trading activities, including contracts, invoices, and related paperwork.

Ensure compliance with local and international trading regulations and standards.

Market Expansion and Diversification:

Explore opportunities for market expansion and diversification of trading partners.

Identify new markets and potential collaborations to enhance the organization's market presence.

Team Leadership and Development:

Lead and inspire the team of Trade Officers and Analysts.

Guide and mentor team members to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Communication:

Update management on trading activities, market trends, and key performance indicators.

Represent the organization in industry events, conferences, and trade shows.

Continuous Improvement:

Identify opportunities for process improvement within the trading department.

Implement best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness in trading operations.

Collaboration with Finance:

Ensure accurate financial reporting in collaboration with the Finance Department.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such business, finance, economics, agricultural economics, or a relevant discipline. A master’s degree or additional certifications are desirable.

More Details on Experience

Over 7 years’ experience in commodity trading (pricing strategy, Market development, risk management and logistics) preferably within the coffee industry.

Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with coffee industry players.

Knowledge of international trade regulations and standards related to coffee.

Experience in understanding local and international coffee market dynamics.

Proficiency in relevant trading software and platforms.

A member of a professional body and in good standing.

More Details on Skills

Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret market data and trends.

Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to make quick decisions.

Terms And Conditions

Successful candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Chapter 6 of the constitution of Kenya by obtaining the necessary documents if need be.

• Develop and implement effective trading strategies aligned with the organization’s overall goals and market dynamics.
• Analyze market trends, pricing structures, and supply-demand factors to inform trading decisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with coffee growers, traders, buyers, and other stakeholders in the coffee industry.
• Negotiate and finalize trading agreements and contracts, ensuring mutually beneficial terms.
• Collaborate with staff doing quality analysis to ensure adherence to quality standards in coffee trading.
• Implement measures to maintain and improve the overall quality of traded coffee.
• Identify and assess risks in trading activities, market fluctuations and external factors.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and implement safeguards to protect the organization's interests.
• Conduct thorough market research on global and regional coffee market trends.
• Analyze competitor activities and market dynamics to identify opportunities and threats.
• Explore opportunities for expanding market reach and identifying potential new traders.
• Contribute to the organization's growth strategy by identifying and entering new markets.
• Oversee the execution of trading activities from initiation to completion.
• Work with the Clearing and Settlement Officer to ensure accurate and timely settlement of trades.
• Work with the staff doing quality analysis to communicate quality requirements to stakeholders.
• Implement strategies to promote and maintain high-quality coffee trading.
• Conduct financial analysis, assess profitability and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting in trading operations.
• Document all trading activities, including contracts, invoices, and related paperwork.
• Ensure compliance with local and international trading regulations and standards.
• Explore opportunities for market expansion and diversification of trading partners.
• Identify new markets and potential collaborations to enhance the organization's market presence.
• Lead and inspire the team of Trade Officers and Analysts.
• Guide and mentor team members to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Update management on trading activities, market trends, and key performance indicators.
• Represent the organization in industry events, conferences, and trade shows.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within the trading department.
• Implement best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness in trading operations.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting in collaboration with the Finance Department.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret market data and trends.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to make quick decisions.

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such business, finance, economics, agricultural economics, or a relevant discipline. A master’s degree or additional certifications are desirable.
• Over 7 years’ experience in commodity trading (pricing strategy, Market development, risk management and logistics) preferably within the coffee industry.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with coffee industry players.
• Knowledge of international trade regulations and standards related to coffee.
• Experience in understanding local and international coffee market dynamics.
• Proficiency in relevant trading software and platforms.
• A member of a professional body and in good standing.