In PersonInternational travel to origins, suppliers, customers and industry events is required.
About the job
Requirements
At least five years of relevant experience in physical green coffee trading, origination or a closely related soft-commodity trading role.
Proven hands-on green coffee origination experience in Ethiopia, supported by an active network of credible exporters, cooperatives, washing stations or producers.
Strong knowledge of Ethiopian coffee regions, crop calendars, grades, quality profiles, differentials, local purchasing practices and export logistics.
Demonstrated ownership of physical positions, trading profit and loss, forward books and mark-to-market reporting.
Practical experience using coffee futures to hedge physical exposure and protect trading margins.
Strong understanding of physical commodity contracts, logistics, quality specifications, Incoterms, trade finance and counterparty risk.
Established commercial relationships in Ethiopia and the wider East African coffee market.
Strong numerical, analytical and Microsoft Excel skills, with the ability to turn market information into clear trading decisions.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with operational teams.
Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to negotiate across cultures and markets.
Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, supply chain or another relevant discipline.
Willingness to travel internationally to origins, suppliers, customers and industry events.
Responsibilities
Develop and execute the green coffee trading strategy for assigned origins, products and customer markets.
Lead Ethiopia origination by developing reliable supply channels with exporters, cooperatives, washing stations, producers and other approved origin partners.
Maintain current knowledge of Ethiopian crop cycles, producing regions, grades, quality differentials, availability, local market dynamics and export requirements.
Build and maintain relationships with producers, exporters, merchants, roasters and other commercial counterparties.
Originate physical coffee and negotiate purchase and sales contracts, including price, quality, delivery, payment and Incoterms.
Maintain the position book, forward book and daily profit and loss, ensuring accurate mark-to-market valuations and timely reporting.
Hedge price exposure using appropriate futures and other approved instruments within authorised trading and risk limits.
Manage inventory, open positions and contractual exposures to protect margins and minimise basis, price, counterparty and execution risk.
Coordinate with operations, logistics, quality, finance, trade finance and legal teams to ensure accurate and timely contract execution.
Follow shipments, documents, claims, receivables and collections through to completion, escalating issues promptly.
Identify new routes, origins, customers and product opportunities that can deliver sustainable volume and gross margin.
Prepare forecasts, budgets, market reports and commercial recommendations for senior management.
Comply with internal policies, counterparty limits, sanctions requirements, anti-bribery controls and applicable trading regulations.
Deliver profitable trading performance against agreed volume and gross-margin objectives.
Maintain accurate daily position, profit and loss and mark-to-market reporting.
Comply with approved risk, credit and counterparty limits.
Ensure timely contract execution, shipment performance and collection of receivables.
Grow sustainable supplier and customer relationships and develop viable new trading routes.
Desired Qualifications
A postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
Role purpose
The Coffee Trader will develop and manage profitable physical green coffee business, with a particular focus on origination from Ethiopia. The role owns the trading cycle from origin development, market analysis and customer development through pricing, hedging, contract execution, logistics coordination, collection and final P&L. The successful candidate will combine a strong Ethiopian sourcing network with commercial initiative, disciplined risk management and close cross-functional execution.
Key responsibilities
Develop and execute the green coffee trading strategy for assigned origins, products and customer markets.
Lead Ethiopia origination by developing reliable supply channels with exporters, cooperatives, washing stations, producers and other approved origin partners.
Maintain current knowledge of Ethiopian crop cycles, producing regions, grades, quality differentials, availability, local market dynamics and export requirements.
Build and maintain relationships with producers, exporters, merchants, roasters and other commercial counterparties.
Originate physical coffee and negotiate purchase and sales contracts, including price, quality, delivery, payment and Incoterms.
Maintain the position book, forward book and daily P&L, ensuring accurate mark-to-market valuations and timely reporting.
Hedge price exposure using appropriate futures and other approved instruments, operating within authorised trading and risk limits.
Manage inventory, open positions and contractual exposures to protect margins and minimise basis, price, counterparty and execution risk.
Coordinate closely with operations, logistics, quality, finance, trade finance and legal teams to ensure accurate and timely contract execution.
Follow shipments, documents, claims, receivables and collections through to completion, escalating issues promptly.
Identify new routes, origins, customers and product opportunities that can deliver sustainable volume and gross margin.
Prepare forecasts, budgets, market reports and commercial recommendations for senior management.
Comply with internal policies, counterparty limits, sanctions requirements, anti-bribery controls and applicable trading regulations.
Candidate profile
At least five years of relevant experience in physical green coffee trading, origination or a closely related soft-commodity trading role.
Proven hands-on green coffee origination experience in Ethiopia is essential, supported by an active network of credible exporters, cooperatives, washing stations or producers.
Strong knowledge of Ethiopian coffee regions, crop calendars, grades, quality profiles, differentials, local purchasing practices and export logistics.
Demonstrated ownership of physical positions, trading P&L, forward books and mark-to-market reporting.
Practical experience using coffee futures to hedge physical exposure and protect trading margins.
Strong understanding of physical commodity contracts, logistics, quality specifications, Incoterms, trade finance and counterparty risk.
Established commercial relationships in Ethiopia and the wider East African coffee market.
Strong numerical, analytical and Excel skills, with the ability to turn market information into clear trading decisions.
Commercially confident, disciplined and able to work independently while collaborating effectively with operational teams.
Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to negotiate across cultures and markets.
Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, supply chain or another relevant discipline. A postgraduate qualification is advantageous.
Willingness to travel internationally to origins, suppliers, customers and industry events.
Success measures
Profitable trading performance against agreed volume and gross-margin objectives.
Accurate daily position, P&L and mark-to-market reporting.
Compliance with approved risk, credit and counterparty limits.
Timely contract execution, shipment performance and collection of receivables.
Growth of sustainable supplier and customer relationships and development of viable new trading routes.
Personal attributes
Commercially driven and entrepreneurial, with sound judgement, integrity and a disciplined approach to risk. Comfortable taking ownership, working at pace and remaining close to the operational detail required to turn a trade into realised cash and margin.
· Competitive salary with performance-based bonus.
· Opportunity to work in a global commodity environment.
· Exposure to international markets and leading industry players.
· Career development in a fast-growing trading team.