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.
Benefits
Competitive salary with performance-based bonus
Opportunity to work in a global commodity environment
Exposure to international markets and leading industry players
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