Commercial Coffee Mill Manager

Tatu City is a project by Rendeavour, Africa’s largest urban land developer, managing over 30,000 acres across several African countries. Rendeavour aims to develop infrastructure, living and working spaces, communities, schools, and hospitals to support Africa's economic growth and meet the aspirations of its middle class.

The Commercial Coffee Mill Manager will be responsible for the comprehensive oversight of dry milling operations, serving a varied client base that includes independent farmers, large estates, and cooperative societies. Key duties involve taking full custody of client property, optimizing milling yields (outturns), guaranteeing 100% batch traceability, and fostering strong customer relationships through transparent reporting. The manager is expected to enhance plant profitability while strictly adhering to Kenyan agricultural, environmental, labor, and safety statutes. This role requires a highly analytical, operationally rigorous, and commercially astute individual.

1. Oversee technical configuration of milling machinery to maximize premium coffee grades (AA, AB) and optimize overall recovery percentages for clients.
2. Strategically schedule mill runs during peak harvest seasons to optimize plant capacity, maximize commercial revenue, and minimize delivery truck turnaround times.
3. Manage tailored client requests, including specialized color-sorting, bespoke bagging/packaging, and handling certified coffees (e.g., Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance).
4. Implement foolproof operational protocols to prevent cross-contamination or mixing of distinct client lots.
5. Act as the primary technical liaison for cooperative boards and smallholders, hosting clients during milling sessions and delivering transparent, highly detailed milling reports.
6. Handle discrepancies between intake parchment weight, moisture analysis, and final green bean outturns using data-driven, auditable documentation.
7. Ensure full compliance with Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)/Coffee Directorate regulations, maintaining valid milling licenses and filing statutory returns accurately and on time.
8. Oversee waste management, dust emission control, and husk disposal protocols in strict alignment with NEMA guidelines.
9. Enforce comprehensive health and safety standards on the mill floor in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to maintain a zero-accident workplace.
10. Enforce compliance with food safety rules and regulations.
11. Implement rigorous and hands-on preventive maintenance schedules for heavy milling machinery (hullers, graders, density separators, color sorters) to eliminate downtime during peak season.
12. Ensure fleet maintenance, drivers’ job allocations, and tasks are managed effectively.
13. Assist in formulating annual OPEX and CAPEX budgets, managing labor allocations and shifting schedules dynamically to achieve plant profitability margins.

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Agri-business, Food Science and Technology/Agro-Processing/Post Harvest Technology/Agricultural/Bio-Systems/Industrial Engineering/Food Science & Biotechnology, or a closely related technical field.
2. Possess a minimum of 5–8 years of operations management experience in an industrial agricultural processing plant, with at least 3 years specifically within a commercial coffee dry mill.
3. Be proficient in the mechanical calibration of industrial sorting and milling equipment, capable of anticipating breakdowns, performing preventive maintenance with suitable OEM parts, and highly skilled in utilizing ERP/Inventory management software for real-time stock custody tracking.
4. Demonstrate exceptional negotiation and conflict-resolution skills, with a proven ability to present technical outturn data clearly to cooperative boards and smallholder representatives.