- The Supply Chain Coordinator is responsible for managing all procurement and supply chain operations, with a hybrid work location between Mbinga and Dar es Salaam. This role manages a team of procurement officers, coordinates parchment warehouse operations from receiving through milling, and maintains critical stakeholder relationships with cooperatives, third-party mills, and government entities. The position requires strong leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to deliver accurate market intelligence while ensuring quality standards, compliance, and timely movement of coffee inventory.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and manage the procurement team in Mbinga region, Tanzania
- Set clear performance objectives, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide coaching to ensure team development
- Ensure team compliance with company policies, quality standards, and operational procedures
- Build a high-performing team culture aligned with Sucafina's values
Parchment Warehouse Operations Management
- Oversee complete warehouse operations including receiving parchment coffee, quality inspection, storage, and stock management
- Ensure all incoming parchment meets company quality specifications (moisture content, defect count, screen size, etc.)
- Coordinate milling operations at partner mills, ensuring timely processing within agreed timelines
- Maintain accurate inventory records for parchment, green coffee, jute bags, grain pro bags, and other materials
- Implement proper warehouse management practices to minimize quality deterioration and losses
Procurement & Price Negotiations
- Lead price negotiations with cooperatives for coffee procurement from company-owned parchment warehouse and third-party mills
- Develop and execute procurement strategies to achieve volume and quality targets for the region
- Ensure competitive pricing while maintaining profitability and quality standards
- Monitor and manage procurement budgets and cost controls
Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with cooperatives to ensure long-term supply relationships and loyalty
- Manage relationships with third-party mills to ensure timely milling, quality standards, and fair business practices
- Engage with government entities including Tanzania Coffee Board, local authorities, and regulatory bodies
- Coordinate with the logistics team to ensure smooth stock transfers and movements
- Resolve disputes and address stakeholder concerns professionally and promptly
Loss Management & Inventory Control
- Monitor and report curing losses from milling operations at third-party mills
- Track weight losses during stock transfers and coordinate claims recovery with mills
- Prepare regular inventory reports covering company warehouse stock, third-party warehouse holdings, and materials (jute bags, grain pro bags)
- Implement controls to minimize losses and optimize inventory turnover
- Conduct regular stock reconciliations and physical counts
Data Management & System Compliance
- Ensure accurate and timely recording of all purchases, milling activities, and stock transfers in the ERP system
- Maintain complete documentation for all transactions including contracts, delivery notes, quality reports, and payment records
- Ensure compliance with CESS payment tracking and government reporting requirements
- Prepare and submit regular reports on procurement volumes, inventory levels, quality metrics, and financial performance.
Market Intelligence & Reporting
- Gather and analyze market intelligence including competitor pricing, procurement volumes, and market trends
- Provide regular updates to management on regional market conditions, supply availability, and price movements
- Identify opportunities and risks in the regional coffee market
- Support commercial decision-making with timely and accurate market data
- Ensure 100% compliance with government regulations including CESS payments, export licenses, and local requirements
- Maintain quality standards throughout the procurement and milling process
- Ensure traceability and proper documentation for sustainability and certification requirements
- Implement and monitor adherence to company policies and procedures
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure 100% compliance with government regulations including CESS payments, export licenses, and local requirements
- Maintain quality standards throughout the procurement and milling process
- Ensure traceability and proper documentation for sustainability and certification requirements
- Implement and monitor adherence to company policies and procedures
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Achievement of regional procurement volume targets (MT)
- Coffee quality metrics (rejection rate, quality score compliance)
- Curing loss percentage and loss recovery rate
- Timeliness of milling operations (% milled within agreed timelines)
- Inventory accuracy rate (monthly reconciliation variance)
- Data entry accuracy and timeliness in ERP system
- Number and strength of cooperative partnerships maintained
- Stakeholder satisfaction and relationship quality
- CESS payment compliance (100% tracking and documentation)
- Team performance and development metrics
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Experience
- Minimum 2-3 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, or agricultural commodity trading – experience in coffee is a plus
- At least 3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role
- Proven experience in warehouse and inventory management
- Strong track record in stakeholder management and relationship building
- Experience working with cooperatives and agricultural suppliers preferred
- Knowledge of coffee processing, quality assessment, and grading systems is preferred
- Experience in the East African coffee industry is highly desirable
Technical Competences
- Strong understanding of arabica coffee quality parameters, processing methods (wet and dry milling), and grading standards
- Proficiency in inventory management and stock control systems
- Experience with ERP/trading systems
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
- Strong negotiation and commercial acumen
- Financial literacy including budget management and cost control
- Quality control and assurance methodologies
- Understanding of Tanzanian coffee regulations, CESS payments, and export procedures
- Knowledge of sustainable sourcing practices and certification requirements
Other requirements
- Languages: Fluent in English and Swahili (written and spoken)
- Travel: Extensive travel within Mbinga region in Tanzania required (up to 60-70% of time in the field)
- Office Location: Based in Mbinga, Tanzania with regular visits to procurement sites, cooperatives, and mills
- Physical Requirements: Ability to work in warehouse environments and rural field locations
- Valid driver's license
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- High integrity and ethical standards
- Problem-solving mindset with strong attention to detail
- Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic agricultural environment
