Coffee Trader at Louis Dreyfus Company

Job Description

• Purchases and sales;
• Negotiate contracts covering price, quality, shipment periods, payment terms, and Incoterms (FOB).
• Develop and manage a portfolio of customers, including roasters, traders, and importers.
• Lead customer negotiations and strategic accounts
• Participate in origin travel, crop assessments, and producer visits
• Oversee execution of FOB contracts from confirmation through shipment
• Resolve shipment, quality, or contractual issues efficiently
• Provide market insights and price guidance to customers and internal teams
• Identify new opportunities and costumers
• Evaluate crop conditions, logistics constraints, and country-specific risks.
• Ensure accuracy of contracts, confirmations, and shipping instructions.
• Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, sanctions, and internal controls.
• Maintain accurate records of trades, contracts, and communications.
• Support audits and reporting requirements as needed.
• Assist in management of trade positions on behalf of Louis Dreyfus Commodities East Africa
• Assist in updating and maintaining trading PnL and reporting
• Follow up on late payments/potential client defaults
• Reporting to key platform personnel
• Port lineup monitoring
• Documentation and contractual approval/verification
• Monitoring of risk and credit terms

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience:

• Sound knowledge of Kenya coffee grades and qualities
• Understanding of Cash and Futures Markets
• Understanding of regional and global Coffee supply/demand
• Ability to get on well with people and relate to and handle various customers on different levels
• Good working knowledge of Excel (formulation/models) and Microsoft Office in general
• Good understanding of macro and microeconomics
• Knowledge of finance and accounting
• Ability to handle pressure and think quickly
• Ability to work efficiently and accurately
• Good mathematical knowledge

Qualifications

• University Degree in Business or related degree
• Good computer (excel) knowledge
• Background in agriculture useful
• Proficient in English.