Operations Manager - Floriculture at Bridge Talent Management

Key Responsibilities

Export Planning & Forecasting

• Work closely with the Farm Manager to obtain projected flower production and export volumes.
• Develop export forecasts based on farm production, buyer requirements, orders, and market demand.
• Understand buyer requirements and translate them into practical production and export plans.
• Monitor available flower volumes, quality, specifications, and readiness for export.
• Maintain regular communication with international buyers following communication and direction from the COO.
• Coordinate closely with the farm to ensure production plans are aligned with confirmed and anticipated orders.

Logistics & Export Operations

• Manage end-to-end logistics of flowers from the farm to the airport and onward to international destinations.
• Coordinate clearing, forwarding, transportation, cold-chain logistics, and airport cargo handling.
• Work closely with airlines, cargo handlers, clearing agents, transporters, and other logistics partners to ensure timely dispatch.
• Monitor airline schedules, cargo capacity, flight changes, and potential disruptions that may affect exports.
• Ensure flowers are handled and transported within the required timelines and conditions.
• Identify and resolve logistical challenges that may affect export schedules or product quality.

Airport Cargo & Export Documentation

• Coordinate flower deliveries and cargo operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
• Manage and verify export documentation, including Airway Bills (AWBs) and related shipping documentation.
• Ensure export documentation is accurate, complete, and available within required timelines.
• Liaise with clearing and forwarding agents and relevant airport stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable export, customs, cargo handling, and aviation requirements.
• Maintain proper records of shipments, documentation, and export transactions.

Farm & Operational Coordination

• Maintain close visibility of activities at the farm and ensure operational issues affecting exports are identified early.
• Coordinate with the Farm Manager on production, harvesting, packing, dispatch readiness, and projected export volumes.
• Monitor the availability of flowers against buyer orders and export forecasts.
• Coordinate operational purchases and requirements with the relevant teams.
• Ensure timely communication between the farm, Nairobi office, logistics partners, and management.
• Conduct regular farm visits to monitor operations and resolve emerging issues.

Stakeholder & Buyer Coordination

• Maintain professional relationships with international buyers, logistics partners, clearing agents, airlines, and other operational stakeholders.
• Follow up on buyer requirements and ensure they are communicated accurately to the relevant teams.
• Coordinate with Finance and Accounts on payments, logistics costs, purchases, and other operational requirements.
• Work closely with the COO and Managing Director on operational priorities and export planning.
• Provide management with regular updates on production, export volumes, shipments, logistics challenges, and operational performance.

Office & Administrative Operations

• Oversee the smooth day-to-day running of the Nairobi office from an operational perspective.
• Maintain accurate operational records, shipment files, buyer information, forecasts, and logistics documentation.
• Coordinate internal communication between the Nairobi office and farm.
• Support basic employee coordination and ensure operational teams have the resources required to perform effectively.
• Assist management with operational reporting and other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agribusiness, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in floriculture, flower exports, logistics, supply chain, or agricultural export operations.
• Proven experience coordinating flower exports and airport cargo operations.
• Good understanding of cold-chain logistics and perishable goods handling.
• Experience working with international buyers, airlines, clearing agents, freight forwarders, and logistics providers.
• Strong knowledge of export documentation, including Airway Bills and customs/clearing documentation.
• Good understanding of the Kenyan flower export ecosystem and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Strong forecasting, planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to work under tight timelines and manage time-sensitive export operations.
• Willingness to travel regularly between the Nairobi office, farm, airport, and other operational locations.

Core Competencies

• Strong operations and logistics management
• Export planning and forecasting
• Floriculture and perishable goods knowledge
• Buyer and stakeholder relationship management
• Strong attention to detail and documentation
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Excellent communication and coordination
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Proactive and hands-on approach to operations
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism