Tupande Biochar Production Senior Coordinator (Fixed-Term) at One Acre Fund

Key Responsibilities

Production Coordination

• Manage production schedules across pyrolysis lines, forecasting inputs and designing production cycles to meet output targets.
• Coordinate with avocado oil and macadamia value chains to ensure consistent feedstock supply quality, volume, and delivery timing
• Plan production around the weekly maintenance window and any planned shutdowns
• Revise production schedules in response to staff absence, equipment downtime, or feedstock supply shortfalls
• Liaise with utility providers (electricity, water, diesel) to ensure uninterrupted facility operation; track utility usage and resolve outages
• Coordinate with the maintenance staff on preventative maintenance execution, breakdown response, and shift coverage
• Partner with the lab on quality control and non-conformance management
• Coordinate with the Logistics & MRV Coordinator on outbound dispatch scheduling and delivery readiness
• Work with the Administration Supervisor on casual labour / independent contractor scheduling, procurement requisitions, and resource needs
• Coordinate with HSSE staff on safety incident response, HACCP implementation, and environmental compliance
• Manage Production Supervisors, ensuring they have the resources, information, and authority needed to deliver shift performance; conduct performance reviews, and development planning for direct reports
• Track and report production KPIs (output, yield, downtime, quality), budget performance, and MRV completeness as required
• Implement and continuously improve standard operating procedures across both production lines

Mechanical Enginering Leadership

• Develop and own the facility’s preventive mechanical maintenance plan, aligned to the maintenance requirements and any planned shutdowns
• Lead or supervise all mechanical work during maintenance windows, ensuring full-line readiness before restart
• Supervise and mentor on-shift Maintenance staff on mechanical tasks and best practices
• Respond to and resolve critical mechanical breakdowns during production runs; prioritise rapid return to operation
• Conduct root cause analysis on recurring mechanical failures and implement permanent corrective actions
• Manage mechanical spare parts inventory, procurement planning, and critical stock levels
• Maintain up-to-date mechanical maintenance logs, equipment history records, and work order documentation
• Ensure all mechanical work is performed in compliance with lockout/tagout (LOTO) and HSE standards
• Serve as primary on-site liaison with external technical support for mechanical-related warranty claims and specialist troubleshooting

Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)

• Own all production-related MRV documentation for submission
• Compile and submit feedstock intake records (weighbridge receipts and feedstock pile photos) as required
• Compile and submit daily production logs (personnel, activities, feedstock used, biochar produced, batch IDs) as required
• Compile and submit packaging usage records and packaging specification data as required

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in mechanical maintenance in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with high-temperature processing equipment, combustion systems, conveyors, or biomass machinery strongly preferred
• Ability to read technical drawings, P&IDs, and equipment manuals
• Strong fault-diagnosis and root cause analysis skills
• Willingness to be on-call for emergency mechanical breakdowns outside of standard hours

Knowledge

• Ability to forecast inputs, design production cycles, and manage production data from source to final storage
• Experience coordinating with maintenance, quality, and external supplier teams in a multi-shift environment
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Google Sheets / Excel for production planning, KPI tracking, and MRV documentation
• Knowledge of preventive, corrective, and condition-based maintenance principles, including developing and implementing preventative maintenance programmes
• Familiarity with lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, electrical safety standards, and Kenyan electrical regulations (EPRA)