Role Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Coffee Quality Expert. The role oversees coffee analysis, quality and food safety matters, supplier and client communication and commercial development in the European market. Working alongside the Head of Quality and other cross-functional teams, this role provides good long-term development potential for an individual eager to demonstrate their skills and experience with a market leader in the coffee trading industry.
Business Overview
Volcafe Ltd is one of the world’s leading international green coffee trading companies, operating in over 20 countries globally. Our expertise spans green coffee procurement and preparation, sustainability, blending, quality control, risk management and export as well as importing and distribution. We supply the world’s major coffee roasters and retail distributors with their green coffee requirements, with significant strategic growth ambitions for the future. We are part of ED&F Man Commodities, a world leading trader of agricultural products including coffee, sugar, molasses and animal feed.
Volcafe works across the whole green coffee supply chain to make coffee business better, together with our partners and employees. We have built and operate sustainable coffee supply chains across all our origins, addressing key economic, social and environmental issues in coffee farming communities. Our Volcafe Way farmer support programme engages with thousands of coffee farmers and provides a holistic response to the challenges they face.
This role will be working for Gollücke & Rothfos, Volcafe’s company in Germany.
Key Accountabilities
- Conducting green coffee analysis, roasting and cupping in accordance with Specialty Coffee Association SCA standards, ensuring consistent sensory evaluation and quality control.
- Managing and documenting samples within the local ERP system and Cropster, ensuring accurate and timely data entry and traceability.
- Working closely with trading and logistics teams on all quality-related matters to support smooth operational processes.
- Supporting communication on quality topics, particularly sample approval processes and status updates, including systematic recording, performance analysis and responding to sample-related queries.
- Assisting with local food safety responsibilities in collaboration with the German IFS Broker team to ensure compliance with relevant standards.
- Contributing to the further commercial development of the European and German coffee markets in cooperation with the commercial and specialty trading team.
- Assisting with the organisation and execution of internal and external coffee events such as customer cuppings, trade fairs and barista events.
- Supporting local marketing in the creation of factsheets, newsletters and advertising projects, including social media and video initiatives.
Skills and Experience
- Degree in the fields of food science, agriculture, agronomy or business administration or 2+ years of experience in a position requiring coffee expertise (e.g. barista or coffee research) or within an animal or human food or drink quality or technical department would also be accepted.
- Obtained certificates related to coffee quality control, coffee production or coffee roasting would be highly desirable.
- Knowledge of green coffee quality assessment and sensory analysis, ideally aligned with SCA standards.
- Experience with ERP systems and Cropster or similar quality management software is advantageous.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple samples and deadlines accurately.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence liaising with suppliers, customers and internal teams.
- Detail-oriented, analytical and structured approach to documentation and performance tracking.
- Interest in specialty coffee markets and commercial development.
- Proficient in MS Office alongside additional digital marketing knowledge is a plus.
- Fluent German and good command of English, additional languages would be welcomed.
We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
Our Offer
We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.
Our Values
Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship
Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities. Our values are underpinned by a set of essential behaviours, which form part of our performance management approach. Delivering on our objectives is very much about ‘what’ we do, but these essential behaviours also provide a guide and measure for ‘how’ we do things. Our performance essentials are Take Initiative, Self‐Management, Deliver Results and Collaboration.
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.
