Speciality Coffee Trader recruitment
This is a business development position and you must be an excellent communicator who effectively builds relationships. You will focus on building business with both our suppliers and end user clients. A background in commodities would be beneficial whereas a passion for coffee is essential. You must possess a keen motivation to meet and surpass targets.
This role has the added benefit of forming part of the EDF Man Commercial Trainee Programme, an experienced graduate scheme with unparalleled mentoring, training and personal development.
This role will be based in California, but will include extensive training and secondments in central and South America over the first 18 months. This is essential for you to be able to understand the business of speciality coffees.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build strong relations with growers and ‘point of origin’ suppliers.
- Establish relationships with existing customers and create new business as well as connections with industry contacts.
- Monitor supply and demand developments, movements and regional coffee market trends.
- Trade specialty coffees via the global markets.
- Research soft commodity markets and provide analysis.
- Monitor relevant industry material and maintain current market knowledge of trends and market conditions in order to review positions and capitalise on volatility.
- Liaise with and provide support to the business development and marketing teams.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Two to three years of commercial experience in a merchant, trading or related sales role.
- A background in agricultural commodities would be beneficial, however a keen interest in the world of commodities is essential.
- High calibre degree in a relevant subject.
- A capable oral and written communicator who effectively builds relationships.
- Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills.
- Complete fluency in business English. Other languages such as Spanish or Portuguese would be advantageous but not essential.
- Flexible and adaptable; eager to learn and thoroughly understand the coffee industry, able to adjust to change quickly and keen to take on new challenges.
- Self confidence, with the ability to voice opinions constructively.
- Team player with outstanding interpersonal skills.
- Entrepreneurial spirit. Generates ideas for business improvements and is able to implement them.
- Happy to travel internationally as required
- Determined, resilient with a desire to make a long term contribution to EDF Man’s business.
- Strong emphasis on performance; sets high standards, goal orientated, ambitious and able to maintain performance under pressure.
- Proficient IT skills.
Features of the Commercial Trainee Programme
- Work in a specific, hands-on commercial role from day one.
- On-the-job learning following a specifically tailored training and development plan.
- Formal commercial knowledge and soft skills development.
- Sponsorship to undertake a professional commodities qualification
- Management and delivery of a social or environmental initiative in one of our communities globally.
- Mentoring by a senior business leader.
- Extensive networking with international colleagues.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
Volcafe Ltd, based in Switzerland is one of the world's largest coffee trading houses. Under the corporate umbrella of a London based commodities firm EDF Man, it operates in over 20 countries globally, in coffee procurement, blending and export as well as importing, and supplies every major roaster with their green coffee requirements.
VOLCAFE Specialty Coffee is the youngest member of the VOLCAFE Group. Established in 2001, VSC is dedicated to sourcing and promoting the production of high quality and single origin coffees from smallholders, cooperatives and estates worldwide EDF Man was established in 1783. Today the company is a leading provider of commodities, logistics and risk management services. The company is employee owned with approximately 4,000 employees working in 50 countries around the world.
EDF Man was established in 1783. Today the company is a leading provider of commodities, logistics and risk management services. The company is employee owned with approximately 3,600 employees working in 60 countries around the world.