Assistant Manager - Certifications and Research

About the role

This position manages coffee production at estate level, covering cultivation, processing and dispatch, while leading certification compliance, quality control, budgeting and R&D trial oversight. It blends technical agronomy with people management, compliance and financial discipline to keep the estate productive, certified and profitable.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and implement Rainforest Alliance, Café Practices, Nespresso AAA, 4C and Organic certifications, monitor audit cycles and close non‑conformities.
• Ensure farm‑level SOPs are followed for growing, harvesting, processing, drying, sorting, storage and transport.
• Identify pest and disease issues and coordinate timely control measures.
• Design, conduct and analyse statistical data from R&D trials across estate locations and share findings monthly.
• Mobilise workers for field work and timely harvest operations.
• Maintain strict safety standards throughout the estate and during external transport.
• Implement and oversee quality control systems to guarantee premium coffee quality.
• Manage estate budgets, control costs, optimise stock of chemicals, inputs and coffee, and ensure payroll is processed on time.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture or Agribusiness.
• Minimum 5 + years progressive agribusiness management experience, including at least 3 years in coffee production.
• Strong knowledge of coffee cultivation, processing techniques and certification programmes.
• Proven leadership ability to manage teams and daily operations.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including budgeting and cost control.

Required skills

• Certification compliance (Rainforest Alliance, Café Practices, Nespresso AAA, 4C, Organic).
• Statistical data analysis for R&D trials.
• Quality control systems for coffee processing.
• Budget and cost management.
• Payroll processing.