Estate Manager - Coffee Estates

About the role

Tatu Coffee Company Limited, owned by Rendeavour and based in Tatu City, is one of Kenya's leading specialty coffee producers, cultivating premium Arabica on more than 6,500 acres of certified estates. It is looking for an Estate Manager to oversee the full coffee production cycle and run the estate efficiently.

Key responsibilities

• Own and implement all aspects of coffee growing, harvesting, processing, drying, sorting, storage and transport, using modern technology and industry best practices.
• Identify pests and diseases and put timely control measures in place.
• Mobilise workers for field work and harvest on time.
• Ensure 100% compliance with safety standards during the workday and transport outside the farm.
• Complete daily, weekly and monthly data capture and reporting accurately.
• Ensure all payrolls are paid on time.
• Run quality control systems throughout production and manage budgets, costs and stock of chemicals, farm inputs, coffee and manpower.
• Implement environmental sustainability initiatives such as responsible land management, water conservation and ethical farming.
• Manage and motivate the estate staff, supervisors, processing team and drivers, and build good relationships with local communities, government agencies and industry stakeholders.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture or Agribusiness.
• At least 10 years of progressive agribusiness management experience, including 5 years directly in coffee production.
• Experience with Kenyan coffee varieties and knowledge of forced labour, child labour, workplace violence, sexual harassment and corruption.
• Fluency in English and Swahili.

Required skills

• In-depth knowledge of coffee cultivation, processing techniques and quality standards; familiarity with sustainability certification programmes is an advantage.
• Strong leadership, financial management (farm-level budgeting and cost analysis) and communication skills.
• Pest and disease management, irrigation needs assessment, wet processing and regenerative agriculture awareness.
• Ability to anticipate problems early and evaluate the impact of climate change on coffee production.