Sucafina is a leading sustainable coffee company, connecting coffee producers with roasters worldwide. With a rich history and a global presence, we are committed to fostering sustainable practices, innovation, and strong relationships across the coffee supply chain. Our operations span sourcing, trading, and logistics, ensuring high-quality coffee reaches consumers efficiently and responsibly. 

Position Summary: 

The Senior Quality Control Manager is responsible for leading and managing all quality control and assurance activities from green coffee sourcing to final product export. This role ensures that all coffee products meet COTACOF’s rigorous quality standards, client specifications, and international food safety regulations. The successful candidate will oversee the quality control laboratory, manage a team of QC professionals, and drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the supply chain. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Quality Strategy & System Management: 

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive quality management system (QMS) in line with industry best practices (e.g., ISO, HACCP, GFSI). 

• Establish and enforce quality control protocols and procedures for all stages of coffee processing, including parchment reception, hulling, grading, and storage. 

• Set the standards for raw materials (green coffee) from suppliers and ensure strict compliance. 

• Lead internal and external quality audits to ensure adherence to all regulatory and company standards. 

2. Team Leadership & Development: 

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of quality control technicians, cuppers, and support staff. 

• Foster a strong culture of quality, precision, and continuous improvement within the team. 

• Organize regular training and calibration sessions for the cupping team to ensure consistent evaluation of coffee quality. 

• Conduct performance reviews and support the professional development of team members. 

3. Laboratory & Cupping Operations: 

• Oversee all daily operations of the quality control laboratory, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and adherence to safety protocols. 

• Lead and participate in daily cupping sessions to evaluate pre-shipment, arrival, and inventory samples. 

• Maintain and calibrate all laboratory equipment (e.g., moisture meters, screen graders, roasting and cupping equipment). 

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all quality data, including cupping scores, physical analysis, and sample approvals. 

4. Supplier & Stakeholder Management: 

• Collaborate with the trading and sourcing teams to define quality requirements for coffee purchases. 

• Manage relationships with suppliers and producers to ensure consistent quality and provide feedback for improvement. 

• Act as the primary point of contact for resolving quality-related issues with both suppliers and clients. 

• Prepare and present detailed quality reports to senior management and other stakeholders. 

5. Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement: 

• Analyze quality data and metrics to identify trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs). 

• Investigate customer complaints and non-conformances to determine root causes and prevent recurrence. 

• Stay current with industry trends, new quality control technologies, and changes in food safety regulations. 

• Education: Bachelor's degree in food science, Agricultural Science, or a related field is typically required. 

• Experience: 

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in a quality control role within the coffee or broader food & beverage industry. 

• Certifications (Highly Desirable): 

• Preferred Q-Grader (Arabica and/or Robusta). 

• Technical Skills: 

• Expert-level knowledge of coffee cupping protocols and sensory evaluation. 

• Deep understanding of green coffee defects, physical grading standards, and processing methods. 

• Proficiency with quality management software and MS Office Suite (especially Excel for data analysis). 

• Strong knowledge of international food safety standards and regulations. 

• Core Competencies: 

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. 

• Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments. 

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.