About This Role
This is a high-stakes executive role for a seasoned operations leader who will bridge the gap between Ethiopia’s coffee origins and global markets. As COO at Coffeenet Trading PLC, you are not just managing logistics—you are the backbone of a value chain that touches smallholder farmers, wet mills, dry mills, export documentation, and international buyers. The role suits someone who thrives on operational complexity, has deep experience in agricultural supply chains, and can translate the CEO’s strategic vision into measurable, ground-level execution. Given the company’s focus on Ethiopian coffee, a sector with high global demand and local fragmentation, this position is both challenging and pivotal for growth.
What the Requirements Say About This Role
The implied profile is less about academic credentials and more about proven leadership in multi-stage, rural-to-export operations. The employer is likely seeking someone who has managed procurement from scattered smallholders, overseen quality control at processing stations, and navigated Ethiopia’s regulatory export environment. Experience in agriculture, logistics, or supply chain management at a senior level is non-negotiable, but what truly matters is the ability to coordinate across diverse teams—from field agents in remote highlands to customs brokers in Addis. This is not a desk job; it demands frequent site visits, cross-functional decision-making, and resilience in a sector where timing and quality directly impact revenue.
How to Approach This Application
Your application must demonstrate that you understand the unique friction points in Ethiopia’s coffee supply chain—such as inconsistent quality, infrastructure gaps, and fragmented producer networks. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight specific examples where you optimized a vertical supply chain, reduced post-harvest losses, or improved export turnaround times. Emphasize any experience with smallholder aggregation models, traceability systems, or international quality standards (like Fair Trade or organic certification). The employer will prioritize candidates who can show they have already solved problems similar to those Coffeenet faces—so avoid generic leadership language and get specific about coffee, logistics, or agricultural exports.
Who This Role Suits
This role is best suited for an experienced operations director or VP-level professional with at least 10–15 years in agricultural supply chains, ideally in coffee or perishable exports. It is highly competitive given the seniority and niche sector, but the candidate pool in Addis for such a specialized role is limited, so a well-targeted application from someone with direct coffee or export logistics experience will stand out.
Company: CoffeeNet Trading PLC
Job Title: Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: HQ, Addis Ababa
Application Deadline: June 17, 2026
Job Summary
- The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will serve as the strategic architect of the company’s internal and external value chain. This COO is responsible for ensuring that the finest Ethiopian coffee moves seamlessly from the washing station/dry mill to the international buyer. The COO will be the strategic architect of our internal operations, ensuring that the journey of the coffee bean—from the highland smallholders to the global master—is seamless, efficient, and of the highest quality. COO will be responsible for translating the CEO’s vision into operational reality, managing a complex vertical that spans rural sourcing, technical laboratory analysis, bureaucratic export navigation, and global market expansion.
Salary & Benefits
- Salary is based on the company’s salary scale (with possible negotiation within the scale)
- Transport Services, Benefits and Rewards as per the company guidelines
- Application Date: Qualified and interested candidates may submit their CV and a cover letter as one PDF file to [email protected] within 7 consecutive working days from the date of announcement.
- All applicants must rename their CV file using the exact title of the position they are applying for before sending it via email. Fore example, If applying for Chief Operations Manager, rename your CV file as “COO - Then YOUR NAME”
Job Specifications (Requirements)
- Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, or Economics or a related field.
- Experience: 10+ years in executive operations, specifically within the Ethiopian Coffee Export sector.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of the ECX (Ethiopia Commodity Exchange) or the "Vertical Integration" (Direct Export) model.
- Sensory Knowledge: Familiarity with SCA cupping protocols
- Certifications: Q-Grader certification is a significant advantage.
- Regulatory Savvy: Expert knowledge of Ethiopian export laws, FX regulations, and international shipping (Incoterms 2020).
- Communication: Native-level Amharic and professional fluency in English. Knowledge of Oromiffa or other regional languages is a significant advantage and asset for field operations.
Technical Skills & Competencies
- Coffee Mastery: Deep understanding of the Ethiopian coffee landscape (e.g., Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Guji, Limu regions).
- Financial Acumen: Expertise in managing OpEx/CapEx budgets and understanding foreign exchange regulations in Ethiopia.
- Technological Literacy: Proficiency in using ERP systems for inventory tracking and supply chain visibility.
Soft Skills
- Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and navigate the local socio-political landscape of coffee-growing regions and ability to translate the vision into actionable operational workflows.
- Negotiation: A "closer" mentality for both procurement at the farm level and sales at the boardroom level.
- Resilience: The ability to navigate the logistical and regulatory complexities unique to the Horn of Africa.
- Soft Skills: High-level negotiation, crisis management (logistics bottlenecks), and cross-cultural communication.
Behavioral Competencies
- Strategic Agility: Ability to pivot operations based on global coffee price volatility (C-Market).
- Operational Rigor: A "boots-on-the-ground" approach to visiting mills and warehouses.
- Integrity: Unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and transparency in a high-stakes industry.
How To Apply
Application Date: Qualified and interested candidates may submit their CV and a cover letter as one PDF file to [email protected] within 7 consecutive working days from the date of announcement.
All applicants must rename their CV file using the exact title of the position they are applying for before sending it via email. Fore example, If applying for Chief Operations Manager, rename your CV file as “COO - Then YOUR NAME”
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