Coffee Estate Manager at Ofi Tanzania

As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us.  We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across ~50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream.  Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real. 

Product Information

Coffee

There’s something uniquely beautiful about our coffee business. Not just in the product itself, but in the intricate, living supply chains that connect people across continents. From the highlands of Ethiopia to the volcanic soil of Guatemala, from the remote farms of Vietnam to the vibrant cooperatives of Colombia, coffee is a story told across 18 origin countries, in countless accents and cultures. It’s a world of contrast and complexity between Arabica’s delicate florals and Robusta’s bold intensity, between washed, honey, and natural processes, and between every unique cup profile shaped by soil, altitude, and time. Each bean carries not just flavor but identity of place, of people, of tradition. Yet the beauty of coffee isn’t only in its diversity. It’s also in its resilience and adaptability. Today’s landscape demands flexibility like never before: navigating EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), tracking GPS-level traceability, and meeting the rising demand for transparency. It’s a business that requires sharp thinking, fast learning, and the ability to shift gears often overnight. Within the coffee business of ofi, we operate at the cutting edge of international trade in coffee. Our strength lies in our deep-rooted presence at origin, where we work hand-in-hand with producers to offer sustainable, traceable, and high-quality ingredients to customers around the world. We’re focused on building resilient supply chains, driving innovation, and delivering real-world impact from farm to shelf. 

Duty Station: Coffee Estate – Songea - Ruvuma, Tanzania

Reports To: Deputy General Manager

Job Purpose

The Coffee Estate Manager is responsible for the overall planning, management, and supervision of coffee estate operations to ensure optimal productivity, quality, profitability, and sustainability. The role involves managing farm activities from planting to harvesting which include processing, overseeing labour, ensuring compliance with agricultural, certification requirements, labour, and environmental regulations, and implementing best agronomic practices.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Estate Operations Management

• Plan, organize, and supervise all coffee production activities including land preparation, planting, pruning, fertilization, pest and disease control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.
• Ensure compliance with regulations of Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB)
• Develop and implement annual and seasonal work plans aligned with production targets.
• Monitor crop growth and yield performance and take corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure timely execution of field operations to meet quality and productivity standards.

2. Labour Management

• Manage, supervise, train, and evaluate permanent and seasonal workers.
• Allocate duties and manage daily labour schedules and productivity.
• Labour mobilization to match the harvesting demand.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws, employment contracts, wages, working hours, and occupational health and safety standards.
• Promote good employee relations, discipline, and motivation among workers.
• Identify training needs and support skills development for supervisors and field staff.

3. Financial and Budget Management

• Prepare and manage estate budgets, including labour, inputs, maintenance, and operational costs.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure cost-effective use of resources as well as adherence to budget.
• Maintain accurate financial and operational records.
• Report on production costs, yields, and profitability to the higher management

4. Quality Control and Processing Oversight

• Ensure coffee harvesting is done at the correct maturity stage to maintain quality.
• Supervise post-harvest processes such as pulping, fermentation, washing, drying, storage, and grading.
• Implement quality assurance systems to meet market and certification standards.
• Coordinate with processors and exporters where applicable.

5. Equipment, Infrastructure, and Asset Management

• Oversee maintenance and proper use of farm machinery, tools, and processing equipment.
• Manage estate infrastructure including roads, irrigation systems, storage facilities, and staff housing.
• Ensure availability and proper storage of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel.

6. Environmental and Sustainability Management

• Implement sustainable farming practices and soil conservation measures.
• Ensure responsible use of agrochemicals and proper waste disposal.
• Support certification requirements (e.g., Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Atsource).
• Promote environmental protection and climate-smart agriculture practices.

7. Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Enforce occupational health and safety standards across the estate.
• Train workers on safe handling of machinery, chemicals, and tools.
• Ensure compliance with national agricultural, labour, and environmental regulations.
• Maintain records for audits and inspections by regulatory authorities.

8. Reporting and Stakeholder Communication

• Prepare regular operational, production, and labour reports.
• Communicate estate performance, challenges, and improvement plans to management
• Liaise with government agencies, extension officers, certification bodies, and suppliers.

Qualifications and Experience

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agribusiness Management, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 7–10 years’ experience in coffee farming or estate management.
• Proven experience in supervising large agricultural workforces.
• Experience in coffee processing and quality control.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Sound knowledge of coffee agronomy and production systems.
• Financial planning and budgeting skills.
• Understanding of labour laws and occupational health and safety requirements.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Good communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to work in rural and field-based environments.
• Should hold two and four wheel validly driving licence

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Coffee yield per hectare
• Pest & Disease control
• Farm mechanization
• Quality and grades achieved
• Labor productivity and cost control
• Compliance with labour and safety standards
• Budget adherence and profitability
• Staff retention and training outcomes

ofi is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to racial or ethnic origin, color, age, religion or belief, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.