Trading Assistant

Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Trader Assistant to work in a truly global environment to build a long-term commercial/specialty trading portfolio and provide invaluable hands-on coffee experience from crop to cup to this respected trading origin and reporting to General Manager Tanzania. The role provides long term development potential for someone eager to demonstrate their skills and experience in the fast-paced soft commodities environment.

Volcafe Ltd is one of the world’s leading international green coffee trading companies, operating in over 20 countries globally. Our expertise spans green coffee procurement and preparation, sustainability, blending, quality control, risk management and export as well as importing and distribution. We supply the world’s major coffee roasters and retail distributors with their green coffee requirements, with significant strategic growth ambitions for the future. We are part of ED&F Man Commodities, a world leading trader of agricultural products including coffee, sugar, molasses and animal feed.

Volcafe works across the whole green coffee supply chain to make coffee business better, together with our partners and employees. We have built and operate sustainable coffee supply chains across all our origins, addressing key economic, social and environmental issues in coffee farming communities. Our Volcafe Way farmer support programme engages with thousands of coffee farmers and provides a holistic response to the challenges they face.

This role will be working for Taylor Winch (Tanzania) Ltd, Volcafe’s company in Tanzania.

Key Accountabilities
• Conduct pre and post-purchase analysis for coffee sourcing to support informed buying decisions.
• Prepare comprehensive market reports and curated offer lists for internal teams and clients.
• Assist in basis trading by providing accurate market data and timely insights.
• Maintaining internal/project reports and sending updates regularly internally and to project donors.
• Oversee contract administration, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and proper documentation.
• Collaborate with Quality Control, logistics, and production teams to ensure timely and smooth contract execution.
• Monitor daily trading positions and maintain up-to-date tracking of profit and loss.
• Follow global and local coffee market trends to support basic pricing recommendations.
• Compile routine reports on trading activities, shipment progress, and client-related updates.

Skills and Experience
• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, International Trade, Business Administration or related fields.
• At least 1 year of experience in commodity trading, preferably in coffee or agricultural products.
• Good understanding of export-import processes.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, PowerPoint; knowledge of ERP or trading software is a plus.
• Fluent in English is essential, both written and spoken, language skills in Swahili are an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills, negotiation, cultural awareness, and interpersonal skills.

We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

Our Offer

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

Our Values

Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship

Volcafe shares the values of our parent company, ED&F Man Commodities. Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities.

Our Commitment

Volcafe shares the commitment of our parent company, ED&F Man Commodities. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

To apply you must have the right to work for the provided location.