Role Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Global Head of Supply Chain to work in a truly global environment, based in Switzerland, driving the global supply chain strategy, coordinating, managing and improving the operational and logistics aspects of the business, including providing high quality analysis, review, and decision to support the leadership. The role provides long term development potential for someone eager to demonstrate their skills and experience in the fast-paced soft commodities environment.
Business Overview
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.
Key Accountabilities
We are seeking a commercially oriented supply chain professional who can drive the business forward. This is a significant “hands on” role with also requires higher level analysis and review. Ideally, you will have significant experience of operating within a fast-paced multinational, entrepreneurial trading and/or commercial environment. The successful individual will have a solid understanding of supply chain management within the physical commodity trading and its impact on the business.
Supply Chain Strategy
- Conduct a full global analysis and review of supply chains across the organisation providing recommendations on structures (both people and process), setting KPIs, and advising on clear deliverables.
- Design, lead and implement an efficient, robust logistics strategy to ensure the most efficient movement of coffee globally.
- Adapt the logistics function to changes in trading strategy without compromising costs or efficiency.
- Partner with Volcafe group companies / functions to identify areas for insourcing and automation across all existing and potential functions.
- Identify and propose solutions to existing deficiencies to keep cost and risk at a minimum.
- Drive change through the operation. Identifying and facilitating adaption for future business needs and ensuring optimal support and execution.
- Drive the digitalisation of the supply chain function.
- Work in a continuous improvement environment and be accountable for identifying and proactively addressing opportunities for cost reduction, performance improvement and risk mitigation, within portfolios of spend and/or individual supplier relationships, demonstrating real value for money.
- Be responsible for the development and implementation of the freight negotiation strategy, including payment profiles and associated terms to meet the cash flow requirements of the business.
- Provide guidance and support on the full life cycle of strategic Supplier Relationship Management, including negotiating and establishment of SLAs and monitoring of KPIs.
- Prepare and negotiate new service contracts or contract amendments and arrange for their approval.
- Accountable for building and developing collaborative internal and external relationships, ensuring that supply chain and supplier strategy and performance underpins business area objectives and budgets.
- Accountable for creation, implementation and regular review of global, business wide Supply Chain category and commodity strategies in line with VOLCAFE business strategy for nominated areas of spend.
- Representing VOLCAFE in different Logistics Committee and working in project teams.
Team Management
- Review the global team structure and make sure it is efficient and fit for purpose and that the correct training is taking place.
- Lead and manage the Global Supply Chain team, through matrix reporting lines globally.
Compliance
- Own the dispute resolution process, making recommendations for improvements, highlight any trends and patterns to GMs for resolution and to directly handle any high-profile disputes that may arise during the consultancy period.
- Review all current insurance policies to ensure they are fit for purpose and that all employees understand the policy requirements and claims process.
- Ensure that appropriate and auditable standards, controls and governance frameworks are in place and that contracts are legally & ethically compliant.
- Provide guidance on compliance to terms and conditions, identifying the flow down of such terms and conditions and supporting the assessment of ‘supply chain gap analysis’.
- Identify potential liabilities, risks, issues and disputes, arising with customers, suppliers, partners and third parties, and produce innovative mitigation plans.
- Continuously monitor and mitigate any logistical third-party provider risks globally.
- Pro-actively address contract non-compliance and performance issues.
- Oversee the stock reconciliation process checking all warehouses are compliant and completed monthly, liaising with the relevant internal contacts
Skills and Experience
- A supply chain and procurement professional with extensive category and supplier relationship management experience in physical commodities, ideally coffee.
- Extensive team management experience and ability to work in a complex global matrix organisation.
- Extensive experience of working in a continuous improvement environment across logistics/supply chain.
- Knowledge of Internal controls, operational risk management, Collateral Management Agreement (CMA) and Stock Monitoring Agreement (SMA) services
- Knowledge of supply chain movement and management and client relationship management.
- Experience of international documentary requirements for the movement of goods by sea, rail and truck including BLs, COIs, LCs, Commercial Invoices, Shipping Instructions, Packing Lists, IQS requirements etc.
- Demonstrable knowledge of managing complex contract negotiations across all areas of spend and delivery of ‘bottom line’ savings.
- The ability to think strategically, to develop and execute supply chain and supplier strategy and plans.
- Excellent leadership skills with proven ability of influencing and convincing at senior level, combined with the ability to manage cross functional teams.
- Risk and project management skills.
- Highly motivated individual with the ability to work under minimum supervision to deliver.
- Proactive approach with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with individuals at all levels and across departments.
- Displays clear accountability and ownership of tasks and objectives.
- Competency in Microsoft applications including Word and Excel (up to pivot tables).
- Willingness to travel globally if needed.
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
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 values are underpinned by a set of essential behaviours, which form part of our performance management approach. Delivering on our objectives is very much about ‘what’ we do, but these essential behaviours also provide a guide and measure for ‘how’ we do things. Our performance essentials are Take Initiative, Self‐Management, Deliver Results and Collaboration.
Our Commitment
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.
