Coffee Quality Controller

About Emalga

Emalga operates across East Africa as an exporter of both conventional and organic dry commodities, including chia, sesame, Robusta coffee, cocoa, macadamia kernels, and avocado oil. The company maintains offices in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Role Summary

With the growth of Ugandan Robusta exports, quality control is a critical factor ensuring Emalga's reputation. This position involves serving as the independent authority on product quality at the Kampala facility, responsible for grading purchased coffee, approving shipments, and holding the authority to decline substandard lots. The quality control function is independent of procurement decisions and reports solely to quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct grading and evaluation of green Robusta coffee at the Kampala warehouse, assessing moisture content, defect counts, screen retention, yield, and cup/liquor quality.
• Authorize or reject all purchases and export shipments; your signature is required for release.
• Manage sampling, pre-shipment inspections, and sealed sample retention for each container.
• Keep comprehensive and accurate quality control records capable of withstanding buyer audits and certification scrutiny.
• Collaborate daily with sourcing, processing, and export teams to monitor and alert to emerging quality trends.
• Assist the export team with preparation of quality documentation such as inspection reports and quality certificates.
• Contribute to developing formalized QC procedures and systems as the company expands.

Qualifications and Experience

• Practical experience in green coffee quality control obtained from roles at exporters, grading laboratories, or related environments.
• Proficient in using equipment such as moisture meters, screen sets, and executing defect grading; experienced in cupping and liquoring Robusta coffee varieties.
• Strong discipline in maintaining accurate records and truthful reporting of sample results, uninflated by external expectations.
• Courage and integrity to reject coffee lots under commercial pressures when quality standards are not met.
• Must reside in Kampala or be willing to relocate; fluency in English is required.

Desirable Skills

• Certification or formal training as a Q Robusta grader or equivalent qualification.
• Experience with organic or certified supply chain processes including audit compliance.
• Familiarity with Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) export procedures.

Benefits and Package

• An autonomous quality control role with full managerial support as outlined by company operations policy.
• Opportunity to work at the forefront of an expanding certified East African export business alongside the founding team.
• A competitive local salary package reflective of experience.