Commercial Manager

Company Overview

Louis Dreyfus Company is a major trader and processor of agricultural products, operating across the full journey from production to consumption. With a broad set of business activities, the company uses its worldwide footprint and large asset base to support customers and consumers in many markets. Organized as a matrix with six geographic regions and ten platforms, it operates in more than 100 countries and has around 18,000 employees globally.

Role Summary

This position leads the Kenya coffee business as a profit-and-loss owner, with responsibility for trading and marketing activities. The role focuses on growing commercial performance, building customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting sustainable supply chains.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the Kenya coffee team and manage the business with accountability for trading and marketing outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships by understanding customer needs and responding in a commercially effective way.
• Strengthen relationships with key accounts through market insights, customer visits, and other commercial actions.
• Spot potential new trade channels and customers, and develop approaches to expand business with buyers and suppliers.
• Contribute to sustainability initiatives and help create stronger supply chains.

Knowledge, Experience, and Education

• More than 10 years of experience in physical coffee trading, ideally within specialty coffee.
• A proven and established network of East African green coffee buyers.
• Hands-on origin experience and knowledge of building sustainable supply chains.
• Strong coffee cupping and liquoring expertise, preferably with Q Grader qualification.
• University degree in business, marketing, or a similar discipline.
• English is required; an additional foreign language is an advantage.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools.

Technical and Functional Skills

• Advanced sensory evaluation and cupping capability, preferably Q Grader certified.
• Strong command of Excel and Word.

Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to travel within origin markets and internationally.

Problem-Solving Expectations

• Assess the balance sheet and judge trading opportunities.
• Review local market conditions and identify fresh sourcing opportunities.
• Map key destination markets and shape the marketing strategy needed to enter them.

Role Context

The commercial target linked to this role is a USD 2 million commercial margin. The team size is 15 to 20 staff. The role works closely with external customers and authorities, as well as internal teams including execution, origin sourcing, exporters, roasters, credit risk, finance, and controlling.

Job Challenge

The role operates in a highly competitive and specialized Kenyan coffee marketing environment.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability

The company states that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to its culture and that it is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace. It also encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, supports local communities, and backs environmental initiatives. Sustainability is described as a core part of the company’s purpose, with a focus on creating fair and lasting value for the business, its partners, communities, people, and the environment.

What the Company Offers

The organization offers an international work environment designed to develop skills and support career growth within one of the largest and most established private companies globally.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits package.
• Hybrid work may be available, depending on the role.
• Private pension contributions.
• Training and development access.
• Concierge partnership access.
• Meals for some staff working in asset locations.
• Transport for employees at asset facilities.
• Private medical insurance.
• 21 days of leave.
• Life insurance.