Background: Equatorial Nut Processors is one of the leading edible nut concerns in East Africa. The company’s range of products, for both local and export markets, focuses on three principal nuts – Macadamia, Cashew and Peanuts.
ENP was founded in 1994, and it has grown over the years to occupy a prominent position in the region’s nut sector.
Cashew Nuts are grown in Coastal region of Kenya, specifically Kilifi, Kwale and Lamu counties. Kenya has a potential to produce more than 63,000 metric tonnes valued at Sh2 billion.
Cashew Nuts are grown in Coastal region of Kenya, specifically Kilifi, Kwale and Lamu counties. Kenya has a potential to produce more than 63,000 metric tonnes valued at Sh2 billion.
However, farmers at the Kenyan coast have neglected tending their cashew trees due to what they consider “exploitation” by middlemen and low productivity of the old orchards due to lack of linkage to markets, input suppliers and financial services to pre-finance production. Farmers therefore are shifting focus to other crops yellow passion fruit, cassava and chillies.
The Cashew Nut sector in Kenya faces the key challenge of low producer (farm gate) prices which has seen farmers cut down some of their trees.
There have been attempts to return the sector to productivity with the government introducing a policy that banned export of in-shell nuts to promote value addition through processing in the year 2009.
The few nuts available are shared between Equatorial Nut Processors Ltd, Wonder Nut, Kenya Nut, Jungle Nut and Millenium.
The few nuts available are shared between Equatorial Nut Processors Ltd, Wonder Nut, Kenya Nut, Jungle Nut and Millenium.
On average each processor would currently get 760MT but ENP got only 600MT in 2013/2014 season. This is despite the fact that the factory has a capacity of 3000MT.
Job Context
Job Context
Title: Senior Purchasing Officer (SPO)
Reports to: Senior Procurement Manager & Programmes Manager
Based at: Kilifi.
Overall Purpose: To ensure ENP gets enough cashew nuts during the buying season at the coast covering Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu Counties.
Main Job Objectives
Overall Purpose: To ensure ENP gets enough cashew nuts during the buying season at the coast covering Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu Counties.
Main Job Objectives
- To support the process of registering and organizing cashew farmers.
- To link farmers to key service providers (training, finance, insurance, TSPs etc)
- Coordinating purchasing, drying and delivery of cashew nuts
Main Activities/Key tasks
- To develop annual work plans and prepare budgets for cashew field teams
- To manage the cashew field officers’ activities
- To train the cashew field officers and agents
- To regularly produce project reports and forward the same to the Programmes Manager
- To train the cashew suppliers/farmers through 3rd party actors like input suppliers and agents
- To foster relevant stakeholder linkages
- To proactively engage relevant stakeholders helpful in achieving the cashew goals and vision.
- To coordinate purchase/supply of cashew nuts
- To ensure that all cashew nuts from our farmers is timely delivered to our factory
- Produce case studies when requested to do so by the Programmes Manager.
- To develop and annually update a procurement policy document
- To ensure that the procurement policy is followed by the field staff and agents
- To carry out any other duties related to this assignment as may be directed from time to time by the Programmes Manager.
Responsibilities and Relationships
- Internal relationships: Working in consultation with Programmes Manager and other staff to efficiently deliver your activity goals.
- External relationships; Working with stakeholders within the cashew sector. Managing their expectations and guarding the interest of the company.
Standards of Performance and Behavior
- Honesty, integrity and transparency in dealings with staff, stakeholders and clients.
- Commitment to the aims, ethics and moral code of ENP
- Attention to detail as well as to the big picture
- Professional conduct in all operational matters, with an appropriate balance between the needs of staff, stakeholders and clients
Education/qualifications:
- Educated to diploma/degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as Agronomy, Economics and Agribusiness,
Skills:
- Leadership: setting a strategic vision and getting performance from people
- Project management
- Excellent English
- Analytical and writing skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Team player
- Ability to facilitate stakeholder workshops
- Use of MS Word, Excel, Power-point and Outlook
Desirable -
- Experience working with farmer groups
- Prior knowledge and exposure the agronomy and supply chain of cashew
- Making presentations to small and large groups
- Experience in managing supply chains
- Motorcycle rider’s license with 2 years riding experience.
Personal Qualities:
- Honesty, integrity and a set of values that encourages productive work in others
- Willingness to travel extensively and to work long hours if required
- Ability to engage with a diversity of audiences both within target communities and beneficiaries.
If you possess the above skills, abilities and competencies, we are happy to engage with you.
Please provide us with a cover letter and a resume, clearly stating your availability and salary expectations.
All applications are to be sent via email to info@tradecareafrica.com to be received on or before the COB on 1st October 2014.
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply.