Senior Supply Chain, Logistics & Operations Manager (f/m/d)

Your Mission

As Senior Supply Chain, Logistics & Operations Manager (f/m/d), you will be responsible for ensuring the seamless flow of products from production to our customers, aligning perfectly with Koa's value propositions. In this critical role, you will act as an interface between the customer and production-facing departments, as well as external service providers around the products and their delivery. You will design, set up, and manage the most efficient and effective supply chain to deliver our products to the market. You are a champion of customer centricity when it comes to operations and supply chain, and together with the Sales & Quality Team, you will ensure that we fulfill all our customers’ orders with a laser focus on operational excellence. Together with the Commercial Project Manager, you will manage the balancing of inventory across different channels.

Your key responsibilities will be:

Strategic Route to Market Development

• Plan, execute, and manage research projects that optimise Koa’s existing ingredient portfolio to enhance their functionality, cost-effectiveness, and impact on finished consumer products
• Structure, plan, and conduct research and development to bring new cocoa fruit ingredient to market, while maintaining focus on developing commercially viable products for consumers
• Develop our e-commerce operations and create an exciting webshop customer journey
• Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to define customer service levels and delivery expectations for different value propositions

Lead 3rd Party Manufacturing

• Develop and maintain a network of qualified toll manufacturers and co-packers with capabilities aligned with specific product requirements and value propositions
• Manage and oversee the production process at toll manufacturing facilities alongside Quality Management, ensuring adherence to Koa's quality standards and specifications
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with toll manufacturing partners to facilitate smooth communication and timely production execution

Operations & Logistics Management (Internal & External)

• Develop and implement production plans in coordination with sales forecasts, inventory levels, and value proposition requirements
• Oversee the entire processing and logistics cycle, including raw material procurement, production planning, warehousing, order fulfilment, and product delivery
• Coordinate the transportation and delivery of goods through when working with shipping carriers and distribution partners
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders (e.g., production, quality control) and external stakeholders (e.g., distributors, customers) to ensure smooth communication and problem-solving
• Identify and implement operational improvements to streamline processes, reduce costs, and increase overall efficiency

Inventory Management

• Implement an efficient demand-side inventory control system that can be integrated with Koa's global system, to optimise stock levels and, together with the commercial and global supply chain team, balance inventory throughout the supply chain

Your profile

• You are interactive, outgoing, analytical, and love to work on the intersection between people, products, and problem solving
• You are fascinated by problem solving and finding the best possible operations models and you are self-driven, motivated, persistent, and resilient with an ambitious get $%@& done mindset
• You love to work with people, you stay calm under the pressure of the daily logistics hustle, and you are a natural-born communicator with a sense of humour
• You have a Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or an equivalent academic qualification in food science or innovation
• You have at least 5 years of experience in developing and managing supply chains, preferably in the FMCG or food & beverage space
• You are willing to travel and possess a valid driver’s licence
• You have experience in working with an ERP or goods management system and can manage all modern IT tools with ease
• You are based in the greater Cologne Area or willing to relocate and have a valid residence permit in Germany or are in possession of a citizenship which is part of the Schengen Agreement
• You are fluent in German and English (both min. C1), any other European language is a plus

Your Workplace & Team

You will be part of our newly established German team, but closely connected to the already existing Swiss & Ghanaian colleagues. Together, we’re all about taking epic risks in the pursuit of success. When it comes to finding solutions, we don’t just go with the flow: we make waves. Shared laughs and smiles are our cocoa fruit jam, because making a positive impact doesn’t have to be all work and no play. We come together as a community where creating goodness and fun are always on the agenda. As a Category Manager you will get a high degree of autonomy and freedom. You will be expected to proactively shape the growth of a young and meaningful venture, take on responsibility and enjoy working outside of your comfort zone. A diversified job profile is waiting for you in an international environment. Our German Office will be located in Cologne and we already have a headquarters in the heart of Zurich. In Ghana, our team operates two production sites with thousands of farmers. If needed, we all are just a video call away.

Further Details

Employment Level: 100%
Starting date: As soon as possible (ideally 09/10.2024)
Travel: Up to 50%

About us

Koa Germany GmbH is part of a Swiss-Ghanaian Scale-Up in its growth phase, disrupting the cocoa value chain in West Africa. Koa is the first and so-far only company in the world processing the fresh cocoa fruit in cooperation with smallholders in rural Ghana. Through Koa’s activities, the farmers increase their income significantly and upcycle an additional 40% of the cocoa pulp. As a B Corp, we believe in creating positive change, one upcycled cocoa fruit at a time. From farmers to the planet, we’re here to make a difference that matters, where it matters most. Because caring is cool, and making the world a better place is even cooler.

The cocoa fruit is the chocolate industry's hidden gem and we are on a mission to uncover its juicy secrets. We’re all about making food and drinks so tasty, you’ll want to share it with your grandma (and she’ll probably ask for seconds). Whether it's the best ice cream, a refreshing soda, or a scrumptious snack, we believe taste buds are meant to dance with joy. And we’re sure the cocoa fruit will make them go wild! In recent years, we have established a robust value chain and, by opening the world`s largest cocoa fruit processing factory in Ghana we laid the foundations for growth. Now it is all about spreading the word taste, creating exciting product concepts which will leave people grinning from ear to ear - like love at the first taste.

Are you up for the Koa-coaster? It's a ride of courageous passion, where every twist and turn gets us closer to greatness. Buckle up, embrace the adventure, and apply to make the magic happen.

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