Senior Trader - Green Coffee (Southeast and Central Asia)

Company Description

Sucafina is the leading sustainable Farm to Roaster coffee company, with a family tradition in commodities that stretches back to 1905. Today, with more than 1,500 employees in 44 countries, we help stakeholders worldwide to find the perfect coffee solutions. We embed technology, innovation, and sustainability throughout the supply chain, creating shared value for all by Investing in Farmers, Caring for People, and Protecting Our Planet. For more information, visit www.sucafina.com.

Job Description

We are looking for a commercially sharp, coffee-first trader to own Sucafina's sales book into Southeast and Central Asia. This is a full-P&L role: you will build and run the regional client portfolio, manage a long/short physical and futures position, and set the commercial strategy that grows our volume, margin and share across some of the fastest-evolving coffee consumption markets in the world.

The right person knows coffee in the cup and on the screen. You understand how quality, origin, differentials and the terminal markets interact, you are comfortable carrying risk and defending your position, and you have the relationships and credibility to sit across the table from roasters, soluble manufacturers, importers and distributors and become their trusted supply partner.

1. Trading and position management

• Own the regional book: manage a long/short physical position across Arabica and Robusta, including flat price, differential and spread exposure, within approved limits.
• Hedge and manage futures exposure on ICE New York (Arabica) and ICE London (Robusta); manage price-fixing, rolls, spreads and differential risk across open contracts.
• Price offers accurately: build landed-cost and replacement-cost pricing incorporating differentials, freight, financing, FX, insurance and margin.
• Run a forward view on the book: mark-to-market discipline, daily P&L understanding, and clear explanation of drivers to the Head of APAC and risk teams.
• Source supply for the region in coordination with origin offices and global trading desks, taking positions ahead of demand where the risk/reward justifies it.
• Stay within all risk limits, counterparty and credit parameters, and escalate early when the position or market moves materially.

2. Clients and commercial development

• Own all client relationships in the region end to end – from first contact and sampling through contracting, shipment, delivery and final payment.
• Travel regularly to client markets to build deep, multi-level relationships with roasters, soluble/instant manufacturers, RTD producers, importers, distributors and coffee chains.
• Grow the portfolio: win new accounts, deepen share of wallet with existing ones, and develop structured offerings (forward contracts, price-to-be-fixed, consignment, blends, sustainable/certified programmes) that fit each client's needs.
• Act as a market advisor to clients – sharing market views, origin updates and risk management ideas that help them buy better.
• Negotiate contract terms, pricing and payment terms in line with Sucafina standards and credit policy.

3. Market intelligence and strategy

• Build and maintain a deep understanding of each market: macroeconomics, FX and import regimes, consumption trends, taste and quality preferences, retail and out-of-home channels, and all major and emerging players.
• Develop and own a multi-year regional commercial strategy – which markets, segments and clients to prioritise, what volume and margin targets look like, and what resources are required.
• Identify structural opportunities – e.g. domestic consumption growth at origin, soluble and RTD expansion, specialty and certified demand, overland/rail logistics routes into Central Asia – and turn them into business plans.
• Track competitor activity and pricing, and feed market insight back to origin offices and the global trading network.
• Produce regular market and book reviews for APAC leadership: position, P&L, pipeline, client health and outlook.

4. Quality and origin coordination

• Calibrate with origin offices on qualities, grades, cup profiles and specifications so we offer the right coffee to the right client.
• Cup and grade coffee with confidence; match client cup profiles and build blends or specs that are both competitive and consistent.
• Manage quality claims and disputes professionally, protecting both the client relationship and Sucafina's margin.

5. Execution, logistics and people

• Lead the regional logistics / contract execution team, ensuring contracts, shipping, documentation, financing and collections run smoothly and on time.
• Be accountable for every contract until the coffee is delivered and Sucafina is paid – including shipment planning, documentary requirements and receivables follow-up.
• Work closely with finance, credit, risk, compliance and sustainability teams to ensure trades are correctly booked, financed and compliant (including traceability and regulatory requirements such as EUDR where relevant).
• Coach and develop the team, building capability and a strong culture of ownership and client service.

Qualifications

Experience

• 7+ years in the green coffee industry, with at least 5 years in a trading role carrying P&L and position responsibility.
• Proven track record of managing a long/short physical position and hedging on ICE Arabica and Robusta futures, including price-fixing, spreads and differentials.
• Demonstrated success building and growing a client book – ideally with Asian roasters, soluble manufacturers or distributors.
• Experience leading or managing a team, ideally in logistics, contracts or trade execution.
• Excellent English in both writing and speaking.

Coffee knowledge

• Deep understanding of major producing origins – Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Central America and East Africa – including crop cycles, quality profiles, differentials and supply risks.
• Strong grasp of global supply/demand fundamentals and how weather, FX, freight, certified stocks and fund positioning move the market.
• Confident cupper and grader; Q Grader or R Grader certification is a plus.
• Working knowledge of coffee contract terms (e.g. ECC/GCA), trade finance, Incoterms and shipping documentation.

Additional Information

• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Flexibility to travel as needed to engage with suppliers, buyers, and attend industry events;