We are Seeking Coffee Quality Control Manager

About the Company

Ethiopia’s largest direct-trade digital marketplace for smallholder coffee farmers. We are working to correct the imbalances of the coffee industry by connecting smallholder coffee farmers directly to international buyers. We are building community through coffee to revolutionize the industry. We are looking for ambitious, driven, and passionate individuals.

Our Values

• SOLIDARITY: We work together towards shared goals and a common purpose;
• INTEGRITY: Always conduct yourself and your work in a fair and honest manner;
• PROGRESSIVE: We embrace change and challenges; we innovate and create opportunities for growth;
• STRIVE: Work hard, work smart, get out of your comfort zone and push your limits;
• HEART: We care for each other, our clients, and our community - together we are strong.

Position Title

Coffee Quality Control Manager

Description

Arkena Coffee Market is hiring a Quality Control (QC) Manager to own our sensory quality program and quality decision-making across offer samples, lot samples, and pre-shipment samples. This role is responsible for ensuring coffees meet buyer expectations, documenting and communicating results internally and externally, and managing quality-related disputes in a fair, consistent, and data-driven manner. The QC Manager will also ensure all quality records and sample statuses are accurately captured in the Arkena Coffee Marketplace and maintain all laboratory facilities and equipment.

Position Type

Contractual (3-month probationary period).

Duration

Contract guaranteed for 1 year with the possibility of extension.

Start Date

As soon as possible.

Location

Position is based in Addis Ababa in Kaliti near Sheger Dabo.

Compensation

Up to 60,000.00 ETB/month gross depending upon experience.

Key Responsibilities

Sensory Evaluation & Quality Approval

• Cup and evaluate offer samples, lot samples, and pre-shipment samples using a consistent protocol (e.g., SCA cupping form and internal standards).
• Determine whether coffees meet buyer specifications and Arkena quality thresholds, and provide clear pass/conditional pass/fail decisions.
• Identify and document cup profile, defects (taints/faults), and their causes (processing, drying, storage, age, contamination).
• Track consistency across sample types (offer vs lot vs pre-ship) and flag quality deviations early.

Quality Control Systems & Documentation

• Maintain complete, accurate digital records for all cupping events: sample type, date, lot ID, producer/supplier, processing, moisture/water activity, screen/grade, green analysis notes, cup scores, and decision outcomes.
• Enter results and quality statuses into the Arkena Coffee Marketplace in a timely manner and ensure data integrity across lots and sample workflows.
• Build/maintain internal QC SOPs: sample intake, roasting/cupping parameters, calibration routines, form usage, and decision rules.
• Assist upper management in improving the Arkena System to design new integrations to improve QC functionalities within the platform.

Client Alignment & Communication

• Translate sensory findings into buyer-facing language (English) that is accurate, consistent, and commercially useful (profile notes, risks, expected performance).
• Set clear alignment with buyers to standardize expectations and spec parameters (defect tolerance, flavor profile, score range, processing styles).
• Support sales and logistics teams with quality-driven decisions, including release holds, re-sampling, and pre-shipment approvals.

Dispute Resolution & Supplier Support

• Manage quality disputes with farmers and/or buyers professionally and fairly, using evidence and consistent standards.
• Conduct structured investigations when quality concerns arise including sample chain-of-custody review, storage/handling assessment, re-cupping and triangulation, green re-analysis, and documentation review.
• Communicate outcomes and corrective actions clearly to farmers and/or buyers and internal teams and recommend process improvements to reduce recurrence.

Quality Improvement & Training

• Provide feedback loops to farmers on quality outcomes and practical improvements (fermentation control, drying management, storage, defect prevention).
• Support training for internal cupper calibration and sensory alignment as needed.

Laboratory and Maintenance

• Maintain a clean and professional laboratory and work environment.
• Maintain laboratory equipment completing routine maintenance as necessary.
• Report any laboratory or machine issues once found.

Other Activities

Will assist other Arkena staff as necessary with requests that may not pertain to what is listed above. We are a small team and sometimes we need to support each other to get the job done.

Qualifications

Education/Training

CQI, SCA, ECX or other applicable certifications/trainings are desired.

Experience

At least 2 years’ experience working in coffee specifically in quality control/quality analysis.

Requirements

• Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrated ability to roast samples for sensorial analysis, prepare cupping tables, analyze both raw (green) and sensorial characteristics of coffee.
• Demonstrated experience cupping and making quality decisions in specialty coffee (green buying, QC lab, exporter QC, roaster QC, or equivalent).
• Strong sensory skills and comfort with structured evaluation and defect identification.
• Ability to write clear, commercially relevant sensory notes and communicate decisions to non-technical stakeholders.
• Evidence-based judgment and professionalism in dispute situations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage high-volume sample workflows with consistent documentation.

Preferred

• Q Grader (Arabica) or equivalent credential (not strictly required if experience is strong).
• Experience working within smallholder supply chains.
• Familiarity with moisture and water activity measurement and interpreting storage risk.
• Experience building QC SOPs and basic QC data trackers.

Tools & Working Practices

• Comfortable using digital systems to manage sample tracking and records (spreadsheets, marketplace/admin tools, QC databases).
• Willingness to follow and improve standardized protocols (roast profiles, cupping parameters, calibration routines).
• Must display strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Performance Indicators for this Position (Not Inclusive)

• On-time cupping and data entry (offer/lot/pre-ship).
• Low incidence of preventable quality claims (root cause identified and mitigated).
• Fair and honest coffee scoring.
• Clear, consistent pass/fail criteria and documentation quality.
• Dispute outcomes resolved quickly with strong evidence and stakeholder satisfaction.

To Apply

Please send your resume, a brief cover letter, and a copy of any relevant certificates to: hello@arkenacoffee.com. Be sure to make the email’s subject title match the position title. Deadline to apply is 18th of January, 2026.

Skills Required:

• Quality / Safety