Operations Manager - Floriculture

Full Time 10 hours ago
Employment Information

Key Responsibilities

Export Planning & Forecasting

  • Work closely with the Farm Manager to obtain projected flower production and export volumes.
  • Develop export forecasts based on farm production, buyer requirements, orders, and market demand.
  • Understand buyer requirements and translate them into practical production and export plans.
  • Monitor available flower volumes, quality, specifications, and readiness for export.
  • Maintain regular communication with international buyers following communication and direction from the COO.
  • Coordinate closely with the farm to ensure production plans are aligned with confirmed and anticipated orders.

Logistics & Export Operations

  • Manage end-to-end logistics of flowers from the farm to the airport and onward to international destinations.
  • Coordinate clearing, forwarding, transportation, cold-chain logistics, and airport cargo handling.
  • Work closely with airlines, cargo handlers, clearing agents, transporters, and other logistics partners to ensure timely dispatch.
  • Monitor airline schedules, cargo capacity, flight changes, and potential disruptions that may affect exports.
  • Ensure flowers are handled and transported within the required timelines and conditions.
  • Identify and resolve logistical challenges that may affect export schedules or product quality.

Airport Cargo & Export Documentation

  • Coordinate flower deliveries and cargo operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
  • Manage and verify export documentation, including Airway Bills (AWBs) and related shipping documentation.
  • Ensure export documentation is accurate, complete, and available within required timelines.
  • Liaise with clearing and forwarding agents and relevant airport stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable export, customs, cargo handling, and aviation requirements.
  • Maintain proper records of shipments, documentation, and export transactions.

Farm & Operational Coordination

  • Maintain close visibility of activities at the farm and ensure operational issues affecting exports are identified early.
  • Coordinate with the Farm Manager on production, harvesting, packing, dispatch readiness, and projected export volumes.
  • Monitor the availability of flowers against buyer orders and export forecasts.
  • Coordinate operational purchases and requirements with the relevant teams.
  • Ensure timely communication between the farm, Nairobi office, logistics partners, and management.
  • Conduct regular farm visits to monitor operations and resolve emerging issues.

Stakeholder & Buyer Coordination

  • Maintain professional relationships with international buyers, logistics partners, clearing agents, airlines, and other operational stakeholders.
  • Follow up on buyer requirements and ensure they are communicated accurately to the relevant teams.
  • Coordinate with Finance and Accounts on payments, logistics costs, purchases, and other operational requirements.
  • Work closely with the COO and Managing Director on operational priorities and export planning.
  • Provide management with regular updates on production, export volumes, shipments, logistics challenges, and operational performance.

Office & Administrative Operations

  • Oversee the smooth day-to-day running of the Nairobi office from an operational perspective.
  • Maintain accurate operational records, shipment files, buyer information, forecasts, and logistics documentation.
  • Coordinate internal communication between the Nairobi office and farm.
  • Support basic employee coordination and ensure operational teams have the resources required to perform effectively.
  • Assist management with operational reporting and other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Agribusiness, or a related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in floriculture, flower exports, logistics, supply chain, or agricultural export operations.
  • Proven experience coordinating flower exports and airport cargo operations.
  • Good understanding of cold-chain logistics and perishable goods handling.
  • Experience working with international buyers, airlines, clearing agents, freight forwarders, and logistics providers.
  • Strong knowledge of export documentation, including Airway Bills and customs/clearing documentation.
  • Good understanding of the Kenyan flower export ecosystem and relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Strong forecasting, planning, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
  • Ability to work under tight timelines and manage time-sensitive export operations.
  • Willingness to travel regularly between the Nairobi office, farm, airport, and other operational locations.

Core Competencies

  • Strong operations and logistics management
  • Export planning and forecasting
  • Floriculture and perishable goods knowledge
  • Buyer and stakeholder relationship management
  • Strong attention to detail and documentation
  • Problem-solving and decision-making
  • Excellent communication and coordination
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
  • Proactive and hands-on approach to operations
  • High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism
Skills
Communication Excel
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