Winrock International: Open Call: Consultants: Processing and Quality Systems Manager/ Transformation Manager & Quality Systems – Weecap Cashew Program (Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau) – Abidjan

Position Overview

The Processing Manager will lead strategic efforts to build the competitiveness of West Africa’s cashew processing industry by working with processors to support the entire processing operation, ensuring efficiency, quality, and profitability. Targeted processing facilities may focus on raw cashew nut, cashew apple and/or co-product development.

She/He will be responsible for ensuring that processors’ operations meet international standards for food safety, traceability, and product quality.

The role focuses on improving operations as well as supporting expansion and installation of new cashew processing plants

The processor and quality systems manager will ensure that processors supported by the WEECAP program have the capacity to adhere to competitive quality standards for national, regional and international markets.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• In collaboration with the Competitiveness & Supply Chain Regional Director develop a work plan with tangible goals and timelines to support the development of processor capacity
• In collaboration with WEECAP partner Business Development Service Providers, develop periodic and ongoing intervention plans
• Propose an action plan to promote cashew nut, apple and by-product processing efficiency, quality, and profitability

Processing Operation

• Diagnose operational bottlenecks and recommend solutions for improved plant efficiency
• Processing Oversight: provide guidance and recommendations for processing activities, including shelling, drying, peeling, grading, and packaging.
• Advise on adoption of modern processing technologies and co-product development
• Guide factories on waste management and strategies to attract and retain women and youth workers
• Improve operational processes with a view to increasing equipment utilization rates and improving the quality of the finished product,
• Develop strategies to reduce processing costs while maintaining high-quality output.
• Support processors to introduce modern processing techniques and equipment to enhance output, quality and competitiveness
• Support cashew factories to pilot or scale the production of co-products
• Coordinate with the Supply Chain Manager to optimize raw cashew nut sourcing.
• Foster the aggregation of kernels from small-scale processors
• Improve factories’ waste management systems.
• Support technical staff recruitment prioritizing women and youth. Support processors to build a retention strategy that will include development/upward mobility for women and youth.
• Encourage and monitor safeguarding practices including workspace safety-

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Support processors to achieve food safety and quality certifications (ISO, HACCP, etc.)
• Ensure processors adherence to certifications and traceability requirements
• Support processors in developing and Quality Management Systems policies aligned with ISO 9001, HACCP and food regulation
• Conduct audits at processors’ level to assess processing efficiency and adherence to quality protocols.

Capacity Building and Shareholders Collaboration

• Strengthen the ability of cashew processors to compete in domestic, regional, and international markets.
• Propose an action plan to promote efficiency, quality, and profitability
• -Collaborate with select BDSPs to provide on-site training

Supply Chain Integration

• Coordinate with the Supply Chain Manager to optimize raw cashew nut sourcing.
• Support market linkages that enable the aggregation of kernels from small-scale processors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, or Food Processing. Masters preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in agricultural engineering, food processing,
• Strong knowledge of cashew value chains and processing techniques.
• Experience working with diverse cashew factories
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
• Willingness to travel within WAEMU countries.

How to Apply:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis—no fixed deadline. Send to [email protected]

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements