Kennedy Gachingiri CV * P a g e

KENNEDY GACHINGIRI

+254-***-***-***/+254-***-***-*** adwb49@r.postjobfree.com PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

A meticulous, resourceful, and dynamic individual with rich experience in inspecting materials, processes, and end- products to ensure conformance to quality standards in the tea industry. In-depth Knowledge of the International tea trade industry and the changing business environment. Able to direct the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products. A keen eye for detail when it comes to developing managing and performing various quality assurance activities. Good people skills coupled with an understanding of quality, product development, occupational health, safety, and environmental systems management and management of resources. AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Logistical Planning Tea Tasting & Blending Business Development Shipment Management Export Management Cargo Clearance & Tracking Transport Management Stakeholders Management Quality Assurance Inventory Management Record keeping Health & Safety Reporting Operational Analysis Cost Minimization Auctioning Tea Tasting Quality Management Systems Ms Suite ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Business & Information Technology St. Paul’s University 2013 Diploma in Business Administration Institute Of Advanced Technology 2009 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Tudor Day & Inooro High School 2000 Certifications

Computer Programming Institute of Advanced Technology

Database Administration – Microsoft QL server 2005 Institute of Advanced Technology

Database Administration in Oracle 10g (OCA 10g) Institute of Advanced Technology

Advanced Microsoft Access/Excel Institute of Advanced Technology WORK EXPERIENCE

UNILEVER TEA KENYA LIMITED

LOGISTICS SPECIALIST & LEAD OPERATIONAL TEA TASTER 02/2021 – 01/2023 Overall Purpose: Responsible for improving the efficiency of logistics and supply chains. Tea Tasting & Blending

Tasted, valued, and blended tea

Business Development

Coordinated the buying of tea from farmers

Shipment Management

Tracked the progress of shipments to ensure timely deliveries.

Ensured timely clearance of stocks brought in via sea and air cargo by coordinating with supply planners and distributors and ensuring customers have stocks required for sales.

Ensured export shipment booking was initiated after negotiations with shipping lines on reduced rates in comparison to 3rd parties used.

Cargo Tracking

Planned and executed delivery of finished goods stocks to customers by coordinating with the distributor and customers.

Transport & Routing

Scheduled transportation services and planned routes.

Collaborated with internal departments to optimize transportation services. Stakeholders Management

Kennedy Gachingiri CV 2 P a g e

Coordinated with external logistics suppliers, such as third-party delivery companies or air freighters. Quality Assurance

Inspected deliveries for misplaced orders or damaged goods. Inventory Management

Placed new orders with suppliers to keep the warehouse fully stocked. Safety

Kept up to date with transportation and storage health and safety regulations. Reporting

Prepared and presents regular reports as required. UNILEVER TEA KENYA LIMITED

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT & LEAD OPERATIONAL TEA TASTER 07/2019 – 02/2021 Overall Purpose: Responsible for overseeing all tea production activities ensuring quality compliance and customer needs have been fully met.

Led in tea tasting and blending.

Created forward contracts in UTS (Unilever Tea System) as appropriate.

Jointly with the procurement manager negotiated with suppliers to procure tea on long-term and short-term commitments from both local and international producers.

Ensured completion of the daily production targets as assigned to ensure maximum production capacity utilization.

Monitored and validated stock and non-stock movements, initiated requisitions for additional stocks, and authorized the issue of items from the store.

Ensured goods were packed to meet the stipulated quantity and quality standards to meet customer and market demand.

Ensured the working environment was clean and safe for production to maintain food safety standards.

Ensured nil waste generation during the production process to maximize resource utilization.

Ensured adherence to work rules & regulations to maintain a great working environment to thrive and operate.

Liaised with the quality assurance department in case of quality-related issues to ensure conformance to food safety and quality standards.

Ensured the working environment was clean and safe for production to maintain food safety standards.

Determined tea quality through objective tea tasting and reporting.

Promoted tea sales to different clients and established competitive contracts.

Implemented and controlled Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in the factory.

Established marketing initiatives within the organization while researching tea trends from production to demand from markets.

Monitored production performance and KPIs in the factory; verified and validated the reports on a weekly and monthly basis.

UNILEVER TEA KENYA LIMITED

QUALITY OFFICER & LEAD OPERATIONAL TEA TASTER 07/2018 – 06/2019 Overall Purpose: Responsible for coordinating and supporting the implementation of the Food Quality and Safety Management System (FQSMS).

Led in tea tasting and blending.

Implemented Good Manufacturing practices in all sections of manufacture in the production shifts.

Collected and monitored production process data, and analyzed and generated daily, weekly, and monthly quality reports.

Supported compliance with statutory, Unilever, and other requirements in Food safety and QMS. Kennedy Gachingiri CV 3 P a g e

Supported field and factory teams in the process of production of quality-made tea in line with customer and consumer specifications.

Supported the Implementation of Quality and Consumer Safety Management systems and ISO in the Field and Factory as per Unilever, legal and other requirements.

Supported the Implementation of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in the units.

Supported the Implementation of Good Manufacturing/Agricultural/Saleroom Practices

(GMP/GMP/GSP) in the Units.

Initiated and implemented quality improvement plans and activities in the units in liaison with the unit manager.

Monitored stock levels, approval, movement, and use. Validated stock and non-stock items.

Approved receipts and issues of stocks in the QA.

Implemented Safety, Health & Environmental management systems as per Unilever standards and legislation within the area of responsibility.

Coordinated implementation of standard operating procedures, and specific work instructions and ensure compliance, and collated proposals for reviews.

Other Positions Held:

o Customer Service & Logistics Officer Unilever Tea Kenya Limited 02/2015 – 06/2018 o Procurement Tea Auction – Auction Department Unilever Kenya Limited 2013 – 2014 o Procurement Tea Support – Auction Department Unilever Kenya Limited 2012 – 2013 o Procurement Tea Support – Non-Auction Department Unilever Kenya Limited 2011 - 2012 o Tea Supply Assistant – Non-Auction Department Unilever Kenya Limited 2007 – 2011 NOTABLE TRAINING

Qualty Management Systems Lead Auditor – ISO 9001:2015 SGS Systems & Services Certification 2019 Food Safety Management System Auditor/Lead Auditor – FSSV 22000 v4.1 ISO 22000:2018 SGS Systems

& Services Certification 2019

Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 SGS Systems & Services Certification 2019 First Aider Refresher Course Kenya Red Cross Society 2009 First Aider Kenya Red Cross Society 2008

Customer Relationship Management Futureforce Consultancy in Partnership with International Customer Care Skills Passport.

Internal Quality Auditing SGS Systems & Services Certification 2005 Introduction To io 9001:2000 SGS Systems & Services Certification 2005 Hygiene Awareness SGS Systems & Services Certification 2004 REFERENCES

Mr. John Mutua

Procurement Director

Ekaterratea – Mombasa

Tel: +254-***-***-***

Email: adwb49@r.postjobfree.com

Mr. Alfred Kirui

Head of Tea Procurement – AMET

Unilever Gulf FZE

Tel: +97-148-***-***

Email: adwb49@r.postjobfree.com

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