Manager - Tea Taster

Job Purpose :

Curated Group has a vision of collating multiple bands and is looking for a key member for its Tea portfolio. Curated Group has an ambitious vision for growth driven by Innovation.

The role will require creative flair and practical know-how of tea to translate our big ideas into fantastic, flavourful tea products for our customers to enjoy.

For this you will need to be a real “Tea Lover” with a passion for creative, innovative and consumer trend-based product development as we keep looking to expand.

Synopsis of Role – Critical :

Minimum experience of 5-12 years in tasting and selecting teas for premium export markets.

Experience in Specialty Tea’s (Exotic Tea / Relaxation and Anti-Stress Tea / Digestion and Weight Loss Tea / Fruit Tea / Fermented Tea / Floral Tea / Spice Tea / Detox and Cleansing Tea, etc. )

Ensuring compliance with reference standards, and compliance to our quality standards by our co-packing partners.

Experience in planning, budgeting, purchasing and blending teas for premium export markets.

Technical knowledge of tea cultivation and manufacture (ideally in more than one area).

Allotment and assessment of the firms plantation output.

Co-ordination of dispatches from the gardens, blending units and packaging factories.

Willingness to travel within India and abroad on an infrequent basis.

Synopsis of Role – Preferable :

Knowledge of green and herbal teas as well as black tea

Knowledge of Ceylon and Kenyan teas as well as Assam & Darjeeling teas

Knowledge of and travel to, premium export markets

Critical Skills and Job Complexity

a) Knowledge and Skills :

Attention to detail.

Excellent written and spoken English, great interpersonal skills, demonstrable leadership skills, organised, methodical and a self-starter.

Experience managing partner (supplier) relationships, great customer relationship management and ability to work in a team.

Creative with a high level of culinary skill and knowledge to deliver innovative trend-based product development.

Must have a strong competency to demonstrate and present products to a wide audience.

Desirable behaviors – Spark brilliance, drive change, think big, stay curious, inspire ownership & act together.

Quality Assurance, Product Development, Negotiation, Supply Chain Optimization, Strategic Planning, International Business, Manufacturing, Flavors, Planning, Management, Import Export, Food Service, International Trade.

b) Contacts

Types / Levels – Internal & External

Organisation wide (India, UK, AU & CA ) & external too.

c) Problem Solving & Decision Making

Ability to detect noncompliance’s, analyse, prepare report & process / product improvement.

Able to manage their own projects independently; flexible and tenacious.

Preferred Education and Experience

The ideal candidate for the position :

Graduation in any field

Graduation in Botany, Food Sciences, Horticulture, Agriculture or allied fields (Food Technology) - Preferred

Additional Tea Tasting Courses - Preferred

Min 5+ years’ experience in tasting and selecting teas

Should have exposure in managing in a global environment specifically (UK, Australia, CA)