Cashew Manufacturing Expert

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Cashew Manufacturing Expert
Sector: Customs, Trade and Investment Climate
Position Type: Part-time
Duration/Level of Effort: Short-term
Position Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contractual Arrangement: “Eligible for individual (international) expert”

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The CAPRED Facility is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next four years, with a possible three-year extension.

The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment, which promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE).

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and one Cross-Cutting component comprising: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does.

Under its Trade and Investment, and Agro-processing domain, CAPRED supports the development of the cashew sector by improving domestic processing, enabling value addition, and enhancing export readiness.

CAPRED is working with a private sector partner operating a pilot cashew processing facility (1,500-3,000 MT/year) that aims to scale to 20,000 MT/year. To support this transition, CAPRED seeks a qualified operational industry expert in cashew processing and manufacturing to assess current operations and provide practical, high-impact recommendations for efficiency improvement, value-added product development, pricing, and scale-up planning and investment needs.

SCOPE OF WORK
The Cashew manufacturing expert will assess the operations of the exiting factory and provide strategic advice in the following areas:

1. Operations & Productivity: review process flows, throughput, facility layout, and productivity and identify bottlenecks and propose cost-effective and quality improvements
2. Equipment & Processing: evaluate all processing stages: drying, storage/warehouse, de-shelling, peeling, grading, roasting, packaging and recommend equipment upgrades and layout changes to support scale-up
3. Workforce & HR: assess workforce structure, productivity, and technical skills and propose staffing plans and training strategies for current operation and scale-up
4. Pricing Strategy: analyze cost structures and develop pricing models for B2B, retail, and export and recommend pricing by product type and market segment
5. Identify investment needs: help the firm quantify the size of the funding required to achieve the desired scale-up.

In addition, the cashew manufacturing expert will develop a standardized guide for operating and scaling up cashew processing factories, drawing on lessons from successful commercial operations and business practices. The guide will be tailored to the Cambodian context, empowering local processors to enhance their operational efficiency and drive export-ready growth (subject to further discussion as the work evolves).

KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE
Task 1: Develop Detailed Workplan
Timeframe: December 2025
Deliverables:

• A detailed work plan, including the methodology, specific timelines, and expected outputs for each activity (based on the scope of work).
• This will be accompanied by a draft of key questions for the operational diagnostic, which may include detailed plan for the groundwork in Cambodia.
• Draft Outline of the Operational Diagnostic Report.

Task 2: Conduct Operational Diagnostic and Develop Standard Guide for Operating to Scaling Up Cashew Processing Factories
Timeframe: February 2026
Deliverables:

• Draft findings of the Operational Diagnostic and Improvement Plan (aligned with the agreed-upon scope of work).
• Key findings presentation.
• Draft a standardized guide for operating to scaling up cashew processing, based on lessons learned from real-world operations and industry practices, and adapted for Cambodian processors

Task 3: Draft and Final Report and Implementation Plan
Timeframe: February - June 2026
Deliverables:

• Draft and Final Report on the Operational Diagnostic. This report will provide a concise analysis of the cashew manufacturing operations, identify bottlenecks, recommend specific equipment upgrades for scale-up, outline a strategic workforce and training plan, and establish a new standard costing model to inform a dynamic pricing strategy for various markets. The report will also include a comprehensive implementation plan with specific milestones, timelines, and expected outcomes.
• Final presentation on the Operational Diagnostic and Improvement Plan, detailing resource requirements for HR, technology, processing, and final products to support business expansion.
• Final standardized guide for operating to scaling up cashew processing, based on lessons learned from real-world operations and industry practices, and adapted for Cambodian processors
• Support other essential tasks requested by CAPRED

Qualifications and Experience
To be considered for this position, the ideal candidate must possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A minimum of 10-15 years of proven experience in a senior operational or technical role within the cashew processing plant and manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated deep knowledge of all cashew processing stages, including drying, storage, de-shelling, grading, peeling, roasting, and packaging. This includes expertise in equipment evaluation, plant layout optimization, and quality control systems (e.g., HACCP, ISO, Organic certification, and standard market entry requirements).
• Demonstrated success in managing and improving factory operations, productivity, and supply chain logistics for raw cashew nuts (RCN), finished products, and by-products.
• Strong understanding of product development, pricing strategies for different markets (B2B, retail, export), branding, and market analysis.
• A track record of leading and implementing strategic improvement projects that result in increased efficiency, capacity, and profitability.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills, with the ability to provide clear, actionable recommendations to stakeholders.
• Prior experience working in the cashew sector in Cambodia or other similar cashew nut-producing/processing countries is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the Cambodian cashew context is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing GEDSI principles and climate resilience into assessments and recommendations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are essential, and proficiency in Khmer is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively with a diverse team, including the CAPRED team, other experts, and CAPRED’s partners.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send your cover letter and CV, including the names and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees, and your proposed methodology and workplan to address this assignment with your expected daily rate to recruitment@capred.org. In the subject line, please mention the position you are applying for: “Operational Industry Expert in Cashew Processing and Manufacturing.”

Closing Date: 21 November 2025

Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017. 

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.