Alex van de Langenberg

YEP period 2021 - 2023, batch 24

YEP Role

Role: Agrofood Operations Manager

Hollanda Fairfoods is a potato processing factory in Musanze, Rwanda. HFF sources potatoes from local smallholder farmers and processes them into potato crisps marketed under the brand Winnaz in Rwanda, Uganda, Congo. This value addition enables farmers to access a premium market that pays up to 15% more for their produce than local traders would.

One of the key challenges Hollanda Fairfoods faces is to have a continuous, reliable supply of high-quality potatoes to the factory. HFF rejects 90% of potatoes delivered at the factory gate. Consequently, the factory operates at only 16% of its capacity. This leaves a huge gap for sourcing more potatoes from smallholder farmers and creating more (in-)direct employment in Rwanda.

The project will focus on improving the following aspects of the value chain:

• Outgrower schemes
• Design standardized entrepreneurship training program for farmers
• Implementation of a Farmer Management System (ERP)
• Construction of post-harvest storage facilities
• Implementing potato logistics best practice
• Expand and train factory capacity (workforce)

Skills

• Operations Management
• Agro-processing & value addition
• Green Procurement & Sustainable sourcing
• Supply Chain & Logistics Management
• Humanitarian Logistics & CTP

Background

• Nationality: Dutch
• Education:
  • Advanced Certificate in Humanitarian Logistics (IUEA)
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Procurement & Logistics Management (IUEA)

Experience before YEP

• Production Leader HEMA
• Junior Operations Manager Afokantan Benin Cashew
• Different short-term logistics positions: CSR Supply Chain Control Tower at DeRijke Logistics and Freight Dispatcher at Raillogix
• Marketing & Communications Coordinator (SBS Security & Safety Products)
• Co-founded Toss-Consults in Uganda (HSSEQ consultancy)
• Volunteer at CEPO Uganda via Be-more and at Bwalo Initiative in Malawi