Our Team

Born and educated in India, Rajeev hails from a family deeply entrenched in coffee cultivation for the past six decades in the scenic Coorg district of South India, often referred to as the 'Scotland of India.' In the late 1980s, he embarked on a journey to Australia and pursued a career as an engineer. His passion for founding Origin Coffee in Australia had a dual purpose: to introduce the world to the exquisite shade-grown coffees produced by his family and to make available some of the finest Indian-grown coffee varieties to the Australian market. Their unwavering commitment lies in the ethical cultivation of shade-grown coffee, promoting sustainability, and advocating for environmental protection.

Abhi stands as a cornerstone of our team at Origin Coffee Traders, with an unwavering dedication spanning 15 years to our mission. His extensive skill set encompasses various facets of our coffee business, rendering him an invaluable asset. Abhi excels in sourcing coffee from producers across the globe, adeptly negotiating prices, dissecting market trends, and skillfully managing risk. Additionally, he oversees the intricate logistics of coffee, from shipping to warehousing, with exceptional efficiency. His forte extends to building robust relationships with coffee producers, buyers, and industry stakeholders. Beyond his professional aptitude, Abhi's passion for problem-solving shines through in his work approach. He is also known for his steadfast commitment to an active lifestyle, a reflection of his hearty appetite and warm-hearted nature. With a friendly smile, an appreciation for red wine, and a fondness for Japanese whiskey, Abhi not only elevates our team's professionalism but also enriches its camaraderie.

Guy's journey in hospitality and the coffee industry commenced upon his arrival in Australia in 1993. Throughout the years, he has donned various roles, ranging from being a skilled Barista and coffee trainer to the successful ownership of an award-winning café for over 13 years. In 2002, Guy etched his name in history as the first coffee roaster to establish a roastery in the picturesque Blue Mountains of New South Wales. His extensive experience spans nearly every facet of the coffee domain. In 2019, Guy channelled his wealth of expertise into OCT and currently assumes the role of General Manager, overseeing operations, sales, and marketing. Beyond his commitment to coffee, Guy is an enthusiastic beekeeper with a profound passion for Triumph motorcycles.

Megan assumes the role of Logistics Administrator at Origin Coffee Traders, bringing with her a wealth of experience spanning 4 years and 8 months. In her capacity, she takes the reins once a contract is booked, seamlessly coordinating with suppliers and agents. Her responsibilities encompass obtaining freight quotes, managing bookings, tracking shipments, overseeing clearance at the destination, and ensuring smooth delivery to 3PLs (third-party logistics providers). Her role extends to inventory control, where she meticulously manages stock quantities across Australia, excelling in reconciling and handling general administrative tasks. With a robust background, including 8 years of experience as an Exports Administrator in an International Logistics Organization, Megan possesses expertise in managing international shipments, whether by LCL (Less than Container Load), FCL (Full Container Load), or air freight, connecting Australia to destinations worldwide.

Mark Knapp is a versatile professional in the coffee world, known for his expertise as a roaster, barista, speaker, and trainer. With years of experience in owning and operating both roasteries and cafes, Mark possesses a unique versatility. He is equally skilled at navigating the intricacies of the C Market as he is at crafting an exceptional cup of coffee. Mark has played a prominent role in the coffee industry for over 15 years. As an experienced Brewers Cup competitor, an early Q grader, and a vocal advocate for transparency and traceability in coffee, he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his position as Green Bean Broker at Origin Coffee Traders' VIC/TAS branch. When he's not skillfully brokering the best deals for OCT clients, Mark enjoys catching waves in his hometown of Geelong.

Hailing from the beautiful coffee farms of Coorg, India, I have a deep-rooted connection to coffee cultivation and a passion for sharing my expertise. My journey began on a small robusta plantation, where I gained a profound understanding of Indian coffee, farming techniques, and processing methods. I love working with roasters and helping find solutions in finding the right coffees and blend creation. I'm not just all about the beans; I'm also a tech-savvy marketing pro and love playing hockey!

Gabe has been a stalwart in the Specialty Coffee Scene in WA for the last 14 years and counting. Starting from the ground up as a Barista and working his way through all the disciplines that coffee entails, From Barista, Barista Trainer, Café Owner, Coffee Roaster, Coffee Roastery owner, you name it, he probably has done it. As a Coffee Roaster, his roasting has won him multiple awards in local and International competitions. As a Barista, he has placed in most of the disciplines in Barista Competitions, culminating in a win in the 2015 WA Latte Art Championship and a two second places in the Barista and Cup-tasting competitions. Gabe is also a Q Grader and utilizes his acute Sensory skills as a Judge at the Australian international Coffee Awards and the Western Australia Honey Ambrosia/Mead Awards.

Kim joined OCT in 2018, having previously worked in the hospitality industry. Since 2018 Kim has acquired extensive knowledge in all aspects of OCT operations, commencing her journey in our Customer Care and Sales Support role before moving into the Assistant Buyer and Quality Assurance role. Her passion for all things coffee and enthusiasm drives a desire to expand on industry knowledge. Organized and methodical by nature, Kim's day to day tasks include roasting, cupping, meticulously assessing and recording all pre-shipment and arrival samples. Collaboratively, Kim works closely with our trusted partners and team of brokers, actively monitoring the coffee market to ensure that we provide competitive pricing to our valued customers. In her leisure time, Kim finds enjoyment in both sewing and playing netball.

Kirstie is a Sales Support Coordinator who became an integral part of the OCT team in 2021. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for streamlining processes, Kirstie specializes in processing and coordinating all customer orders within Australia. Her responsibilities extend to managing accounts receivable and overseeing outward logistics to ensure smooth and efficient operations. Kirstie has a passion for cooking and baking and is often bringing in amazing cakes, pastries and home made meals to keep the troops going.

Accomplished accountant with over 20 years of experience, specializing in financial management and strategic planning. Immigrated to Australia in 1989, bringing a wealth of international expertise. Joined OCT in 2022, contributing seasoned skills to optimize financial processes and drive organizational success.