Location Paris
Job-type Permanent
Salary €Competitive
Reference ACRE-12553

Acre is partnering with a leading global soft commodities trader for the recruitment of an Agricultural Soft Commodity Sustainability Director to be based in Paris or Amsterdam.

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The Soft Commodities Trader's Sustainability Objectives

The objective of the company's sustainability programs is to contribute to improving soft agricultural commodities farmers' livelihoods through a holistic and varied set of economic, social and environmental interventions. Through the implementation and sourcing of soft agricultural commodities from sustainability programs in the countries from which it sources, the company seeks to build strong, sustainability-based partnerships with large manufacturers and local suppliers. The company's objective is to support these clients to achieve traceability, obtain necessary program data, and deliver impact throughout their sustainable supply chains, whilst liaising closely with local suppliers and implementers to implement systems and source soft agricultural commodities that meet the increasing requirements of customers, consumers and consuming countries' regulations.

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The Role of the Agricultural Soft Commodity Sustainability Director

The Agricultural Soft Commodity Sustainability Director will be responsible for deploying the overall soft agricultural commodities sustainability strategy for the associated department, liaising closely with the sustainability team, the Head of Agricultural Soft Commodity, and the Trading team. This will include maintaining the sustainability strategy as contemporary and in line with stakeholder expectations and requirements. As the Commodities Sustainability Director, you will manage internal and external relationships with stakeholders, including but not limited to opinion leaders, industry associations, civil society, financial institutions, regulators, etc. You will also manage certain key customer accounts and support the sustainability team to deliver on the Group and its clients' sustainability commitments. Finally, you will be responsible for the successful deployment of sustainability programs,budgets (including tracking), and assuring compliance with the European Union and other consuming and producing country regulations, by successfully overseeing the activities of the soft agricultural commodities sustainability team.

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Responsibilities and Tasks

Under the oversight of the Head of the Agricultural Soft Commodity, you will:

  • Oversee and deploy the Department's sustainability strategy, including the ongoing review of the strategy's contemporary significance

  • Oversee and ensure compliance with the European Union and all other consuming and producing country-applicable regulations

  • Oversee and ensure the certification of the company's sustainability-related operations and its major trading operations

  • Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships, including direct participation in selected activities

  • Oversee the implementation of flagship projects

  • Manage certain key customer accounts

  • Stay abreast of developments and trends in sustainability and regulations

  • Liaise and report to Financial Institutions for loans, related to sustainability criteria

  • Responsible for certain key internal and external reports

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Preferred Skills and Expertise

  • A degree in a relevant field, such as sustainability, economics, supply chain management, development, tropical agriculture, rural development, etc.

  • A can-do attitude with a readiness to 'roll up your sleeves'

  • At least 15 years of relevant experience

  • A deep knowledge of and practical experience in tropical agricultural supply chains

  • Proven track record of leading teams and influencing stakeholders

  • Proven track record of implementing strategies in a pragmatic and scalable manner

  • Experience in developing and managing group budgets, in line with corporate requirements, guidelines and principals

  • Strong analytical skills and ability to use them to 'see the big picture'

  • Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

  • Proven ability to collaborate with internal teams, clients, and external partners

  • Strong problem-solving skills

  • Fluency in English is required, with knowledge of French and Spanish as a plus

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If you believe this is a role for you to make a difference within a dynamic and international team, please apply directly via the link/Acre's website. For any enquiries, please contact Thaddeus Tan at thaddeus.tan@acre.com.