Agricultural Supply Chain Certification Specialist

Do you have a passion for agriculture and the environment? Do you want to make a difference by ensuring businesses meet the right standards and address environmental deficiencies? If so, then you might be the match for our role as Agricultural Supply Chain Certification Specialist, managing the execution of Supply Chain audits on the east coast of the United States and Canada.

The Opportunity:

You'll be responsible for working with supply-chain clients to plan and conduct thorough audits, document findings, and provide actionable results. Your day-to-day workload will include corresponding with clients, travelling in the US & Canada to client's manufacturing facilities, and conducting sustainability audits. Success in this position will rely on effectively managing your workload, planning audits and travel, and ensure compliance with relevant requirements and deadlines.

As soon as you start your new job, you'll begin training and learn how to manage certification for clients and audit to our sustainability standards. You'll be auditing against our approved agriculture standards and will assist in developing and improving these services. After a few months, you'll be supporting the success and growth of our Agricultural Supply Chain Certification services in the US and Canada.

You will be…

• Managing a portfolio of certified clients to ensure their required audits are scheduled, carried out and completed on time

• Communicating with clients from the beginning of their audit cycle to the closure and recommendation of their certification.

• Working with budgeting, coordinating logistical planning, report review and database administration.
• Traveling to the client’s manufacturing facilities, conducting thorough audits, and documenting findings in detailed reports.
• Responsible for verifying implementation of corrective actions and ensuring each client’s ongoing compliance.
• Acting as a primary point of contact to support clients day-to-day with their sustainable certifications.
• Supporting the US & Canada Agricultural supply-Chain Certification team in its growth and development
• Training to audit to new standards and programs when relevant
• Assisting with onboarding new clients

Role Progression:

Don't have auditing experience? No problem! We will provide the necessary training for you to obtain it because working with Preferred by Nature is very much about your growth.

Within one month you will:

• Meet the team and learn our systems, tools, and resources available to you
• If relevant, begin training to audit the applicable sustainability standards (Rainforest Alliance (RA), Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Supply Chain, etc.
• Witness existing auditors complete on-site audits in person to become familiar with the auditing process
• Begin to understand management of a portfolio of certified clients and its relevant requirements, working with them directly to coordinate their required annual audits

Within three months you will:

• Attain auditor qualifications for one or more sustainable certifications
• Begin scheduling, planning, and executing travel to client’s facilities to conduct on-site sustainability audits
• Start leading certification audits under the active support of your team.

Within one year you will:

• Be comfortable preparing clients for audits, performing audits, and follow up on audit findings to track progress.
• Attain lead auditor qualification for the relevant sustainable certifications
• Keep abreast of regulations, industry trends, and emerging sustainability issues to maintain relevance and effectiveness in audits.
• Successfully ensure your client portfolio is audited on time and following relevant requirements
• Work with the team to determine avenues for growth and development of new and existing certifications
• Continue developing professional growth by working with new programs and departments within Preferred by Nature
• Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and clients to address concerns and ensure alignment with sustainability goals.

Important that you:

• Have a bachelor's degree with a concentration in Agriculture, Ecology, Biology, Conservation or a related field OR relevant work experience
• Have two years of experience in Agricultural Supply Chains, certification, or similar
• Can manage competing priorities while working both independently and as part of a team
• Can manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Are fluent in English – verbal and written.
• Have strong customer service skills/orientation: ability and willingness to find out what the customer wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organization’s costs and benefits into account
• Are willing to travel up to 50% of the time within the United States and Canada
• Have strong interpersonal skills are necessary for building rapport with clients, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and navigating complex stakeholder relationships

Would also be great, but not necessary if you:

• Have experience auditing agricultural, social, and/or management certification schemes (RA, RSPO, UEBT, SRP, Global GAP, Café Practices, or similar)
• Knowledge of Rainforest Alliance certification, RSPO certification, or similar a plus
• Experience working in compliance or quality assurance
• Have dual work eligibility (US and Canada)
• Are fluent in Spanish or another language
• Experience with MS 365 Suite, SharePoint, and Salesforce

What Sets Us Apart:

• Global work culture
• Remote work; enjoy flexible hours and independence
• An in-depth onboarding and professional training that prepares you with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in this role
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
• Potential future international travel opportunities
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
• Medical/Dental/Vision/FSA plus company-sponsored STD, LTD and Life Insurance
• 401(k) plan with generous match
24 days of vacation leave per year plus federal holidays

Preferred by Nature

Preferred by Nature is a non-profit, mission driven organisation that works for sustainable land management and climate-friendly solutions. With 300+ employees and a network of local experts, we develop practical solutions to drive positive impacts in production landscapes and Supply Chains in 100+ countries. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors.

How to apply:

If you feel you meet the requirements of the role, please submit your CV and cover letter (optional) (in English), including salary expectations by March 15, 2024, via the application form below.

Please note: Only applicants legally eligible to work in the United States will be considered.

Application pre-screening will be conducted during the application period.

Preferred by Nature wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

For questions, please contact:

Porter Friedman, Senior Agriculture Manager – US/Canada
E-mail: pfriedman@preferredbynature.org