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Senior Director, Sustainability - Ag & Trading South America

Cargill Brazil Added on Jun 12, 2026
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As the Senior Director for the Latin American Agriculture and Trading division, you will take full ownership of the region’s sustainability strategy. You will lead a dedicated team to integrate environmental stewardship and social well-being directly into business operations, moving beyond high-level theory to practical field execution across diverse supply chains. Your work involves bridging technical solutions with commercial needs to ensure long-term economic and ecological viability.

This role is critical because Cargill sits at the center of the global food system, where South American sourcing significantly impacts global biodiversity and climate goals. By leading sustainable integration in this region, you directly influence the decarbonization of the agricultural supply chain and the advancement of responsible land-use practices. It is a high-stakes opportunity to drive systemic change where it matters most for the planet’s future.

This suits someone who is a seasoned strategic leader with deep experience in agricultural supply chains and the gravitas to influence both internal executives and external partners.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to provide overall operational direction for sustainability across all LATAM food and trading functions. This involves designing and implementing technical sustainability activities that embed environmental and social considerations into the core business DNA. You will be responsible for strategy development that reduces environmental impact and optimizes resource efficiency. This includes everything from vendor evaluation and selection based on rigid sustainability criteria to building process frameworks that monitor and report regional performance against global corporate goals.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Stepping into this role provides immense exposure to complex global supply chain dynamics and the technical intricacies of agricultural sustainability. You will gain deep knowledge of emerging regulations such as EUDR and other international frameworks that are reshaping how commodities move across borders. Furthermore, you will have the chance to lead large-scale innovation projects in regenerative agriculture and carbon sequestration. The role offers a front-row seat to how a global market leader balances multi-billion dollar economic interests with urgent ecological imperatives.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a heavyweight professional with at least 12 years of experience in sustainability, agriculture, or supply chain management. You should possess a proven track record of leading diverse teams and a deep understanding of the LATAM agricultural landscape. Technical expertise in ESG reporting and sustainable procurement is essential, but it must be paired with high-level strategic thinking. We are looking for someone who can navigate complex stakeholder environments and translate technical sustainability data into compelling business cases for commercial leaders.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability concepts and focus on your regional expertise in LATAM. Highlight specific instances where you successfully integrated sustainability metrics into a commercial supply chain or influenced a business unit to adopt a more responsible sourcing model despite operational hurdles. Research Cargill's existing commitments to zero deforestation and regenerative agriculture. Your application should demonstrate not just a passion for the environment, but a sophisticated understanding of how to achieve those goals within a high-volume, global trading environment.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is deeply focused on supply chain traceability and land-use management. Given the region's importance, you will likely spend significant time on initiatives related to biodiversity preservation and the prevention of conversion in critical ecosystems. Additionally, there will be a strong emphasis on social responsibility within the supply chain. This includes partnering with local producers to improve livelihoods and ensuring that the human rights of communities impacted by large-scale agriculture are protected, aligning with the company's people-first philosophy.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the most significant challenges is balancing economic growth with aggressive environmental targets in a volatile market. Navigating the diverse regulatory landscapes across different South American countries while maintaining a unified regional strategy requires a high degree of adaptability. Resistance to change can also be a factor, both internally within traditional business functions and externally among suppliers. Success in this role requires the resilience to persist with long-term sustainability goals during periods of global commodity price fluctuation or logistical disruptions.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a strategy review session with the LATAM leadership team, followed by technical deep dives with your sustainability specialists on new vendor evaluation frameworks. You might transition into a virtual meeting with global counterparts to align regional progress with international standards. Afternoons often involve external stakeholder engagement, such as meeting with industry associations or NGOs to discuss cross-sector collaborations. You will likely spend time coaching your direct reports, reviewing team productivity against annual sustainability targets, and validating large-scale vendor proposals.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As a Senior Director in one of the world's largest private companies, the opportunities for executive progression are significant. Success in this regional role could lead to global functional leadership or high-level executive positions within the broader Food Enterprise. You will be positioned as a thought leader in the industry, representing the company at international forums and conferences. The high visibility of this role within the organization ensures that top performers are considered for the most strategic initiatives across the world.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with Regional Business Leaders and the Global Sustainability Team to ensure strategic alignment. Maintaining a strong partnership with the Procurement and Supply Chain functions is critical for the practical implementation of your sustainability policies. Externally, your stakeholders include major agricultural producers, government regulators, and non-governmental organizations. Managing these relationships requires a balance of firm standards and collaborative negotiation to drive the systemic change required for a sustainable food system.

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