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Sustainability Coordinator

COFCO International • Brazil • Added on Sep 12, 2026
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The Sustainability Coordinator serves as the vital link between global ESG strategy and local implementation across Brazil’s massive agricultural landscape. You will take ownership of the regional sustainability roadmap, ensuring that cotton and grain supply chains meet rigorous environmental and social standards. This involves translating high-level corporate goals into actionable projects on the ground, ranging from supplier verification to direct engagement with trading teams.

This position is critical for navigating the increasingly complex landscape of global trade regulations, including EUDR and CSDDD. By securing traceable and responsible supply chains, you directly impact the company’s ability to operate in international markets while protecting vital biomes. It is a rare chance to influence the sustainability performance of a major global commodity hub from the inside.

This suits someone who possesses a deep understanding of Brazilian agribusiness and is comfortable navigating the tension between commercial objectives and environmental compliance. You should be a strong communicator capable of building trust with both farmers and international executives.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves localizing the global sustainability strategy within the Brazilian context. You will be responsible for overseeing regional KPIs, managing certification programs, and ensuring all local operations align with international corporate objectives. This includes a heavy focus on cotton and grains, ensuring these commodities are sourced responsibly. Beyond strategy, you will handle the operational side of compliance. This means monitoring supplier performance, supporting internal system adaptations for new regulations, and contributing data to the company's annual sustainability report. You are the safeguard against environmental and social risks in the regional supply chain.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain unprecedented exposure to international trade regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Understanding how these European frameworks apply to Brazilian field operations is a highly marketable skill set in the current global climate. Furthermore, you will sharpen your expertise in multi-commodity certification. Working across both cotton and grains provides a broad view of the various traceability standards and verification methodologies used in global agribusiness, alongside building high-level stakeholder management skills.

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

The ideal candidate brings a solid foundation in Environmental Sciences or Agronomy, paired with professional experience in the commodities sector. You must have a practical understanding of how supply chains operate in Brazil and the specific social and environmental risks associated with large-scale agriculture. Fluency in both Portuguese and English is non-negotiable, as you will bridge the gap between local field teams and global leadership in Switzerland. Soft skills are equally vital; you need the diplomacy to engage with traders and the technical rigor to manage complex audits and reporting cycles.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your specific knowledge of traceability mechanisms in the Brazilian cotton or soy sectors. Mentioning your familiarity with regional NGOs, industry associations, or specific certification bodies (like BCI or RTRS) will signal that you have the local network necessary to succeed. In your cover letter, focus on a time you successfully integrated sustainability into a commercial process. COFCO is looking for someone who doesn't just treat ESG as a checklist but understands how it creates market differentiation and customer value for their global buyers.

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

The role focuses heavily on responsible sourcing and deforestation-free supply chains. In the Brazilian context, this means ensuring that agricultural expansion does not compromise protected biomes and that suppliers adhere to strict environmental and labor standards. You will also be a key player in the company’s climate and human rights due diligence. This involves identifying potential risks within the tier-one and indirect supplier base, ensuring that the commodities entering the global market are produced under ethical conditions.

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

One of the primary challenges will be bridging the gap between global regulatory expectations and the local realities of agricultural production. Farmers and commercial teams may have different priorities, and you will need to find common ground to ensure compliance without hindering business agility. Managing data integrity across vast supply chains is another hurdle. Ensuring accurate traceability for thousands of hectares of production requires meticulous attention to detail and the ability to troubleshoot complex reporting systems while maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.

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

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the Global Sustainability team to discuss upcoming reporting requirements or regulatory changes. You would then transition to reviewing audit results or certification progress for a group of cotton producers, identifying any red flags that need immediate attention. In the afternoon, you might join a commercial briefing with traders to discuss how sustainability credentials can support new market opportunities. The day often concludes with stakeholder engagement, perhaps representing the company in a local industry forum or working on a partnership project with an environmental NGO.

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

Given COFCO’s global footprint, this role offers a path toward regional or global leadership positions within the sustainability department. Successful implementation in a key origin like Brazil is highly visible to the executive team. You could eventually specialize in sustainable finance, as the role involves disclosures to shareholders and lenders, or move into a more strategic role focusing on global supply chain risk management. The exposure to diverse commodities also allows for lateral moves into different business units.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the LatAm Sustainability Manager, regional commercial teams, and the global sustainability leadership in Geneva. You will act as a consultant to traders, helping them understand the sustainability profiles of the products they move. Externally, you will interact with farmers and suppliers, certification bodies, and government agencies. You will also represent the company to NGOs and industry associations, ensuring COFCO remains an active participant in the broader conversation about sustainable agriculture in Brazil.

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