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Specialist, Sustainability, Well Being & Social Impact, Cocoa Operations

Mondelēz International • India • Added on Jul 23, 2026
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This role involves the hands-on management of cocoa operations in South India, where you will oversee nursery production and maintain high-quality agricultural practices across local farms. You will be the primary link between the corporate sustainability strategy and the ground-level execution, ensuring that cocoa sourcing meets strict environmental and social standards. Daily work includes tracking performance metrics, training farmers on modern techniques, and managing procurement logistics with third-party partners.

Working within the Cocoa Life program, you contribute directly to a more resilient chocolate supply chain that prioritizes forest protection and farmer livelihoods. This is a rare chance to work at the intersection of large-scale manufacturing and micro-level agricultural development, helping marginal farmers adopt drip irrigation and diversified agroforestry. Your efforts ensure the iconic snacks produced globally are sourced ethically and sustainably from the roots up.

This suits someone who possesses a strong agricultural background and is genuinely excited about spending significant time in the field engaging with rural farming communities.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will oversee the end-to-end cocoa nursery management, ensuring that seedlings are healthy and distribution processes are strictly followed to support local farmers. Your role involves identifying new farming areas and maintaining Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) through intensive extension services and farmer retention programs. On the procurement side, you are responsible for coordinating with third-party buying partners to monitor the quality of cocoa beans against specific requirements. You will manage the digital onboarding of farmers, including polygon mapping of farms to ensure transparency and traceability in the supply chain, while also overseeing the dispatch of beans to manufacturing facilities.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers a deep dive into agronomy and horticulture within a multinational corporate framework. You will gain unique expertise in large-scale sustainability programs like Cocoa Life, learning how to balance commercial procurement needs with ethical social impact goals. Furthermore, you will develop skills in digital agriculture tools, such as GIS mapping and SAP, while gaining experience in government liaison. Exposure to research collaborations with agricultural universities will also sharpen your understanding of crop science and post-harvest management.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in BSc Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry. This is an entry-level to junior role, so while freshers are welcome, up to four years of experience in seed or fertilizer companies is highly valued. Deep technical knowledge of South Indian agriculture is essential for success in this region. Crucially, you must be fluent in Telugu and Hindi to communicate effectively with the local farming community. Beyond technical skills, the role demands high interpersonal effectiveness, independent discipline, and a willingness to work outdoors in rural environments.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, highlight any hands-on field experience where you have directly influenced farmer behavior or managed agricultural inputs. Demonstrate your familiarity with the specific challenges of cocoa farming in Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, as regional knowledge is a significant advantage for this operational role. Since traceability and data are central to modern ESG strategies, mentioning your proficiency with digital tools or data analysis will demonstrate that you can handle the reporting requirements of a global firm. Show your commitment to the 'Cocoa Life' mission by researching their pillars of forest protection and community empowerment.

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

The role is a cornerstone of the Cocoa Life program, Mondelēz’s global signature sustainability initiative. You will focus heavily on environmental stewardship through agroforestry and drip irrigation projects meant to protect local ecosystems and manage water resources efficiently. There is also a strong social impact focus, specifically regarding women's empowerment in agriculture and supporting marginal farmers to increase their household income. By implementing these initiatives, you help ensure the long-term viability of the cocoa supply chain while meeting corporate ESG targets.

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

One of the primary challenges is the extensive travel and field readiness required; you will spend much of your time on the move, which requires physical stamina and adaptability to rural conditions. Managing the expectations of diverse stakeholders, from government officials to local farmers, requires exceptional negotiation skills. Additionally, ensuring 100% compliance with quality standards across many smallholder farms can be difficult. You will need to be persistent in your training efforts and meticulous in your digital documentation to ensure that every bag of cocoa meets the company’s sustainability criteria.

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

A typical day might start early with a visit to a cocoa nursery to check on seedling health and staff performance. You would then travel to various farm sites to conduct on-ground training sessions for farmers, focusing on pest management or post-harvest quality control techniques. In the afternoon, you might meet with local government horticulture departments to coordinate subsidized programs or review digital farm maps on your tablet. The day often concludes with administrative tasks, such as tracking procurement data or coordinating bean dispatches with third-party buying partners.

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

Starting as a specialist in cocoa operations provides a strong foundation for a career in Sustainable Sourcing or Supply Chain Management within the food and beverage industry. Successful performance could lead to lead roles in regional operations or specialized positions in ESG strategy and social impact at the corporate level. As Mondelēz continues to expand its sustainability commitments globally, there are also opportunities for cross-functional moves into procurement, research and development, or government affairs, particularly for those who show a strong grasp of both field operations and commercial analytics.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will be a key intermediary between farming communities and the corporate office. Internally, you will report to the Cocoa Life leadership team and collaborate with nursery staff and quality control units at the local processing plants. Externally, your network will include Third-Party Operations (TPO) partners, NGO collaborators working on community development, and officials from Government Agriculture Departments. You will also interact with academic institutions like agricultural universities to support ongoing research into cocoa crop science.

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