Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain unparalleled experience in operationalizing HREDD within a complex, global commodity market. This role offers deep exposure to the practicalities of EUDR and other emerging transparency regulations, providing a masterclass in regulatory-ready supply chain management. You will also learn how to build and scale sustainability programs in diverse geographical contexts, from West Africa to Latin America. Furthermore, the position offers a unique chance to master the commercial integration of ESG . By working directly with procurement teams to influence Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs), you will develop a sophisticated understanding of how sustainability metrics can be used as levers in high-stakes commercial negotiations.

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

The role focuses heavily on social and environmental due diligence within the cocoa sector. This includes monitoring for child labor, ensuring fair wages, and preventing deforestation associated with cocoa expansion. You will likely focus on implementing traceability systems that provide proof of compliance for global markets. Additionally, the role emphasizes long-term partner strategy . This means moving away from transactional buying toward deep partnerships that support farmer livelihoods and regenerative agricultural practices. You will ensure that the company’s cocoa sourcing directly contributes to its broader ESG goals and carbon reduction targets.

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

One of the most significant challenges is maintaining data accuracy and transparency across a vast network of smallholder farmers and various intermediaries. Ensuring that sustainability data is 'audit-ready' requires constant vigilance and robust verification processes. You will need to manage the tension between strict compliance requirements and the often-informal nature of agricultural production. Another challenge involves commercial pressure . Aligning sustainability goals with procurement budgets and supply security can be difficult, especially in a volatile commodity market. You will need to be a strong advocate for ESG values when they conflict with short-term financial or logistical constraints.

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

A typical day might begin with a strategy meeting with the procurement team to discuss supplier allocations for the next quarter based on recent sustainability audits. You might then spend time reviewing progress reports from field partners in West Africa or Latin America, identifying risks that require immediate mitigation or technical support. In the afternoon, you could be negotiating terms with a major cocoa supplier or presenting data insights to the executive team. Your day often involves high-level cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that the legal, commercial, and sustainability departments are all aligned on the company's HREDD strategy.

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

This position offers a clear path toward Executive or C-suite leadership in sustainable procurement or corporate social responsibility. Given the increasing importance of supply chain transparency, a manager who can successfully navigate HREDD at this scale is highly valued for global leadership roles. There are also opportunities for geographic and portfolio expansion . You could lead the development of sustainable sourcing models for other commodities or take on broader roles involving global supply chain strategy. The high-visibility nature of cocoa sustainability ensures that your work will be recognized at the highest levels of the organization.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Procurement and Commercial teams to align sourcing tactics with sustainability standards. Externally, your primary contacts are cocoa suppliers, ranging from international traders to local cooperatives, and various third-party partners who implement programs on the ground. You will also engage with internal ESG and Data teams to ensure that supply chain performance is accurately reflected in corporate disclosures. Finally, you may represent the company in industry forums and multi-stakeholder initiatives, collaborating with NGOs and government bodies to drive sector-wide improvements in the cocoa industry.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to bridge the gap between sustainability requirements and commercial procurement. You will be accountable for supplier sustainability performance, ensuring that all partners comply with the company's Human Rights & Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) frameworks. This involves managing long-term relationship models and influencing how cocoa is allocated and contracted based on risk and performance data. Beyond oversight, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team of experts and contractors to deliver audit-ready outcomes. You are responsible for the integrity of supply chain data, which serves as the foundation for the company’s public ESG reporting and regulatory compliance. You will also take a proactive role in shaping program design and partner strategies to drive measurable impact at the farm level.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Candidates will gain unparalleled experience in operationalizing HREDD within a complex, global commodity market. This role offers deep exposure to the practicalities of EUDR and other emerging transparency regulations, providing a masterclass in regulatory-ready supply chain management. You will also learn how to build and scale sustainability programs in diverse geographical contexts, from West Africa to Latin America. Furthermore, the position offers a unique chance to master the commercial integration of ESG. By working directly with procurement teams to influence Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Statements of Work (SOWs), you will develop a sophisticated understanding of how sustainability metrics can be used as levers in high-stakes commercial negotiations.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal profile is a seasoned procurement or sustainability professional with a Master’s degree and extensive experience in agricultural supply chains. You must demonstrate a track record of managing supplier relationships where sustainability was a key performance indicator. High-level negotiation skills and the ability to translate technical environmental or social data into business-relevant insights are critical for success. Language proficiency is a major differentiator for this role. You should be fluent in English, French, and Spanish to effectively communicate with stakeholders in different cocoa origins. Experience working with multi-stakeholder initiatives, civil society organizations, and rural communities is essential to navigating the social complexities of cocoa production.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, your application should highlight specific examples where you linked sustainability outcomes to commercial decisions. Instead of just listing compliance tasks, explain how you influenced supplier selection or contracting based on ESG risks. Demonstrate your ability to work across cultures by detailing your experience in cocoa-producing regions like Africa or South America. Preparation for the interview should focus on your understanding of due diligence frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you ensure data integrity in fragmented supply chains and how you handle suppliers that underperform on sustainability metrics. Showing a balance between a mission-driven mindset and a pragmatic business approach will be highly valued.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role focuses heavily on social and environmental due diligence within the cocoa sector. This includes monitoring for child labor, ensuring fair wages, and preventing deforestation associated with cocoa expansion. You will likely focus on implementing traceability systems that provide proof of compliance for global markets. Additionally, the role emphasizes long-term partner strategy. This means moving away from transactional buying toward deep partnerships that support farmer livelihoods and regenerative agricultural practices. You will ensure that the company’s cocoa sourcing directly contributes to its broader ESG goals and carbon reduction targets.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the most significant challenges is maintaining data accuracy and transparency across a vast network of smallholder farmers and various intermediaries. Ensuring that sustainability data is 'audit-ready' requires constant vigilance and robust verification processes. You will need to manage the tension between strict compliance requirements and the often-informal nature of agricultural production. Another challenge involves commercial pressure. Aligning sustainability goals with procurement budgets and supply security can be difficult, especially in a volatile commodity market. You will need to be a strong advocate for ESG values when they conflict with short-term financial or logistical constraints.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a strategy meeting with the procurement team to discuss supplier allocations for the next quarter based on recent sustainability audits. You might then spend time reviewing progress reports from field partners in West Africa or Latin America, identifying risks that require immediate mitigation or technical support. In the afternoon, you could be negotiating terms with a major cocoa supplier or presenting data insights to the executive team. Your day often involves high-level cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that the legal, commercial, and sustainability departments are all aligned on the company's HREDD strategy.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

This position offers a clear path toward Executive or C-suite leadership in sustainable procurement or corporate social responsibility. Given the increasing importance of supply chain transparency, a manager who can successfully navigate HREDD at this scale is highly valued for global leadership roles. There are also opportunities for geographic and portfolio expansion. You could lead the development of sustainable sourcing models for other commodities or take on broader roles involving global supply chain strategy. The high-visibility nature of cocoa sustainability ensures that your work will be recognized at the highest levels of the organization.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact daily with the Procurement and Commercial teams to align sourcing tactics with sustainability standards. Externally, your primary contacts are cocoa suppliers, ranging from international traders to local cooperatives, and various third-party partners who implement programs on the ground. You will also engage with internal ESG and Data teams to ensure that supply chain performance is accurately reflected in corporate disclosures. Finally, you may represent the company in industry forums and multi-stakeholder initiatives, collaborating with NGOs and government bodies to drive sector-wide improvements in the cocoa industry.

Sustainable Sourcing Manager - Cocoa

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

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

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

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

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

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

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

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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