T

Sustainable Sourcing Manager - Cocoa

The Hershey Company • Switzerland • Added on Jul 6, 2026
Apply →

This role involves managing the complex landscape of cocoa procurement by embedding environmental and social standards directly into the supply chain. You will act as a dedicated subject matter expert, moving beyond basic purchasing to oversee deep-dive research and data analysis that informs long-term sourcing strategies. By monitoring global trends in human rights and nature, you ensure every ton of cocoa meets evolving regulatory demands and internal ethics.

Cocoa is the heartbeat of Hershey’s portfolio, and this position sits at the critical intersection of business continuity and ethical transformation. You will be responsible for translating high-level ESG commitments into tangible impact on the ground, addressing systemic risks like deforestation and labor rights in sensitive regions. Your work directly determines whether one of the world’s largest snack companies can successfully navigate the transition to a fully transparent, sustainable supply model.

This suits someone who possesses a strategic mindset and several years of experience in global commodity sourcing or supply chain ethics. You should be a collaborative problem-solver comfortable navigating international regulations and complex stakeholder environments.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to manage and advance sustainable sourcing strategies specifically for cocoa, a core commodity for the organization. You will be responsible for conducting rigorous research and data analysis to support ESG programs, ensuring that sourcing practices align with both internal goals and international regulations. Beyond data, you will lead the monitoring of emerging trends in biodiversity, climate, and human rights. This involves translating complex external developments into actionable insights for the procurement team to mitigate supply chain risks and maintain ethical standards. Coordination is a major component, as you will act as a bridge between various internal departments. Your goal is to ensure that sustainability metrics are not just recorded but actively used to improve program effectiveness and organizational responsiveness to global challenges.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers a platform to become an expert in international cocoa supply chain dynamics and the specific ESG challenges associated with tropical commodities. You will gain hands-on experience in navigating the interplay between global trade and sustainability regulations like the EUDR. You will also develop high-level skills in impact evaluation by creating and refining ESG metrics. Working within a global snacking leader provides exposure to large-scale longitudinal sustainability projects that few other companies can offer. Furthermore, the position provides significant exposure to diverse sustainability topics, including water stewardship and nature-based solutions, allowing for a well-rounded professional development in the environmental and social governance space.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of experience in sustainability, procurement, or ESG-related roles, specifically with a focus on commodities or supply chain management. A deep understanding of the unique social and environmental risks in cocoa-producing regions is highly valued. Technical proficiency in data analysis and research is essential for evaluating program effectiveness. You should be able to synthesize large amounts of data into strategic recommendations that resonate with business leaders. Soft skills are equally important; successful candidates demonstrate strong stakeholder management abilities and the capacity to influence others without direct authority. Fluency in English is typically required, given the global nature of the supply chain.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond just listing procurement skills and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of cocoa-specific issues, such as child labor monitoring and reforestation. Show how you have previously turned ESG data into a business advantage or operational improvement. Tailor your application to reflect The Hershey Company's 'One Hershey' philosophy. Highlighting your ability to work across functional siloes to achieve a singular strategic goal will show cultural alignment with their collaborative approach to global snacking. Be prepared to discuss your experience with regulatory frameworks. Mentioning specific knowledge of upcoming ESG disclosures or supply chain due diligence laws will signal that you are ready to hit the ground running in a highly regulated environment.

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

The role focuses heavily on responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency. You will be at the forefront of the company's efforts to ensure cocoa is produced without deforestation and with respect for human rights. You will also likely touch upon climate resilience for smallholder farmers, as securing the future of cocoa requires helping producers adapt to changing weather patterns. This links the role directly to the company’s broader carbon footprint reduction goals. Finally, the position addresses social impact through equitable access and ethical labor practices. You will ensure the corporate purpose of making 'moments of goodness' is reflected at the very start of the product lifecycle.

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

One of the chief challenges is balancing commercial needs with strict ESG requirements in a volatile commodity market. Maintaining high sustainability standards during price fluctuations or supply shortages requires significant strategic resilience. You may also face the difficulty of data fragmentation across international supply chains. Gathering accurate, real-time information from diverse global origins to meet reporting standards is a complex technical and relational task. Lastly, navigating the rapidly changing regulatory landscape across multiple jurisdictions can be taxing. Ensuring that the company stays ahead of new laws while maintaining operational efficiency is a constant balancing act.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing global sustainability news and regulatory updates to assess their impact on cocoa sourcing. You would likely spend time analyzing performance data from various sourcing initiatives to prepare for internal reviews. Midday could involve virtual meetings with international stakeholders, ranging from procurement officers in different regions to NGO partners or industry groups. These sessions focus on aligning strategies and troubleshooting specific program hurdles. Your afternoon might be dedicated to strategic drafting, where you adapt existing sourcing guidelines to meet new biodiversity or human rights standards. The day often ends with cross-functional coordination to ensure sustainability goals are integrated into the broader business agenda.

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

There is significant room for vertical growth into senior leadership roles within the global procurement or sustainability functions. As commodity sustainability becomes more critical to business survival, this expertise is increasingly prioritized for executive paths. You could also explore lateral moves into broader ESG strategy, corporate affairs, or international supply chain management. The skills gained here are highly transferable across different categories within the snacking industry. Participation in high-visibility global projects will put you in contact with senior executives, providing mentorship opportunities and a platform to demonstrate leadership on a worldwide scale.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include Procurement and Supply Chain teams, who you will advise on ethical sourcing practices, and the Corporate ESG/Sustainability department, with whom you will align on broader goals. External stakeholders include cocoa suppliers, trade associations, and NGOs working on the ground in producing countries. Building strong, trust-based relationships with these partners is essential for program success. You will also interact with regulatory bodies and industry auditors to ensure compliance and transparency in reporting. These interactions ensure that Hershey's sustainability claims are verified and credible.

CSR Jobs newsletter

Never miss the next opportunity

Get a curated selection of new CSR, ESG, and sustainability roles in your inbox. No daily noise, just useful opportunities.

Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.