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Manager Tropical Oils Sustainability

Bunge Netherlands Added on Aug 24, 2026
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This role centers on managing the complex sustainability requirements of tropical oil supply chains across Europe. You will take ownership of the regional strategy for palm and coconut oils, ensuring every ton sourced meets rigorous environmental standards. Day-to-day, this involves vetting suppliers, monitoring deforestation risks through advanced spatial data, and managing the delicate balance between commercial sourcing needs and non-negotiable sustainability mandates.

The position is critical because tropical oils are at the heart of the global deforestation and biodiversity crisis. By implementing NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) policies and preparing for EUDR compliance, you directly prevent habitat loss and social exploitation in high-risk regions. Your work transforms a historically challenging commodity into a transparent, responsible driver of global food security.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical understanding of GIS and spatial analysis paired with the commercial savvy to influence suppliers and internal procurement teams. You should be a structured professional who thrives on turning complex supply chain data into actionable sustainability progress.

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What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to oversee the sustainability strategy for tropical oils across European operations, focusing specifically on palm and coconut oil. You will be responsible for implementing No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) initiatives while ensuring all suppliers meet strict corporate and regulatory compliance standards. You will also take the lead on spatial monitoring and data integrity. This involves using GIS tools to track land-use changes, conducting due diligence on new and existing partners, and managing the resolution of sustainability grievances within the supply chain to maintain the company's reputation and operational integrity.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain significant expertise in regulatory preparedness, particularly regarding the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Navigating these evolving legal frameworks in a real-world corporate setting provides a high-value skill set that is currently in massive demand across the global food and beverage sector. Additionally, you will refine your technical proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and other spatial analysis tools within a commercial context. Exposure to international industry bodies like the RSPO and the Palm Oil Collaboration Group offers a unique opportunity to learn how pre-competitive collaboration works to solve systemic environmental issues.

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

The ideal candidate brings a blend of environmental science expertise and supply chain management experience. A minimum of three to five years in sustainability or responsible sourcing is expected, ideally with specific exposure to tropical commodities or agricultural supply chains. Technical fluency in GIS software is essential, as the role relies heavily on spatial data to verify deforestation-free claims. Beyond technical skills, you must be a persuasive communicator who can translate sustainability data into compelling business cases for sourcing teams and external stakeholders.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your experience with traceability systems and NDPE frameworks. If you have previously managed supplier grievances or conducted on-the-ground audits, make sure these concrete examples are prominent in your application, as they demonstrate your ability to handle real-world supply chain friction. Align your cover letter with Bunge’s core values of integrity and sustainability. Showing that you understand the specific challenges of the tropical oil industry—such as smallholder inclusion and biodiversity loss—will demonstrate a level of industry maturity that differentiates you from more generic sustainability candidates.

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

The role focuses heavily on responsible sourcing and the elimination of deforestation from the value chain. This is a top-tier material issue for the company, as it directly relates to carbon footprints and biodiversity preservation in sensitive ecological zones like Southeast Asia. You will also contribute to social governance by ensuring that suppliers respect human rights and labor standards. By achieving NDPE and traceability targets, this role acts as a safeguard for the company’s long-term environmental commitments and its ability to operate in highly regulated markets.

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

One of the greatest challenges is supplier engagement in regions where data transparency may be low. Influencing third-party suppliers to adopt rigorous monitoring and reporting standards requires persistence and a high degree of diplomatic skill, especially when commercial pressures are at play. Furthermore, the fast-moving regulatory landscape in Europe presents a constant challenge. Keeping internal teams aligned and prepared for new reporting requirements like the EUDR requires staying ahead of the curve and managing complex datasets across thousands of supply chain nodes without losing accuracy.

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

A typical day involves a mix of data analysis and stakeholder consultation. You might start by reviewing spatial alerts in ArcGIS to identify potential deforestation risks in the supply chain, followed by a meeting with the sourcing team to discuss the sustainability performance of a specific supplier. Afternoons are often dedicated to external collaboration, such as participating in working group calls with industry peers or preparing technical reports for annual audits. The role is highly dynamic, shifting between deep-dive technical tasks and high-level strategic alignment with regional leadership.

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

Within a global giant like Bunge, this role offers a pathway to senior leadership positions in global sustainability or supply chain management. The high visibility of the tropical oils portfolio means your successes will be recognized at an international level, potentially leading to global strategy roles. There are also opportunities for lateral movement into broader ESG reporting or environmental risk management. As the company continues to expand its plant-based protein and bio-energy portfolios, the expertise you gain in traceability and compliance will be highly transferable to new and emerging business units.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with procurement and sourcing teams, acting as a technical advisor to ensure their purchasing decisions align with sustainability goals. You will also have direct contact with suppliers to guide them through compliance and due diligence processes. Externally, you will engage with industry bodies and NGOs, representing the company in forums like the RSPO. You will also work closely with internal sustainability data experts and environmental analysts to ensure that reporting remains accurate and that stakeholders remain confident in the company's progress.

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