Sustainable Certification Specialist at Preferred by Nature

Are you passionate about sustainable land management and driving positive environmental impact? Do you thrive in a dynamic role balancing certification audits and client engagement across agricultural and forestry sectors? If so, this position could be an exciting next step for you!

Location: Greater Toronto Area (with travel to the US Midwest)

What you can expect:

As the Sustainable Certification Specialist, you will play a key role in delivering sustainable certification services for clients across the agricultural and forestry sectors in the U.S. and Canada. This hybrid role will focus primarily (60%) on auditing clients in agriculture, with the remaining (40%) dedicated to forestry-related services in the Greater Toronto Area. You will be responsible for managing client portfolios, conducting certification audits, and contributing to the overall growth and success of Preferred by Nature's mission.

Your Key Responsibilities:

Audit Management:

• Manage the execution of Chain of Custody (CoC) audits, including budgeting, contracts, team management, and report finalization.

• Conduct audits for agricultural and forestry certification schemes (FSC, Rainforest Alliance, RSPO) across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring compliance with technical protocols and standards.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, offering guidance on certification processes, audit scheduling, and technical support.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring they understand certification standards, compliance requirements, and trademark use.

• Assist in policy development and provide input for technical improvements to the certification system.

• Help maintain technical and administrative databases (e.g., Salesforce, spreadsheets, etc.).

• Contribute to the growth of certification services by identifying new client opportunities and attending industry events, trade shows, and conferences.

• Provide technical expertise on emerging trends in agricultural and forestry certification.

Your first year with us

Within three months you will:

• Familiarize yourself with Preferred by Nature’s policies, protocols, and digital tools.

• Begin training as an auditor for FSC, RA, and RSPO standards, participating in 3-4 certification audits.

• Start building relationships with clients and stakeholders in the U.S. and Canada.

Within six months you will:

• Qualify as a lead auditor for FSC, RA, and RSPO supply chain certification schemes.
• Manage audits and client portfolios independently, ensuring timely completion and high-quality service.
• Strengthen your expertise in Chain of Custody (CoC) auditing by completing 4-6 audits.

Within twelve months you will:

• Be self-sufficient in managing certification schemes (FSC, RA, RSPO) and qualify as a peer reviewer.
• Take on task management roles for audits, overseeing quality control and budget management.
• Represent Preferred by Nature at industry events and contribute to the growth of certification services.

Important Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in Agriculture, Ecology, Biology, Conservation, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of work experience.
• Experience auditing agricultural, forestry, social, and/or management certification schemes (RA, RSPO, FSC, ISO, UEBT, SRP, Global GAP, Café Practices, etc.) is preferred.
• Knowledge of Rainforest Alliance certification, RSPO certification, or Forest Stewardship Council is a plus.
• Experience working with palm oil is advantageous.
• Strong customer service orientation with experience managing client portfolios
• Proficiency in digital tools (Salesforce, spreadsheets, databases)
• Willingness to travel up to 35% of the time across the U.S. and Canada
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Spanish or French is a plus
• Dual work eligibility (US and Canada) is a plus.

What Sets Us Apart:

• Global work culture
• High degree of flexibility - remote work, work from home.
• An in-depth onboarding and professional training that prepares you with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in this role.
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
• Potential future international travel opportunities
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
• Extended benefit package
• 20 days of paid vacation plus 4 floating holidays

Preferred by Nature

Preferred by Nature is a non-profit, mission driven organisation that works for sustainable land management and climate-friendly solutions. With 300+ employees and a network of local experts, we develop practical solutions to drive positive impacts in production landscapes and supply chains in 100+ countries. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors.

How to apply:

If you feel you meet the requirements of the role, please submit your CV and cover letter in English, including salary expectations by October 25, 2024.

Please note: Only applicants legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Application pre-screening will be conducted during the application period.

Preferred by Nature wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.