Cocoa Commodity Lead, Benelux

Are you passionate about sustainability, cocoa and driving positive impact? Do you share our aspiration to develop and lead a strategic vision for a key commodity like cocoa? If so, then our Cocoa Commodity Lead role, based in Benelux, could be the ideal opportunity for you.

What you can expect:

As a Cocoa Commodity Lead, you will be Preferred by Nature’s central point of contact, both internally and externally. Your expertise and vision will be instrumental in shaping related positions and public communications and positioning Preferred by Nature and yourself as a thought-leader in the global cocoa community. Your responsibilities include spearheading Preferred by Nature's positions on cocoa, ensuring updated cocoa awareness internally, building strong relationships with key stakeholders as well as developing and nurturing cocoa related networks.

Working with us is never routine so the first year you can expect the following areas to be central to your work.

• Work closely with colleagues from various units on regulatory affairs and cocoa sustainability topics. Develop and execute sustainable impact strategies for Cocoa as a commodity.
• Represent Preferred by Nature in international and regional media and events related to Cocoa while serving as our local presence in your country, building relationships, and advancing our mission.
• Plan and conduct Preferred by Nature webinars, events and promotions related to cocoa.
• Contribute opinion pieces to trade magazines and other outlets with the support of our communication team.
• Foster relationships with key accounts, influencers, and relevant executives in cocoa related industries
• Stay updated about Cocoa commodity trends and challenge and update our staff on key topics.
• Collaborate with organizations, regulators, and trade networks to promote our interests.
• Support if needed the implementation of our services to support sustainable cocoa

Your first year with us:

Within three months, you will:

• Develop a deep understanding of Preferred by Nature's mission and our approach to support sustainable cocoa.
• Familiarize yourself with our existing strategies and ongoing projects related to Cocoa.
• Participate and represent Preferred by Nature in webinars, events, and networking.

Within six months, you will:

• Take the lead in crafting and promoting sustainability strategies for Cocoa commodities.
• Enable our assurance, projects and tailored service divisions with relevant cocoa insights and competencies
• Expand your existing network of cocoa-related key accounts and industry influencers.

Within one year, you will:

• Be well underway in establishing Preferred by Nature and yourself as a recognized thought leader in the global cocoa community by participating in multiple international and regional media events and publications.
• Collaborate with organizations, regulators, and trade networks on a broader scale to promote Preferred by Nature's interests and influence cocoa-related policies positively.
• Establish a system for sharing relevant cocoa-related resources, research findings, and market insights with internal teams to keep them informed and empowered.

The role as Cocoa commodity lead is a full-time position. Therefore, we will shape the position around your unique background. Maybe you will manage key projects funded by our large donors. Or maybe you have deep knowledge of certification so we can design the position to build on that experience. The point being – we will shape the role around your specific experience.

Important that you:

• Have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in agriculture sciences, communication, economics, international trade, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the cocoa sector (industry, private sector, civil society, international organization etc...)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the cocoa sector at farm level, working with producers and the farm supply chain
• Fluent in English
• Excellent communication both internally & externally, experience and high-level competence in public speaking, media and presentations
• Have a developed cocoa-network within NGOs, business sector, donors and public sector

Would also be great, but not necessary, if you:

• Can speak French.
• Know certification standards related to cocoa.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

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
• Private life/accident/medical insurance plan
• Start with 20 days of vacation leave per year