Deputy Director, Responsible Sourcing

We’re seeking an experienced and knowledgeable strategic lead to support our growing portfolio of projects within responsible sourcing. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with deep technical knowledge gained working on responsible sourcing within agricultural supply chains to take on a strategic role where your impact will be felt. This role is suited to someone who is an expert in client relationship management with the passion to nurture and develop teams.  

Who are we? 

Proforest is a mission-driven organisation that provides a consultancy service working throughout agricultural supply chains supporting the production and sourcing of agricultural and forest commodities that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes for People, Nature and Climate. These cover issues such as protecting and restoring forests and natural ecosystems, respecting worker’s rights, advancing gender equality, and engaging with communities and indigenous people. 

What will you do? 

You’ll be part of the growing Responsible Sourcing Team, a team of expert technical consultants who support the implementation of our clients’ responsible sourcing and production commitments. You’ll have the opportunity to work with companies such as Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars, General Mills, Cargill on commodity supply chains including palm oil, sugar, soy, coconut and cocoa. Our client projects share our mission to deliver positive outcomes for People, Nature and Climate by using and adapting Proforest’s ACRES approach. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Provide strategic oversight of a portfolio of client and projects, taking accountability for effective planning, resources, and budget. Lead the technical delivery, shape client’s strategy and advice with the support of a technical team of experts and consultants. 

• Lead the development of client’s proposals and design large scale projects with our global teams and external network to support multi-country delivery 

• Adapt to changing client needs, advising, re-evaluating priorities and evolving workplans accordingly 

• Develop, manage and nurture client relationships to secure long-term relationships; engage with client’s senior leadership team on strategic topics, manage issues escalation and resolution  

• Implement Proforest recommended approaches in client’s work and where relevant provide thought leadership on technical topics and issues; lead institutionalisation of this knowledge and; collaborate with others in Proforest to maximise impact across the organisation 

• Provide oversight to project technical teams, mentor/coach and develop people into their roles within responsible sourcing projects 

• Line management responsibilities include mentoring and supporting team members’ growth 

• Act as technical expert, and therefore focal point in one or several environmental and social topics. 

What is your profile?  

You’ll be a strategic thinker with excellent business acumen, expert in environmental and social issues in agricultural supply chains and be able to shape and advise on client’s strategy. You’ll feel comfortable with the institutionalisation of technical knowledge building on client’s work. To be considered for the role you will also have: 

Essential: 

• Substantial experience within responsible sourcing either gained in the private sector or within a consultancy environment  

• In depth knowledge and understanding of social and/or environmental issues in tropical agriculture supply chains such as deforestation, regenerative agriculture, climate change, livelihoods, gender equality and respect for human rights 

• Experience and working knowledge on one or more tropical commodities e.g., Soy, Sugar, Palm oil, Cocoa, Rubber, Coconut  

• Experience working on complex & high value projects with high profile FMCG clients internationally (beyond Europe)  

• Experience of institutionalising and sharing knowledge both internally and externally  

• Team and line management experience with proven ability to motivate and drive performance 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build and maintain deep stakeholder relationships 

• Proven ability to influence and persuade stakeholders 

• A flexible approach with the ability and confidence to learn and adapt in a fast-paced sector 

• Strong analytical skills and ability to drive innovation and change  

• Excellent presentation skills with the confidence to present internally and externally  

• Relevant Masters level qualification or equivalent. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of one or more of our other working languages - Spanish, French, Portuguese, Bahasa or Mandarin 

• Experience working with teams in the regions in which Proforest operates  

• On-the-ground fieldwork experience with the commodities we work with.

Why should you work for us? 

You’ll be part of a global organisation with a shared vision, working in offices across 8 countries with staff from more than 17 countries, speaking more than 40 languages. 

What else does Proforest offer? 

• 25 days plus public holidays (with an extra 2 days the following year should you take your well-earned holiday within the year) 

• We contribute to your pension (up to 8%) 

• We support learning and development with a dedicated team to help you achieve your goals; we provide access to training for knowledge and competency development 

• Life insurance and income protection insurance 

• We organize regular in-person team gatherings, regional and international knowledge exchanges and social events. 

Key information 

• Location: Oxford, UK or Leiden, The Netherlands 

• Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 per annum (for the UK) or up to €73,000 - €78,000 per annum depending on skills and experience.  

• Closing date: 18th September (we may close the role early should we find our chosen candidate and therefore advise applying at your earliest convenience). 1st interviews will be w/c 23rd of September, followed by 2nd interviews w/c 7th of October 

• Working hours: Full time  

• Hybrid working: Proforest operates on a hybrid basis. We encourage staff to attend the office regularly to maximise interactions with colleagues and encourage collaboration, but we also appreciate individual circumstances and preferences. We prefer attendance at the office twice a week, if possible, with a minimum of once a week. 

To apply to the Oxford office click here

To apply to the Leiden office click here

We are committed to supporting diversity throughout Proforest globally, ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive and therefore welcome applications from all.