Manager, Markets Transformation, North America

~ The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and
ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. ~

Based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. For more information, please visit our website. 

Position Overview

The Manager will be responsible for market development, stakeholder outreach and relationship management of businesses in North America to increase demand for all Rainforest Alliance services across all commodities and Rainforest Alliance solutions, and in particular building companies commitment in sourcing commodities/ingredients derived from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

Her/his primary responsibility will focus on managing existing business relationships and engaging new business in the cocoa sector to increase demand for Rainforest Alliance Certified farm products. The Manager will liaise with the broader Markets, Sustainable Landscapes, Claims Trademarks & Traceability, and Communication & Marketing teams to coordinate company and other stakeholders' engagement, promotional campaigns and events.

This person will also be involved in the development of the North American and global cocoa market strategy, as well as attending industry events related to cocoa. The Manager will foster internal relationships with other Rainforest Alliance units to ensure continued, effective cross-unit collaboration to ensure the achievement of institutional strategic goals and priorities.

Responsibilities 

• Engage key businesses in order to stimulate market demand for all Rainforest Alliance services across all Rainforest Alliance's commodities, including certified farm, forest, and tourism products within North America with a specific focus on the cocoa industry;
• Manage relationships with key businesses to source and promote Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa; guide and oversee company strategies in the use of these products, conduct training and workshops for key sales and marketing teams and be the interface with other Rainforest Alliance teams to fulfill the needs of that business relationship;
• Facilitate supply chain linkages for cocoa and facilitate the successful launch of campaigns by companies in coordination with the global Markets Transformation and Communications teams;
• Work in collaboration across other departments to coordinate market demand with requisite supply building activities, traceability and use of seal;
• Work with the Claims Trademarks & Traceability team in the implementation of traceability systems and participation agreement royalty collection;
• Support the preparation of market-related fundraising proposals and the negotiation and development of service agreements with companies supporting the work of Rainforest Alliance;
• Serve as a spokesperson for Rainforest Alliance by engaging key opinion leaders and cultivating change agents within the industry;
• Foster internal relationships with other Rainforest Alliance units to ensure continued, effective cross-unit collaboration to ensure the achievement of institutional strategic goals and priorities;
• Work with the Director, Markets Transformation, to define and implement a North American market demand strategy for the Rainforest Alliance in the cocoa industry;
• Work with the Director, Markets Transformation to develop tools, resources and campaigns to target global and North American cocoa business; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field;
• 7 - 10 years of experience, demonstrating progressive levels of responsibility in business development, sales, marketing, procurement or supply chain management in a food related industry;
• Excellent written and spoken English, fluent French highly desirable;
• Knowledge and experience of working to further conservation objectives that are aligned to local and or international needs;
• Impeccable interpersonal skills and an excellent team player;
• Computer literacy and knowledge of Microsoft Office and other tools;
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time and to work with minimum levels of supervision;
• Outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment;
• Knowledge of or experience in the cocoa industry a significant advantage;
• A passion for sustainability and the environment; Understanding and experience of ethical sourcing and certification programs highly desirable; and
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30 % of the time. 

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience.

To Apply 

Please click below: "Apply Here!" to apply online. Then, be sure to combine your cover letter and resume as one single document and upload.

~ The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer ~