US Commercial Officer

~ Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) operates a global fisheries certification and eco-labelling program. We celebrate, promote and add value to sustainable fisheries and through the leadership of our partners, create market incentives to encourage other fisheries to improve the way they fish the oceans. ~

Over 300 fisheries around the world, landing 12% of the annual global harvest, are now engaged at some stage of the MSC's independent assessment process. MSC certified and labelled seafood products are now available in over 100 countries.

Position Overview 

The
Marine Stewardship Council is seeking candidates for a US Commercial Officer,
based in our Washington, DC office.  The Commercial Officer for the US will report to the
Senior Commercial Manager US and
help in the delivery of the MSC’s overarching aims and objectives with seafood
supply chain companies, retailers, foodservice operators, restaurants and
relevant associations.

The post holder will be responsible for outreach to
these businesses and organizations with the aim of increasing support
for and participation in the MSC program.

Outreach involves relationship building and
maintaining, promoting and explaining the MSC concept and certification program
to potential partners, pitching MSC-related marketing and promotional
activities to partner companies, supporting the development of relevant MSC
publications, etc.

In doing so, the Commercial Officer will work in
collaboration with the Senior Commercial Manager, the various team members based in the
Region and other members of the wider MSC team to deliver a consistent approach
to the market sectors in the US.

The post holder will also work strategically with the US communications team in promoting
MSC and its partners in the media and the public. The Commercial Officer will field new inquiries from
outside companies seeking MSC certification and ecolabeling of product.  They will also provide program training to potential
and existing partners in the field.  The
post holder will provide input to relevant work streams and projects as needed
to assist the MSC’s commercial outreach team.

Ultimately, the post strives to increase the supply
of MSC labelled sustainable seafood choices across the US and support our
partners in understanding the MSC program.

There is limited administrative
support available but the post holder should expect to be self-servicing
regarding booking of tickets, planning trips etc. Outreach travel in the US and
or international travel as assigned. 

Responsibilities 

The work of the Commercial Officer is linked to MSC's overarching objectives of: 

• Ensuring the credibility of the MSC
• Getting certified product to market
• Maintaining and building strategic relationships with the MSC's stakeholders
• Increasing awareness of the MSC
• Maintaining quality internal systems and processes
• Ensuring financial security and sustainability of the MSC 

Specific responsibilities include: 

• Communicate the value proposition to companies seeking to use the blue ecolabel on product.
• Communicate the intricacies of the various chain of custody modules to interested parties.
• Call on both retail and food service accounts to influence decisions makers to source certified sustainable seafood and use the blue ecolabel on consumer facing point of sale and materials.
• Develop and strengthen relations with commercial stakeholders.
• Work in line with MSC's global commercial strategy and support the Senior Commercial Manager and team in the region in strategy development by mapping product flows and supply relations, feeding into internal consultation processes and participating in relevant internal working groups.
• Liaise with other departments of the MSC to ensure an integrated approach to certification, marketing and outreach.
• Provide oral and written advice through briefings, submissions and reports to MSC staff.
• Report progress against agreed work plans.
• Occasionally translate documents into Spanish.  

Qualifications  

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities: 

Commercial/Technical 

• BA or BS degree and/or relevant working experience with supply chain, the food or seafood business, marketing, fisheries or international business.
• Good understanding of the role of eco-labelling.
• Proficient computer skills, including the use of standard software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). 

Stakeholder Oriented 

• Proven track record of working with stakeholders from different backgrounds - preferably in the commercial and/or fishing sectors - with often diverging views, with the aim of winning their support.
• Demonstrated awareness of cultural differences and sensitivity to the diversity of values, views and approaches to issues relevant to the MSC program, and an ability to deal with them effectively. 

Management, Organizational and Personal Attributes 

• High personal and work ethics.
• Judgement and creativity, including influencing, negotiating and problem solving skills.
• Proven ability to contribute to productive team work, but also able to work on one's own.
• Self-starter and initiator.
• Excellent organizational and work planning skills, demonstrating high productivity and ability to manage competing work priorities.
• Able and willing to travel for business.
• Empathy and interest in the MSC's mission and objectives. 

Communication 

• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Experience in oral communication with a diverse range of stakeholders at differing organizational levels.
• Ability to grasp complex and intellectually challenging ideas and communicate them to people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated excellence in written communication in English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated ability in preparing and delivering presentations.
• Experience with social media is desirable. 

Compensation: Competitive salary, dependent upon experience plus benefits (employee health and dental insurance, long-term disability, participation in a Section 125 cafeteria plan and a 403b retirement plan).  

To Apply

Please use the email address below to send cover letter and resume to: 

Robin
Mead
MSC
Americas Region
Seattle,
WA  98103 

• Applications
  must be received by May 9, 2016. 
  Interviews are planned for May 17 and 18. Anticipated work start date is June 1, 2016.
• Click here to view the full Job Description and Organizational Chart visit our website.