Business Development Manager, Sustainable Agriculture Division

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by implementing better business practices for biodiversity conservation and sustainability. Companies, cooperatives, and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards for protecting the environment, wildlife, workers, and local communities.

The Sustainable Agriculture Division of the Rainforest Alliance is the international secretariat of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), a coalition of independent Latin American conservation and rural development groups which promote sustainable agriculture as an alternative for development and conservation of the major commodity crops (bananas, coffee cocoa, citrus, flowers) that have widespread and profound influence on the economies, environments, cultures and politics of tropical countries. RA and SAN manage a regional program to guide, motivate and verify social and environmental improvements on farms, awarding a seal of approval (Rainforest Alliance Certified TM) to farms that meet comprehensive standards. 

Position Summary: 

The Business Development Manager will be responsible for the rapid scaling-up of RA Certified products in the US mainstream and specialty markets. S/he will also be responsible for cultivating and supporting relationships with strategic business partners offering sustainably certified agricultural products, with the aim to make products grown in harmony with the environment and local communities widely accessible to consumers in the US. 

Responsibilities:  

• Scaling-up the market demand for "RA Certified" products in consumer markets in the US and Canada;  
• Define a strategy (in collaboration with the Senior Marketing Manager) for engaging coffee roasters and food retailers (mass market, mainstream supermarkets, fast food chains, convenience stores, etc) not yet engaged in RA's coffee certification program; this includes performing research on the companies with regard to structure, size, product range, and key representatives, thus facilitating contacts to the company;  
• Cultivate new business relationships and recruit businesses to the program;  
• Nurture existing relationships with roasters and food retailers currently sourcing RA Certified coffee to increase and deepen their engagement in the program;  
• Periodically meet with partner companies to plan joint activities and events, determine their demand for coffee and other products, set targets and collaborate with supply chain managers in order to fulfill the growing demand for RA Certified Agricultural products; collaborate with companies on the timely delivery of these activities and events, including collaboration with company staff and RA colleagues on logistics and press;  
• Support participating companies (in coordination with RA marketing and communications staff) in the development and launch of marketing and media campaigns;  
• Work to determine short, medium, and long-term market demand (in collaboration with the senior marketing manager and supply chain coordinators); this will gradually develop into a reliable and continually updated tool that will serve to guide expansion of certification activities to meet the growing demand;  
• Attend coffee and food industry events and organize and respond to threats and opportunities in this rapidly evolving environment; and  
• Other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications:  

• Bachelors Degree in economics, international relations, international development or related discipline;  
• 3-5 years experience in marketing and sales related to the food and beverage industry;  
• Experience working with communities and farmers in developing countries;  
• Solid understanding of social and environmental certification systems and knowledge of the latest trends related to corporate social responsibility and sustainable sourcing initiatives;  
• Extensive knowledge of local business culture and markets;  
• Spanish language skills preferred;  
• Capacity to work in an independent and systematic way;  
• Strong communicator and winning personality;  
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, and Outlook);  
• Must be able to travel a minimum of 40% of the time;

Salary:  Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package provided.

To Apply:

Email, fax or mail resume, cover letter and salary history.

Human Resources
Rainforest Alliance
665 Broadway, Suite 500
New York, NY 10012 

The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.