Role Purpose
The Sustainability Manager is responsible for leading andcoordinating the company's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategyacross all operations. The role ensures compliance with international ESG standards, lender and investor requirements, and internal policies, whiledriving continuous improvement in environmental performance, socialresponsibility, and governance systems.
The Sustainability Manager also acts as the primarytechnical authority for ESG frameworks and reporting, and mentors ESG traineesand country teams to build organizational ESG capacity.The role furtherensures integration of ESG considerations across the agricultural value chain,including sourcing, processing, warehousing, and logistics operations, with afocus on emerging market and smallholder contexts.
Key Responsibilities
1. ESG Strategy & Governance
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve the company's ESG strategy, policies, and Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) across processing, warehousing, and transportation operations.
- Ensure alignment with international standards and frameworks, including IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Group EHS Guidelines and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- Advise senior management on ESG risks, opportunities, and compliance obligations.
- Lead the development, harmonization and continuous improvement of corporate ESG policies, procedures and templates across multiple jurisdictions.
- Ensure integration of ESG considerations into core business functions including procurement, operations, logistics and investment decision-making.
2. Environmental Management & Climate Action
- Lead corporate carbon accounting in accordance with the GHG Protocol, covering Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant Scope 3 emissions.
- Oversee the development, validation, and review of annual carbon inventories and supporting assumptions.
- Guide climate-related risk and opportunity assessments, including physical and transition risks, using recognized tools (e.g. WWF Risk Filter, Aqueduct, GRI Viewer).
- Support deforestation risk screening, forest conservation commitments, and supply chain traceability initiatives.
- Develop and track environmental performance KPIs across sites, including energy, water, waste and emissions.
- Support implementation of site-level environmental management plans, including wastewater management, waste management and resource efficiency initiatives.
3. Social Performance & Human Rights
- Oversee implementation of social management practices, including (i) labour standards and occupational health & safety, (ii) gender equality, living wage considerations, and worker welfare and (iii) Community engagement and grievance mechanisms
- Lead or supervise heightened human rights due diligence where required.
- Ensure alignment with frameworks such as Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights Livelihood Restoration Plans and Resettlement Action Plans (where applicable)
- Support implementation of responsible sourcing practices, including farmer onboarding, supplier code of conduct compliance, and supply chain risk assessments.
- Oversee farmer and community engagement initiatives, including training programs on agricultural best practices, pesticide use, and climate resilience.
4. ESG Reporting & Disclosures
- Lead preparation and consolidation of ESG data and reporting for: Lenders and development finance institutions (DFIs), Impact investors and Annual Sustainability / ESG Reports
- Ensure reporting alignment with relevant standards and metrics (e.g. GRI, TCFD, IRIS+, 2X Challenge).
- Oversee annual third-party ESG assessments and ratings, including EcoVadis, ensuring timely and high-quality submissions.
- Establish and maintain ESG data management systems, including KPI tracking frameworks across multiple countries.
- Coordinate responses to lender monitoring requirements, including Annual Monitoring Reports (AMRs) and ad hoc ESG disclosures.
5. Risk Management, Due Diligence & Audits
- Lead environmental and social due diligence for investments, financing, or new operations.
- Oversee implementation, monitoring, and closure of Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs) and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs).
- Coordinate internal and external ESG audits and ensure audit readiness across country operations.
- Support development and implementation of climate risk assessments and mitigation plans at country and site levels.
6. Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement
- Provide technical guidance and training to country teams to strengthen ESG compliance and operational implementation.
- Build ESG awareness across operational, HR, procurement, and management functions, including operational staff, management and smallholder farmers.
- Act as the primary ESG focal point for engagement with investors, lenders, auditors, and external consultants.
- Coordinate cross-country ESG initiatives and ensure consistency in implementation and reporting standards.
7. Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Directly manage and mentor ESG Management Trainees and junior ESG staff.
- Set learning objectives, review deliverables, and support professional development of ESG team members.
- Establish standardized ESG tools, templates, and guidance materials for consistent application across countries.
Key Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Management, Social Sciences, International Development, Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 4-6 years of relevant experience in ESG, sustainability, E&S risk management, or responsible sourcing, preferably in multi-country or emerging market contexts.
- Strong working knowledge of: IFC Performance Standards and lender ESG requirements ESG reporting frameworks (GRI, TCFD, IRIS+, EcoVadis) and Carbon accounting and climate risk assessment.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) in line with DFI requirements is highly desirable.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and data management skills with high attention to detail
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to translate ESG standards into practical, operational solutions
- Proven capability to work independently while influencing across functions and geographies
- Training, mentoring, and capacity-building abilities
- Ability to work in complex, multi-country agricultural supply chains involving smallholder farmers and emerging market risks.
