AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER

Reporting to the Grower Affairs Director, the successful incumbent will play a key strategic and leadership role in the sustainability of sugar cane growing and supply chain management. The incumbent will also be responsible for multi-stakeholder engagement requirements, ensuring the development and implementation of all processes required to deliver sustainability assurance of sugarcane and supply.

Key Performance Areas

• Co-ordinate and facilitate a multi-stakeholder project to meet agreed industrial related customer requirements.
• Develop and motivate work plans and budgets to leverage project funding and support.
• Influence cane growers to adopt the sustainability initiative and ensure compliance with all relevant assurance requirements.
• Ensure miller-cum planter estates comply with sustainability prescripts.
• Establish and analyse business information to support strategic cane supply chain decision-making, including supply chain improvements and diversions.
• Participate in strategic cane supply studies and in the grower/miller interface opportunity committee.
• Manage the industry’s interaction related to sustainable agriculture initiative and participate in relevant Organisations’ Committees.
• Be the custodian of the Group’s sustainable cane farming initiative.
• Work collaboratively with cane procurement personnel in compiling strategic crop plans.
• Manage governance and policy compliance elements of ethical marketing initiatives.
• Foster the Organisation’s vision and uphold constructive working relationships with all industry stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful candidate should possess:
• A completed, recognized Agricultural or Environmental Management Degree.
• Minimum of 3 years in operational agricultural or environmental management fields.
• Minimum of 3 years in a cane procurement, supply chain management or advisory role.
• Experience in sustainable agricultural assurance will be a distinct advantage.
• A good institutional knowledge of sugar industry dynamics and its various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of SUSFARMS and related sustainable agricultural tools and processes.
• A high degree of business acumen with ability to anticipate, interpret and unravel complex issues impacting on the business.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, along with a proven ability to establish strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, as well as the ability to motivate and influence others.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills.
• A sound knowledge of the Microsoft office suite, sugar industry agreement and sugar cane production standards.
• A valid driver’s license.