Cocoa Sustainability Reporting and Certification Specialist at Sucden
The Cocoa Sustainability Reporting and Certification Specialist is a key member of Sucden’s global sustainability team, focused on delivering accurate data, insightful analysis, and comprehensive support for sustainability initiatives across West Africa and Latin America. Based on the Sucden/ General Cocoa trading desk alongside the Sustainability Project Manager, the Specialist plays a central role in managing sustainable cocoa volumes, coordinating certification schemes and leading the preparation of sustainability reports for clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. The Specialist ensures accurate data validation and seamless transmission between field teams, accounting systems, and internal departments, while working closely with regional teams as well as commercial and sustainability colleagues across France, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and Nigeria.
This role suits a professional who understands the complexities of working in a global business environment and is passionate about sustainable agriculture, emission reductions, human rights, and rural development The position is based in the New York City office with one remote day permitted weekly. They report directly to General Cocoa’s management team and the Sustainability Project Manager, while working closely with Sucden’s Global and Regional Cocoa Sustainability teams.
Responsibilities and Tasks:
Lead Global Data Reporting
Gather, aggregate, and analyze program data across clients and countries to report annually to industry, funders, and civil society under the guidance of the PM (CSR Report, ICI reports, CFI reports, Chocolate Scorecard)
Monitor and update global reporting calendar to track reporting deadlines, ensuring the team delivers KPIs and reports to clients and entities on time
Maintain strong communication cross company on reporting matters
Manage Client Program Reporting
Gather program data from the Cote d’Ivoire team and report monthly in client portals, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Generate and review highly professional quarterly and annual reports for clients and stakeholders
Work closely with origin teams to ensure reports go beyond data delivery, providing meaningful analysis, field-based insights, and learnings relevant to each client
Support the identification and articulation of program challenges, success stories, and lessons learned for inclusion in client-facing deliverables
Ensure data quality control and consistency across client reports
Coordinate, review, and support cross-origin reporting for process optimization.
Support Requests from Clients and Teams (Corporate, Trade, and Sustainability)
Provide support to PM on key account management
Assist trading team in carrying out data requests, utilizing internal commodity accounting system (ITAS) to gather information on contracts and volumes
Monitor sustainability premiums and deliveries on ITAS ○ Assist sustainability team with research and data requests
Oversee Cocoa Certifications including Rainforest Alliance (RA), Third Party Verified Program, and Fair Trade
Track cocoa sales and purchases in Excel and maintain corresponding RA certificates required for each contract in the RA Portal
Communicate with traders and customers on the status of certificates
Monitor updates to the RA standard and to Fairtrade standard, tracking and researching new releases and communicating these internally
Assist in applying for and renewing certifications for Fairtrade USA and RA
Collaborate with Sucden Paris middle office on certification account management
Support ad hoc the Sustainability Compliance manager
Support emission reduction target setting and reporting
Support organization’s GHG inventory in alignment with industry practices
Support PM in GHG removal/reduction project research, proposals, and monitoring including operational implementation of GHG Protocol guidelines
Assist in corporate GHG emission reduction roadmap
Desired Education, Qualifications, and Experience:
Minimum 2–4 years of relevant work experience in sustainability (GHG inventories or projects), certification, monitoring and evaluation, program reporting, or consulting
A bachelor’s degree or higher in sustainability, environmental science, agricultural economics, international development, or a related field
Authorization to work in the United States
Experience working with GHG inventories, commodity positions, or certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance is highly desirable.
Experience required in data platforms, Excel-based tools, and/or enterprise systems
Desired Skills and Personal Attributes:
Strong interest in sustainable agriculture, human rights, global supply chains, and climate
Analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail and data accuracy
Organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, international environment
Clear and professional communicator across countries, time zones, teams, and interests
Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented with a collaborative spirit
Fluency in English required; French or Spanish a strong plus
Compensation:
Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000 USD commensurate on experience and qualifications.
Interested candidates should submit their resume and brief (>1 page) cover letter to applications@generalcocoa.com by May 30th. Please include “Cocoa Sustainability - Reporting and Certification Specialist” in the subject line. Please be aware that due to the high volume of applications, we cannot guarantee a response to all candidates.