Sustainable Certification Specialist

**Are you passionate about sustainable land management and driving positive environmental impact? Do you thrive in a dynamic role balancing certification audits and client engagement across agricultural and forestry sectors? If so, this position could be an exciting next step for you**
- Preferred location is the Greater Toronto Area or U.S. Midwest, though other remote locations may be considered._

**What you can expect**:
As the **Sustainable Certification Specialist**, you will play a key role in delivering sustainable certification services for clients across the agricultural and forestry sectors in the U.S. and Canada. This hybrid role will split time between the agriculture (60%) and forestry (40%) supply chain teams where you'll be managing and auditing clients certified to our sustainability certification standards located in the Greater Toronto Area as well as across the US & Canada. You will be responsible for managing client portfolios, conducting certification audits, and contributing to the overall growth and success of Preferred by Nature's mission.

**Your Key Responsibilities**:
**Audit Management**:

- Manage the execution of Chain of Custody (CoC) audits, including budgeting, contracts, team management, and report finalization.
- Conduct audits for agricultural and forestry certification schemes (FSC, Rainforest Alliance, RSPO) across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring compliance with technical protocols and standards.

**Client Engagement**:

- Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, offering guidance on certification processes, audit scheduling, and technical support.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring they understand certification standards, compliance requirements, and trademark use.

**Process Improvement**:

- Assist in policy development and provide input for technical improvements to the certification system.
- Help maintain technical and administrative databases (e.g., Salesforce, spreadsheets, etc.).

**Project Development**:

- Contribute to the growth of certification services by identifying new client opportunities and attending industry events, trade shows, and conferences.
- Provide technical expertise on emerging trends in agricultural and forestry certification.

**Your first year with us**
- Within three months you will:_
- Familiarize yourself with Preferred by Nature’s policies, protocols, and digital tools.
- Begin training as an auditor for FSC, RA, and RSPO standards, participating in 3-4 certification audits.
- Start building relationships with clients and stakeholders in the U.S. and Canada.
- Within six months you will:_
- Qualify as a lead auditor for FSC, RA, and RSPO supply chain certification schemes.
- Manage audits and client portfolios independently, ensuring timely completion and high-quality service.
- Strengthen your expertise in Chain of Custody (CoC) auditing by completing 4-6 audits.
- Within twelve months you will:_
- Be self-sufficient in managing certification schemes (FSC, RA, RSPO) and qualify as a peer reviewer.
- Take on task management roles for audits, overseeing quality control and budget management.
- Represent Preferred by Nature at industry events and contribute to the growth of certification services.

**Important Qualifications**:

- ** Bachelor’s degree required**; concentration in Agriculture, Ecology, Biology, Conservation, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum **2 years** **of work experience**.
- Experience auditing agricultural, forestry, social, and/or management certification schemes (RA, RSPO, FSC, ISO, UEBT, SRP, Global GAP, Café Practices, etc.) is preferred.
- Knowledge of **Rainforest Alliance certification**, **RSPO certification**, or **Forest Stewardship Council** is a plus.
- Experience working with **palm oil** is advantageous.
- Strong customer service orientation with experience managing client portfolios
- Proficiency in digital tools (Salesforce, spreadsheets, databases)
- Willingness to travel up to **35% of the time across the U.S. and Canada**:

- Fluency in English required; **proficiency in Spanish or French is a plus**:

- Dual work eligibility** (US and Canada) is a plus.**

**What Sets Us Apart**:

- Global work culture
- Flexible work arrangements with full remote work options.
- An in-depth onboarding and professional training that prepares you with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in this role.
- Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
- Potential future international travel opportunities
- A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
- Extended benefit package
- 24 days of paid vacation

**Preferred by Nature**

Preferred by Nature is a non-profit, mission driven organisation that works for sustainable land management and climate-friendly solutions. With 300+ employees and a network of local experts, we develop practical solutions to drive positive impacts in production landscapes and supply chains in 100