Compliance Manager - Cocoa

Acre is partnering with Sucres et Denrées (Sucden), an independent soft commodities trader, based in Paris for the recruitment of a Compliance Manager - Cocoa.

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Over the last few years, Sucden has grown its presence in the cocoa market and is now one of the world's largest cocoa bean traders. This role is to be based either in Paris or Amsterdam.

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Sucden's sustainability objectives are rooted in three pillars: Sucden seeks to support farming families, safeguard the planet, and provide trustworthy cocoa. In practice "trustworthy cocoa" means that the clients must have trust that the cocoa that Sucden sells them will meet the growing legal requirements for imports, as well as the social and environmental requirements of other stakeholders.

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Role overview

As the Compliance Manager - Cocoa, you will oversee the maintenance of the certification of Sucden's sustainability operations in Paris and New York. This role will also be responsible for organizing and preparing for client audits (SMETA, in-house etc.) and supporting the Cocoa Sustainability Director in preparing materials for due diligence audits, led by Financial Institutions for loans linked to sustainability criteria. Finally, you will be responsible for deploying the strategy for compliance with consuming and producing country regulations (existing and upcoming), guiding the Program Manager, Regional Managers, the PMO and the Monitoring and Evaluation teams. You should have strong audit experience (sustainability and financial), demonstrate a strong attention to detail, and possess deep analytical and organizational skills.

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Responsibilities and tasks

Under the oversight of the Cocoa Sustainability Director, you will support on:

• Oversight of the rollout and deployment of the overall due diligence strategy of the cocoa sustainability team including:

• A strategy for identifying, mitigating and remediating risks related to deforestation and labor practices

• Certification preparation and maintenance

• Establishing SOPs in order to ensure the certification of Sucden's sustainability-related operations in Paris and New York

• Understanding all certification criteria

• Leading all certification audits

• Leading client audits

• Understanding all audit criteria

• Preparing for audits and establishing any necessary SOPs

• Leading audits

• Supporting the preparation of due diligence audits led by financial institutions on sustainability criteria

• Understanding all audit criteria

• Supporting the Cocoa Sustainability Director to prepare all relevant materials, prepare any necessary action plans to close gaps identified by the Financial institutions, etc.

• Lead the roll-out of activities to ensure compliance with the European Union's Deforestation Regulation

• Setting the strategy for compliance, alongside the Head of Cocoa and the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

• Supporting the Trade and Sustainability Teams for the proper implementation of the EU DR Due Diligence processes

• Coordination of deployment, amongst the Global Program Manager, the PMO, Regional Managers, origin sustainability teams, Monitoring and Evaluation teams, and consultants

• Participation in the European Cocoa Association's Task Force on EU DR

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Key skills and requirements

• A degree in a relevant field, such as supply chain management, agriculture, sustainability, rural development, etc.

• At least 10 years of relevant experience or similar demonstrable knowledge

• Proven track record delivering pragmatic compliance solutions

• Proven track record in implementing due diligence systems within smallholder agricultural systems

• Understanding of supply chains, tropical agriculture, and traceability

• Analytical skills and ability to draw insights from data (both quantitative and qualitative)

• Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners

• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Fluency in English is required. Additional knowledge of French and Spanish will be a plus.

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What is offered

Sucden is an equal opportunity employer. You will have the opportunity to join a dynamic, international team with growth opportunities, and a competitive package.

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Do you believe that this is the role for you in making an impact in the cocoa sector? Please apply directly via the link/Acre's website.

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For any enquiries, please contact Thaddeus Tan at thaddeus.tan@acre.com.