Sustainability Business Development Manager CEE

The role is preferably based out of Istanbul, Belgrade or Lodz/Warsaw

About the role:

The Sustainability Business Development Manager will be a crucial member of the regional commercial team, driving sustainable sales across the Central Eastern Europe Region in line with our 100% Sustainable Ingredients by 2030 Forever Chocolate commitment. Working cross-functionally with the Global Sustainability team and the commercial team of the Region, the role reports to the region’s FM Business Development Director, and with a dotted line to the Global Sustainability Customer Solution team via the Global Business Development Director Sustainability. The holder of the role will be the go-to person for all topics linked to sustainability across the full value chain. This role offers an exciting opportunity to execute BC's ambition to be the leading provider of sustainable chocolate solutions for cocoa farming communities and our customers.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage operational and strategic sustainability relationships with CEE customers e.g. FM customers, Retailers, and Semi-industrials.
• Be a subject matter expert for EUDR and our Forever Chocolate strategy / progress to BC’s customers and stakeholders.
• Drive sustainable sales growth by influencing the landscape/stakeholders, by creating a pull from retail, and by inspiring our customers’ brands.
• Build the capacity of customer facing and support teams by giving training, and sharing best practices (e.g. Sales, Customer R&D, Pricing, and Customer Care Agents).
• Pitch and sell BC Sustainable solutions that go beyond basic certification / verification e.g. Carbon, CoH Plus, etc.
• Collaborate with BC international cross-functional sustainability & sourcing team (in HQ & Country teams).
• Position BC as the leader in sustainability and be the representative & subject matter expert for Forever Chocolate's strategy / progress to CEE customers.
• Create sustainability awareness and influence the sustainability landscape in our Region (e.g. via sustainability Webinars & events, via market Initiatives for Sustainable Cocoa).
• Build a relevant network of external stakeholders and position BC as the leader in sustainability.
• Scope:  All CEE customers with the exception of GCAs.

About you:

• Business-focused degree or diploma in a relevant field such as sales business administration, or commerce.
• Additional education in a field related to sustainability is a plus e.g. ESG, environmental science, and sustainability.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in B2B customer-facing roles at the regional level in large companies.
• At least 2-5 years of experience on the commercial or programmatic side of sustainability (ideally cocoa).
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly strong listening, influencing, negotiation, and perseverance skills.
• Fluent in English.
• Fluency in any other Central European language (e.g. Turkish, Polish, Serbian, Greek, Russian) is a plus.
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Travel requirements: Availability and willingness to travel within CEE region up to 30% of the time
• Broad understanding of major cocoa & chocolate industry sustainability issues i.e. human rights, deforestation, poverty, carbon / SBTi, traceability, and regenerative agriculture.
• Basic understanding of certifications (e.g. RA, FT).
• Highly skilled in technical sales, especially in translating complex topics into clear and sharp messaging to customers and sales teams with varying levels of understanding of the topic.
• Strong commercial acumen and customer orientation to be able to drive engagement with customer key stakeholders.
• Good understanding of the cocoa supply chain.
• Excellent networking and communication skills – understand the details but see the bigger picture.

We offer:

• Employment on a regular basis in the sweetest company in the world.
• Annual bonus based on your work results.
• Private medical care in Lux Med (basic package fully financed by BC).
• Fit Profit sports card co-financed by BC.
• PPE: we care about your future, and we save money for your retirement.
• Vacation subsidy as part of the Social Fund.
• Group life insurance.
• Parking space on the premises.
• As part of our work-life balance culture, we can start work between 7 am and 10 am.
• Chocolate! Yes, surprising but we have chocolate in the office, for Christmas, and many other occasions during the year.
• More chocolate: every quarter we get a chocolate deputation.
• You can purchase our sweet products with a special discount.
• We like to party as much as we like chocolate! We have integration budgets we can use for team events.
• Forever Chocolate and Event Team: you can join them and have a real influence on social life in BC and CSR activities.