Cocoa Nature Sustainability Manager

Job Description:

The world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. At Mars our Sustainable in a Generation (SIG) Plan is our roadmap to creating a healthy planet where people and pets can thrive.

The Cocoa Nature Sustainability Manager plays a dual strategic role within Mars Cocoa Enterprise. First the role serves as Program Management Officer (PMO) for the Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Program working with suppliers to operationalize farm-level regenerative interventions across key origins. Second the role leads Global Nature & Climate Data Analytics combining geographic information systems (GIS) farm-level Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Measurement Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems to substantiate greenhouse gases results and biodiversity improvements.

Acting as a bridge between global sustainability strategy regional teams external partners and cocoa suppliers this role ensures our interventions deliver verifiable audit-ready nature-related impact at the farm-level. This role is critically important as it supports Mars most impactful GHG reduction program to date across all Mars and plays a pivotal role in enabling the company to achieve its publicly stated Net Zero commitment under the Mars SIG Plan.

Minimum requirements:

Minimum: Bachelors degree in environmental science Agronomy Agricultural Economics Sustainable Development Data Science or an Engineering/Business discipline with sustainability specialization.

Preferred: Masters degree in Agronomy Agroforestry Environmental Management GIS/Remote Sensing or related applied science.

7 years of relevant professional experience spanning:

Agribusiness sustainability regenerative agriculture or sustainable sourcing programs.

Quantitative environmental data analysis Scope 3 / FLAG accounting and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Program Management Office (PMO) leadership overseeing multi-country agricultural projects.

Strategic financial acumen and analytical capabilities. Comfortable navigating digital systems for data management and reporting.

Strong project management skills including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple issues manage scope and risks

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

Data & Systems Acumen: Advanced quantitative modelling skills; hands-on proficiency with tools such as Power BI Python/R Excel SimaPro and the Cool Farm Tool.

Geospatial & Spatial Expertise: Strong understanding of GIS tools (e.g. ArcGIS QGIS Google Earth Engine) applied to farm boundary verification polygon validation land-use change and deforestation monitoring.

Standards & Protocols: Demonstrated fluency with GHG Protocol (Corporate Scope 3 and Land Sector and Removals Guidance) Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi FLAG) WCF GHG Accounting Guidelines and the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi).

PMO & Stakeholder Leadership: Proven track record in project management (governance milestones risk registers supplier reviews) within cross-cultural supply chain environments.

Language Skills: Professional working proficiency in both English and Spanish given active PMO responsibilities in Latin America.

Preferred requirements:
Masters degree in Agronomy Agroforestry Environmental Management GIS/Remote Sensing or related applied science.

Language Skills: Professional working proficiency in English Spanish and French given active engagement in Latin America and West Africa.

Experience with agribusiness sustainability regenerative agriculture or sustainable sourcing programs.

Data & Systems Acumen: Advanced quantitative modelling skills; hands-on proficiency with tools such as Power BI Python/R Excel SimaPro and the Cool Farm Tool.

PMO & Stakeholder Leadership: Proven track record in project management (governance milestones risk registers supplier reviews) within cross-cultural supply chain environments.

What will be your key responsibilities

Cocoa Climate & Nature Data Analytics GIS and MRV

Farm-Level Spatial Analysis & Traceability: GIS analytics polygon mapping and support deforestation-free assurance mechanisms for cocoa farms. Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation (MEL) team to ensure supplier polygon and boundary data adhere to stringent quality completeness and geolocation integrity standards.

Scope 3 GHG Accounting & Scenario Modeling: Lead emissions footprint calculations and trajectory modeling for cocoa sourcing in line with the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance (FLAG) and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Model emission reduction pathways and marginal abatement costs

Cocoa GHG Data Inclusion in Corporate Reporting: Lead the end-to-end process for integrating cocoa-related GHG data into Mars corporate reporting. Ensure the timely accurate and complete submission of data in line with central reporting requirements supporting the development of Mars company-wide GHG inventory sustainability disclosures and climate target tracking. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to validate data quality address reporting gaps and continuously improve data collection and assurance processes.

Cocoa Climate-Smart Agriculture Program

PMO the operational rollout of holistic farm-level regenerative agriculture practicesincluding diversified agroforestry systems soil health restoration biochar integration low-carbon fertilizer application and shade-canopy management.

Support the design and deployment of farmer-centric incentive models (e.g. technical assistance input access payment for ecosystem services) to derisk the multi-year transition to regenerative cocoa farming.

Ecosystem Co-Benefits: Ensure programs simultaneously optimize carbon sequestration enhance on-farm biodiversity build water resilience prevent land degradation and support living income and farmer resilience.

The associate operates with a high level of autonomy acting as a critical bridge between corporate commitments and the operational realities of the agricultural supply chain globally.

Internal Matrix: Operates with high autonomy within a matrixed organization collaborating daily across Mars Cocoa Enterprise Monitoring and Evaluation Team Mars Healthy Planet teams Regional Sourcing & Supplier Development team and Science & Technology teams.

External Ecosystem: Manages relationships with suppliers technology and MRV vendors and NGO partners where programs are implemented.

Operational Environment: Requires balancing technical rigor (GHG modeling GIS data architecture) with practical culturally attuned operational program delivery in origin countries.

Travel: Ability to travel up to 20% globally to perform on-farm assessments attend supplier reviews and participate in industry conferences.

What can you expect from Mars
Work with diverse and talented Associates all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company where were striving to build the world we want tomorrow today.
A strong focus on learning and development support from day one including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package including company bonus.

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The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below however base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge skills and total compensation package for this position will include variable pay medical and dental benefits participation in 401k plan and paid time off of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.