Cocoa Nature Sustainability Manager

Mars•Chicago, IL

1d•$108,160 - $148,720•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Master’s 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.

Responsibilities

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.
PMO the operational rollout of holistic farm-level regenerative agriculture practices—including 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.