Forest Products Sustainability & Engagement Manager - Remote position, US Southeast

Earthworm Foundation; North Carolina; Remote; USD 70,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The Earthworm Foundation seeks a Forest Products Sustainability & Engagement Manager to enhance ecological and social sustainability in forest product supply chains across the US Southeast and Canada. The role requires strategic engagement with stakeholders and driving programs to support sustainable practices, alongside significant experience and technical knowledge in relevant supply chains.

Benefits

25 days paid leave

11 public holidays

Paid sick leave

Parental leave

Insurance options

Retirement plan options

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in sustainability within forest product supply chains.
• Background in addressing social and ecological challenges.
• Working knowledge of forest certification systems.

Responsibilities

• Support forest supply chain and field programs in the US Southeast and Canada.
• Lead engagement with pulp, paper, and packaging suppliers.
• Monitor forest-related grievance processes and develop resolution strategies.

Skills

Sustainability

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Technical Knowledge of Supply Chains

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in relevant fields

Job description

Forest Products Sustainability & Engagement Manager - Remote position - US Southeast

About Earthworm

With most of our staff operating directly on the ground where the issues are, we work with our members and partners to make value chains an engine of prosperity for communities and ecosystems.

We envision a world where forests are a boundless source of materials and biodiversity; communities have their rights respected and opportunities to develop; workers are valued as productive partners; and agriculture serves to feed a hungry planet and stabilize our climate.

Your Mission

As a Forest Products Sustainability & Engagement Manager, you will be primarily responsible for:

1. Supporting the implementation of forest supply chain and field programs in the US Southeast and Canada.
2. Leading and coordinating engagement with pulp, paper, and packaging suppliers and mills in the US Southeast and Canada on behalf of Earthworm Member companies and packaging buyers, building strong relationships and driving strategies for ecological and social improvements in forest product supply chains.
3. Monitoring and supporting forest-related grievance processes to identify connections with Earthworm Members’ supply chains, and collaborating with field staff and partners to develop resolution strategies.
4. Supporting traceability data collection with downstream consumer goods companies and their suppliers, and developing supply chain analyses to assess progress against sustainability commitments and KPIs (e.g., Deforestation and Conversion-Free targets).
5. Conducting desktop research and contributing to field reporting to inform programs and supplier engagement activities.
6. Collaborating with technical solution leads and global Supply Chain Transformation Managers to ensure strategic alignment across engagement strategies.
7. Providing expertise in pulp and paper supply chains, sustainable procurement, and No-Deforestation topics.
8. Monitoring program progress, ensuring deliverables align with work plans and budgets, and providing technical support as needed.

Additionally, collaborating with coalitions and industry peers to align approaches and propose innovative solutions to supply chain challenges.

Your Profile

You possess technical knowledge of pulp, paper, and packaging supply chains and have a passion for leveraging supply chain solutions to achieve environmental and social outcomes.

You are logical, implementation-oriented, and driven to push beyond conventional sustainability mechanisms to create lasting ecological and social change. You excel at breaking down complex projects into actionable work plans, are highly organized, and capable of managing multiple workstreams and timelines.

With strong data and analytical skills, you are a strategic thinker who can connect insights to member strategies and broader organizational goals.

Your background in sustainability within forest product supply chains is complemented by experience addressing social issues (e.g., Indigenous rights, land tenure) and ecological challenges (e.g., forest degradation, land conversion, high conservation values). You also have working knowledge of forest certification systems and international commitments.

You are proactive, systems-oriented, and skilled at identifying key issues, risks, and solutions.

Working Conditions

• Remote position, preferably based in the US Southeast (e.g., Asheville, NC).
• Equivalent to 7+ years of academic and workplace experience in relevant fields.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (estimated 4 weeks/year).
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate global time zones.
• Reporting to the Partnerships Lead, Supply Chain Solutions, and Forest Program Manager; structure to be finalized prior to hire.
• Full-time, open-ended contract, with immediate start.
• Salary range: $70,000-$88,000 annually, based on experience.
• Benefits include 25 days paid leave, 11 public holidays, paid sick leave, parental leave, insurance, and retirement plan options.

Joining Us

To apply, send your resume, notice period, earliest start date, and how you learned of this vacancy to [e-mail] by Thursday, June 19, 2025. Use the subject line: P&P SCTM 2025 followed by your last name. Only complete applications will be considered. Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. The position remains open until filled.