Senior Director of Sustainability

Trellis Group; Wisconsin; Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401k matching

Tuition Reimbursement

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Organic Valley Cooperative seeks a Senior Director of Sustainability to lead the CROPP Sustainability Program and its climate action initiatives. The role manages the Farm Sustainability team and coordinates cross‑functional projects advancing sustainability across member farms.

Responsibilities include designing strategies, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and aligning with the Cooperative’s strategic plan while fostering collaboration and driving data‑driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 7+ years of experience.
• 3+ years of direct supervision of employees.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking and communication skills.
• Knowledge of organic farming systems and certification requirements including dairy.
• Experience with climate smart farming practices and data usage.

Responsibilities

• Direct and lead development and execution of sustainability programs.
• Oversee farm sustainability initiatives and emissions data management.
• Lead climate smarts projects and greenhouse gas tracking (Scope 1-3).
• Collaborate with senior leadership to refine strategic sustainability goals.
• Manage cross-department alignment and external sustainability partnerships.
• Oversee budgets for sustainability programs and grants.
• Report metrics quarterly and guide team development.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial analysis

Communication

Climate smart farming

Travel 20%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental science, biology, sustainability or similar field

Job description

If a company is going to make a difference in today’s world, it’s going to have to think differently. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the earth.We’re a mission-driven cooperative, owned by family farmers, and we’ve been leaders in organic agriculture from the very beginning.Once pioneers of organic agriculture, we’re now an established leader.Organic is all we do.We are driven by our mission to promote regional farm diversity and economic stability by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic products.

Summary of Role

The Senior Director of Sustainability is responsible for creating, implementing, and directing CROPP’s Sustainability Program and initiatives.

This position manages members of the Farm Sustainability team and works with various cross functional departments at CROPP to coordinate business and internal sustainability projects. The role involves managing the development, execution, and oversight of CROPP’s Climate Action Plan to support the sustainability objectives specified in the Cooperative’s Strategic Plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and lead the development and execution of all sustainability processes, programs and strategic initiatives within the cooperative.
• Direct development implementation and management of initiatives that improve the sustainability of CROPP’s member farms.
• Strategy design, execution, and oversight for modelling, collecting, and managing farm emissions data.
• Serve as technical lead for CROPP’s climate smart farming initiatives.
• Track and manage the Cooperative’s annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions, including Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
• Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions that drive business growth and innovation.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and CROPP Executives to define and refine CROPPs strategic vision on sustainability goals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration cross-departmentally on broader sustainability initiatives beyond farm sustainability.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with researchers regarding the environmental impacts of organic farming practices.
• Oversee CROPP's industry sustainability partnerships and sponsorships.
• Quarterly reporting on Farm Sustainability program metrics
• Align Sustainability team priorities and projects with cross functional departments as appropriate.
• Identify and develop cross-industry project teams to meet sustainability objectives.
• Manage sustainability consultants and vendors.
• Attend and as appropriate lead senior management meetings.
• Handle confidential information with discretion.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental science, biology, sustainability or similar field with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• At least 3 years’ experience with direct supervision of employees
• Proven experience in strategic planning, decision-making, and financial analysis.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• In-depth knowledge of industry trends, organic farming systems and organic certification requirements, including dairy, required.
• Expertise in climate smart farming practices, including on farm renewables, energy efficiency, manure management, and soil health a must.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Understanding of Life Cycle Analysis desired.Understanding of state and national energy programs and funding sources preferred.
• Experience leading sustainability and enterprise level projects required.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills required,
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required, including the ability to communicate effectively with farmers and business stakeholders.
• Strong analysis, strategic thinking, creative thinking, team leadership, planning, organizing, problem solving skills.
• Amiable, engaging with the ability to lead, motivate and inspire groups required.
• Collaborative individual who consistently demonstrates a constructive and proactive approach.
• Ability to work independently.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Create, manage and oversight of federal grants and sustainability sub‑department budgets.
• Analyze financial data to assess the impact of strategic decisions on the company's bottom line.
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions as needed to achieve financial targets.
• Develop and advance Sustainability messaging and communication to both internal and external audiences.
• Advocacy for industry best practices and contribute to shaping standards and regulations through representation of Cropp Cooperative in industry forums, conferences, and networking events
• Act as central point of contact for all the Cooperative’s sustainability requests for information and reporting.
• Direct and manage the Farm Sustainability team, programs and initiatives
• Offer guidance and resources to promote the achievement and growth of direct reports.
• Manage the staff performance through evaluating, providing timely feedback, training and coaching, and recommending personnel actions for assigned staff.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety procedures, and fair employment practices.

Base salaryrange: $124,384.00 - $172,193.00 per year

This salaryrange is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If you are hired at CROPP, your final base salarycompensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and/or experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should expect to be at the lower end of the salaryrange and hiring at the maximum of the salaryrange is not typical.

Benefits

We believe when our people are strong, our mission is strong. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive and holistic Total Rewards package meant to strengthen employees’ and their family's total wellbeing. Here are some of the great benefits offered:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance - Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf)
• Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Time Off – 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will.
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave – For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption.
• Vision & Dental Insurance – Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho.
• 401k – We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee’s contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions.
• Free services at five local Neighborhood Family Clinics.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education.
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance - $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee.
• Employee Assistance Program - Free and Confidential for employees, spouses, and dependents.
• Free onsite fitness centers available 24/7
• Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching.
• Financial advisors and seminars
• Annual $360 Lifestyle Spending Account
• Flexible Scheduling
• On-site all-organic cafeterias