Senior Sustainability Officer - Agricultural Supply Chains

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Professional development opportunities

Incentives based on performance

Exposure to diverse agricultural value

Team dedicated to responsible business

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sustainability Officer to lead sustainability strategies across our agricultural supply chains in Sandton, Gauteng. You will drive environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, and resource efficiency while aligning with ESG standards.

You will manage stakeholder engagement, analytics, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration to embed sustainable practices company-wide. A strong SA regulatory context understanding is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Agriculture, or related field.
• 6+ years in corporate sustainability or sustainable supply chain in food/agriculture.
• Strong knowledge of sustainability frameworks (GRI, ISO 14001) and ESG reporting.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, and project management skills.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and regulatory contexts in SA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sustainability strategies and action plans for agricultural supply chains.
• Assess environmental and social impact of current supply chain practices.
• Establish KPIs for sustainability and monitor progress.
• Engage with farmers and suppliers to adopt sustainable practices.
• Identify opportunities for water, energy, and waste efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with ESG standards and regulations.
• Develop and deliver sustainability training for teams and partners.
• Prepare sustainability reports and progress updates.
• Collaborate with procurement, operations, and R&D to integrate sustainability.
• Stay updated on trends and regulatory changes in agriculture.

Skills

Sustainability strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Project management

ESG reporting

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

GRI Standards

ISO 14001

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major food producer and distributor with significant operations across Southern Africa, is seeking an experienced Senior Sustainability Officer. This vital role, based in the commercial hub of Sandton, Gauteng , will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing sustainability strategies across their agricultural supply chains. The focus will be on promoting environmentally responsible farming practices, ensuring ethical sourcing, improving resource efficiency (water, energy), reducing waste, and supporting biodiversity. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of sustainability frameworks, agricultural practices, and supply chain management. You will collaborate with suppliers, farmers, internal departments, and external stakeholders to drive meaningful improvements and ensure compliance with sustainability standards and regulations. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the sustainability agenda of a leading food company and contribute to a more resilient and responsible agricultural sector. We are looking for a passionate advocate for sustainability with strong analytical and project management skills to lead initiatives in Sandton, Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive sustainability strategies and action plans for agricultural supply chains.
• Assess the environmental and social impact of current supply chain practices.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainability and monitor progress towards targets.
• Engage with and support farmers and suppliers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
• Identify opportunities for improving resource efficiency (water, energy, waste reduction) in agriculture.
• Ensure compliance with relevant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and regulations.
• Develop and deliver sustainability training and awareness programs for internal teams and external partners.
• Prepare sustainability reports, including environmental impact assessments and progress updates.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (procurement, operations, R&D) to integrate sustainability into business practices.
• Stay abreast of emerging sustainability trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in the agricultural sector.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability Management, Agriculture, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in corporate sustainability, environmental management, or sustainable supply chain development, preferably within the food or agriculture industry.
• Strong knowledge of sustainability principles, frameworks (e.g., GRI, ISO 14001), and ESG reporting.
• Understanding of agricultural production systems and their environmental/social impacts.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and management.
• Excellent analytical, research, and report-writing skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with the South African agricultural landscape and regulatory context is highly desirable.
• Experience working in or with businesses in the Gauteng area.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
• The chance to lead impactful sustainability initiatives.
• Work with a dedicated team committed to responsible business practices.
• Exposure to a complex and diverse agricultural supply chain.
• Contribute to building a more sustainable future for food production.