Associate Manager CDI Operations - Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing

About the role

The Hershey Company is looking for an Associate Manager CDI Operations to lead its cocoa sustainability programs in Côte d'Ivoire. The role oversees programs that improve farmer livelihoods and strengthen cocoa-growing communities, acting as the link between corporate sustainability goals and on-the-ground implementation. It works with suppliers, NGOs, government institutions and industry stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and day-to-day oversight of cocoa sustainability programs, ensuring quality and measurable impact for farming communities.
• Serve as the main escalation point for operational challenges and support cocoa procurement, including supplier performance, quality, delivery delays, pricing and regulatory matters.
• Drive Cocoa For Good initiatives such as income acceleration and long-term supplier engagement programs.
• Develop, monitor and analyse program KPIs and budgets, and support commercial negotiations with suppliers and partners.
• Manage grievances, complaints and sustainability issues, and represent Hershey in industry forums, government engagements and stakeholder meetings.
• Build relationships with suppliers, NGOs, government agencies and community organisations, and communicate progress and risks internally and externally.

Required profile

• At least 7 years of experience in sustainability, agricultural supply chains, commodity sourcing, international development, procurement or program management.
• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder sustainability programs, preferably in the cocoa, agriculture, food or commodity sectors.
• Experience working with suppliers, NGOs, government agencies and community-based organisations in developing markets.
• Strong understanding of responsible sourcing, farmer livelihood initiatives and cocoa sector challenges.
• Experience managing budgets, performance metrics and program implementation across multiple projects and partners.
• Proven stakeholder management, negotiation and relationship-building skills, and experience handling operational challenges and grievances.
• Ability to travel regularly within Côte d'Ivoire and the region; fluency in English required, French strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Agriculture, International Development, Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Environmental Sciences or a related field; Master's degree preferred.