Director Global Farmer Support Centers and Starbucks Farms CDI 100%

Role Overview and Objectives

This position plays a crucial role in advancing the company’s mission by guiding teams in transforming commitments to sustainability and environmental stewardship into practical actions within agricultural practices. The individual will lead efforts to establish targets for the team, develop organizational capabilities, and foster a spirit of cooperative teamwork.

The role emphasizes the importance of coffee expertise and relationship management with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and collaboration across the business and the coffee industry to achieve impactful results. A key aspect involves crafting strategic and operational plans, overseeing their execution, and measuring outcomes through key performance indicators (KPIs). Ultimately, the focus remains on enhancing farm profitability, productivity, and climate resilience, all while adhering to guiding principles and promoting team development.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Team Management:
  • Provide strategic direction and leadership to a team, including multiple centers and respective farms.
  • Encourage a collaborative and inclusive culture aimed at achieving common objectives.
  • Mentor team members to foster skill enhancement and professional growth.
  • Support global sustainability initiatives to ensure cohesive implementation across the organization.
  • Oversee farming and commercial operations on-site.
• Translating Promises into Farm Practices:
  • Collaborate closely with farmers to convert sustainability commitments into practical farming actions.
  • Provide customized support to aid farmers in adopting sustainable practices.
  • Work with internal and external experts to develop innovative solutions aligned with sustainability goals.
• Farm Support Services:
  • Offer specialized agronomic advice to improve crop yield and quality.
  • Ensure social and labor standards compliance through ongoing audits and training initiatives.
  • Lead the creation of diverse income business models for smallholder farms.
  • Design and implement sustainable farming processes to minimize environmental impact while boosting productivity.
  • Develop strategies enhancing climate resilience and addressing environmental challenges in farming operations.
• Model Farm Network Development:
  • Establish a network of model farms to exemplify best practices in sustainable agriculture.
  • Partner with stakeholders to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities within the network.
  • Promote continuous innovation and knowledge sharing among farming communities to enhance sustainable practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Act as the main point of contact between various teams, suppliers, and farmers.
  • Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders for collaborative efforts towards mutual goals.
  • Effectively communicate program updates and progress to both internal and external parties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field; advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in agricultural extension services or related fields, with coffee industry knowledge preferred.
• Proven experience in team leadership and management, showcasing a history of exemplary results through team efforts.
• In-depth understanding of agronomic principles, sustainable farming practices, and supply chain dynamics.
• Strong project management capabilities with a proven ability to juggle multiple initiatives effectively.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, skilled in building rapport across various stakeholders.
• Track record of successful collaboration in cross-functional teams driving consensus.
• Proficiency in applying sound business practices to both project and change management.
• Ability to manage vendor relationships effectively.
• International work experience preferred.
• Proficient communication skills in English; Spanish fluency is an added advantage.

Scope of Leadership

Direct Reports: 8-12