Company description

Real Organic Project, a grassroots farmer-led non-profit, seeks a Director of Certification to join our team. Real Organic Project runs an add-on certification program for farmers committed to integrity within the certified organic system. We currently certify over 1000 farms in North America. We also organize a yearly symposium and undertake a large variety of consumer and farmer facing educational efforts. Whoever fills this position should feel passionate about creating change within the food system and working hard to support real organic farmers. We pride ourselves on being a small organization that gets big things done.

Job description

The Real Organic Project Director of Certification will oversee and supervise all aspects of Real Organic Project’s certification program. This will include reviewing farm applications and inspections along with actively working to recruit and reach out to new farms. The certification director will spend a significant amount of time continuing to design and implement our systems and programs, working with our database administrator, and talking to organic farmers and retailers/distributors about our program. Because we are a small organization everyone is expected to pitch in on all aspects of our certification and educational work. Successful candidates will need to be comfortable spending at least 10% of their time traveling - especially during the growing season. This position includes supervision of our certification team.

Salary Range: 65K-80K (please note the top end of this range is reserved for those with significant, directly relevant experience)

Job Summary

Certification Director:

• Develops, manages and implements all aspects of our add-on certification program
• Develops, manages and implements efforts to recruit new farmers to join our add-on certification program
• Develops, manages and implements efforts to increase Real Organic Project label usage among certified farms, stores and partner organizations
• Works closely with the staff and leadership of Real Organic Project and the Real Organic Standards Board to ensure the integrity of our certification program
• Works closely, and collaborates with, a broad community of organic farmers, retailers, distributors of organic food and non-profits to conduct outreach and education about Real Organic Project and its programming
• Thinks and acts creatively, and with purpose, to find opportunities for the Certification Program to be successful
• Manages a small (currently 4 people) staff working on a complex variety of projects and tasks
• Ensures the annual tasks and goals of Real Organic Project’s certification program are accomplished with integrity and in a timely manner

This leadership role is an excellent opportunity to work with a well respected organization to have a significant impact on the US Organic market. This position will be largely self directed and will provide the opportunity to continue to build out a program while working with a diverse group of stakeholders. Successful applicants will be able to match a passion for organic farming and food with experience managing and inspiring a passionate team.

Basic qualification

• 3+ years experience in organic farm management
• Deep knowledge of farm certification programs
• Strong connections within the organic farming community
• Knowledge of the natural and organic foods retail space
• Previous experience working in a startup environment and/or an environment that requires significant independence and self motivation
• Ability to travel at least 10% of the time, especially during the growing season (travel costs paid by Real Organic Project)
• Ability to work proficiently with simple programs like Zoom and Google Suite
• Ability to gain proficiency with complex technologies like database systems (Real Organic Project uses Salesforce)
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing budgets
• Valid driver's license to travel to farms and/or conferences
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Responsibilities

• Manage the entirety of the Real Organic Project certification program including any responsibilities that may not be listed in this job posting
• Manage the internal mechanisms of Real Organic Project’s certification program including systems for application review, on farm inspections, renewal process and new farm onboarding
• Adjudicate certification related issue with farms - including interpreting of standards and making the final decision on new and renewal farm certification
• Manage recruitment of new farms including developing and implementing recruitment strategies
• Work with Real Organic Project’s standards board to implement new standards and improve the certification program
• Create and adhere to budgets for the certification program
• Attend conferences and other industry events on behalf of Real Organic Project
• Actively network in person, and virtually, with organic farmers and the organic movement
• Be the public voice of Real Organic Project by actively seeking out and speaking at farming conferences.
• Manage communication between the Real Organic Project leadership and certification team
• Direct and indirect staff supervision
• Create and distribute written and visual collateral to aid in marketing and sales of the program

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

November 08, 2023