Company description

Fair Trade USA is a non-profit, mission-driven organization headquartered in Oakland, CA that tackles social and environmental sustainability with an innovative, entrepreneurial approach. We empower farmers and workers to fight poverty, improve the lives of their communities, and protect the environment. We are the leading independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in North America.

Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and Fair Trade advocates on campuses and communities across the USA. Fair Trade Campaigns recognizes towns, colleges, universities, schools and congregations in the US for embedding Fair Trade practices and principles into policy, as well as the social and intellectual foundations of their communities. We provide tools, resources and support events to launch and grow local Fair Trade Campaigns in your town, university, school or congregation.

Job description

Fair Trade USA is currently investing significant capital in its global expansion and is well positioned for its next phase of growth, impacting the lives of millions of families. The Vice President of Coffee will join this incredible journey and help shape the strategies that drive the organization’s plans to scale. This is a rare history-making opportunity to work with a strong brand with a commitment of resources behind it and an appetite for innovative approaches to supply chain development, B-to-B partnerships and consumer activation.

Reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer, and a member of senior management, the Vice President is charged with driving the coffee category’s ambitious growth plans by overseeing the creation and execution of business development, sales, marketing and supply chain strategies and programs. The Vice President will lead a talented and passionate team of sales and supply chain development professionals.

The Vice President is ultimately responsible for growing the market of Fair Trade Certified™ coffee in the U.S. and beyond, driving both revenue for FTUSA and impact for coffee farmers around the world. The VP must lead the achievement of business development and sales targets within the context of a 5-year strategic growth plan launched in 2016. The VP has the advantages of working with an energetic and visionary CEO who has a coffee background, as well as an ambitious team and one of the best-known brands in the world of sustainable products.

Working in collaboration with four other category leaders and the Vice President of Marketing, the Vice President’s key priorities include:

• Lead the creation and implementation of business development and sales strategies for coffee, our flagship category.
• Oversee the stewardship of our 400+ coffee roaster and import partners, achieving sales growth and customer loyalty through a strong Fair Trade value proposition.
• Work with the coffee team to implement stronger sales management processes to meet growth targets with greater efficiency, scalability and profitability.
• Manage select key accounts and cultivate strategic account relationships.
• Evaluate emerging market opportunities to innovate the coffee program with new services and initiatives.
• Lead the creation and implementation of supply chain development strategies and services in support of strategic business development goals.
• Develop trade marketing strategies in collaboration with roaster and retail partners to raise awareness and drive sales.
• Lead creation of the category’s annual operating plans, budgets and revenue forecasts.
• Develop, support, mentor and lead the coffee team.
• Join the Senior Management Team and work closely with other organizational leaders to develop and implement FTUSA’s overarching strategies, policies and key initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate

Fair Trade USA is seeking an outstanding, accomplished business development and brand marketing leader from the coffee industry who can help significantly grow the organization’s revenue and impact over the next 3 to 5 years. The Vice President will be joining Fair Trade USA at one of the most pivotal moments since its founding. The organization been on a tremendous growth trajectory, with the injection of new capital and an expanding consumer base. The Vice President role is a legacy-building opportunity for an accomplished market builder who is inspired to take Fair Trade coffee to the next level.

The ideal candidate must be a coffee industry professional with a proven track record in leading business development and sales teams, and will have deep experience implementing successful growth strategies in organizations that are looking to aggressively scale. This includes having stellar negotiation and deal-making skills, as well as exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. At the same time, the VP will be excited by the opportunity to build and directly manage a portfolio of key accounts and relationships at the highest levels with many of the world’s leading coffee brands and retailers.

The Vice President will be a natural relationship builder, coach and mentor for staff. This position will lead a dedicated, knowledgeable and hardworking team. As such, the VP must have outstanding people management and facilitation skills, including the ability to identify talent and support professional development opportunities.

Fair Trade USA is a fast-paced, dynamic environment driven by a passion for doing good in the world. It values integrity, innovation, idealism and impact. The VP must thrive in this highly entrepreneurial and results-focused setting and bring the analytical strength to help the organization prioritize opportunities and execute successfully.

As a mission-driven organization, FTUSA seeks candidates from the private sector who are passionate about its mission and inspired to apply their business skills to an organization that creates profound, measureable impact for farming and working families around the world.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience with a track record of success in growing sales, market share and revenue. Coffee or food/beverage experience is required. Experience selling socially responsible and sustainable brands is highly desirable. The position is based in Oakland, California and requires domestic and international travel.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, more than $100,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline