Technical Manager – Forestry

About our Organisation

The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of
human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues
in isolation.

We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we
support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn’t do any of this without
our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world
where it’s needed the most.

Soil Association Certification offers a huge range of organic and sustainable certification
schemes across food, farming, catering, health and beauty, textiles and forestry which are
recognised and trusted by consumers and businesses around the world. We’re the UK’s leading
organic certifier – you’ll find our symbol on over 70% of organic products.

About the Opportunity

The technical team provide an essential technical service to the staff of the forestry
department as well as the wider network of auditors, agents and certificate holders across the
globe. No two days are the same as we regularly respond to scheme owner changes through
integration into our Quality Management Systems, training and calibrating our network and
co-ordinating internal and external audits and findings to ensure full implementation. We
regularly collaborate with our scheme owners including FSC and PEFC to ensure that the
certification standards are robust and implementable enabling us to increase our positive
impact on responsible forest management through our certification activities. The imminent
integration of the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) into the scheme owner accreditation
standards has instigated this recruitment process which will expand our team to four Technical
Managers.

About You

We are looking for someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the
ability to analyse and interpret regulatory text. They will take ownership of tasks and pride
in completing them accurately and efficiently.

They will ideally have excellent knowledge of certification, quality systems and accreditation
particularly in relation to forestry/ chain of custody/forest industry.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro
  rata for part time)
• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with
  length of service
• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce
• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy,
  sustainable lifestyle and produce

Hours

37.5 hours per week with flexibility as needed i.e. for travel at weekends

Permanent

Location

Home-Based UK with international scope