Job Title: Farm Sustainability Lead
Location: Ballineen Co. Cork
Carbery invests significantly in sustainability and, with sustainability at the heart of our business, we support our farmer-suppliers in realising our ambitious strategy. Together with the West Cork Co-ops and Teagasc, we have developed farm performance programmes (for example, the Carbery Greener Dairy programme) to ensure ambitious standards in the areas of milk quality and food safety, animal welfare and sustainability. Our sustainability strategy drives continuous development in sustainable dairy farming.
Our Purpose
Enriching lives, together.
Job Summary
We know that the key to realising our ambitious sustainability strategy and climate targets is our farmers-suppliers. The Farm Sustainability Lead will communicate our strategy, build positive relations, and develop an understanding of their needs and aspirations. They will engage with all Carbery stakeholders, including farmer-suppliers, farmer networks (including Teagasc), Co-ops, Farm Zero C team, employees, and the Carbery Board. They will lead Carbery’s work on the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform – a primary global food and drink value chain initiative for sustainable global agriculture.
Key Responsibilities
• Represent Carbery at farmer and stakeholder meetings, at a local and national level.
• Co-ordinate and lead the Carbery Greener Dairy Programme.
• Manage our Futureproof programme (sustainability bonus) and lead engagements with all stakeholders.
• Work closely with Teagasc on the Carbery Joint Programme and Signpost Programme for the Carbery area.
• Manage the farm sustainability team, build a positive work environment focused on their development, collaboration, and teamwork.
• Engage with external experts and advisors, explaining our approach and how it aligns with other initiatives.
• Participate in strategic farm sustainability projects (e.g. Farm Zero C), contributing your technical knowledge and consulting closely with the four West Cork co-ops.
• Lead new sustainability initiatives developed for the Carbery area.
• Continuously develop our sustainability approach reflecting updates to legislation, guidelines, and best industry practices.
Essential Requirements
• Possess a BSc Agriculture or BSc Environmental Science with a strong interest in sustainability including skills in biology linked to farm systems.
• Proven record of working with farmers-primary producers in an advisory or consulting capacity.
• Ability to explain and communicate complex issues in a simple and easy-to understand manner.
• Team player with strong networking skills and a proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
Desirable Requirements
• Knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions linked to farm systems.
• People management experience.
We offer.
A global company with ambitions to be a leader in sustainability whilst enabling our farmers suppliers and primary producers to lead the way. A sustainability team developing and managing farm programmes to truly deliver on our strategic ambitions. An opportunity to continuously develop, learn new skills, gain new insights in a space which is endlessly challenging and exciting. Join us on our journey and make your impact in helping us to create sustainable value for our farmer-suppliers.
Our Commitment to our People
At Carbery, we aim to be a best-in-class employer for our diverse, multi-cultural, multi-generational workforce. We are committed to nurturing a culture that supports inclusion, diversity, respect, and ethical behaviour at all times. Every employee is entitled to a safe workplace and support for their health and wellbeing.
We believe what we do matters and it’s important our people understand their personal development and personal wellbeing matters to us too. We are committed to supporting our people to deliver every day, for now and the future.
