Buyer Engagement Manager, Europe

~ The mission of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership is to maintain healthy ocean ecosystems, enhance fishing livelihoods and secure food supplies. ~

SFP improves access to information to guide responsible seafood sourcing, and enhances the ability of seafood companies and partners to influence government fisheries policies and management practices to improve fisheries.

SFP works to improve fisheries through Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) using the leverage of seafood buyers. A FIP is built on collaboration between retailers, their suppliers, and NGO advisors that aims to influence government policies and management practices and improve marine conservation and the sustainability of an individual fishery.

Position Overview

SFP is looking for a high caliber individual to support buyer engagement with our seafood industry partners in the UK and Europe. The role will act as a lead representative between multiple layers of SFP staff and members of the seafood industry to ensure all objectives are being fulfilled.

As the sustainable seafood movement matures in the UK and Europe, SFP is seeking an innovative, outgoing, forward-thinking professional to help guide future strategy and partnerships.

The ideal candidate will also have good relations with the leading companies who deal in seafood and must have demonstrated previous leadership in improving fisheries management and marine conservation.

SFP is a virtual organization; the candidate should have a strong work ethic that would allow them to work from a home base without the structure of an office setting. The candidate will be self-motivating and accountable for achieving the mission and vision of the organization. 

Responsibilities 

Corporate Engagement 

• Develop SFP's buyer engagement strategy in Europe, based on a detailed and nuanced understanding of European seafood markets, consumer demand for sustainability, and the structure of supply chains.
• Identify new partners, develop proposals describing the options and benefits of partnering with SFP and negotiate partnerships.
• Meet regularly with major buyer partners to manage relationships and provide them with briefings and updates on sustainable sourcing, procurement policies, sustainability / legal verification contracts, information availability and tools, fisheries and aquaculture improvement opportunities and emerging opportunities and challenges.
• Work with major buyer partners to devise a clear sustainability strategy and practical commitments.
• Liaise between major buyer partners and SFP's systems team to help partners to implement Sustainable Seafood Metrics Systems, including scorecards and dashboards that help them measure and manage their sustainability strategy.
• Work with SFP's technical teams to provide major buyer partners and their suppliers with information on improvement needs in marine conservation, fisheries management and fisheries policy. 

Communications and Capacity Building 

• Work with SFP's knowledge management team to capture lessons learned and make them public.
• Work with SFP's communications team to ensure key stakeholders, such as NGOs and the catch sector, are regularly and accurately updated on SFP's buyer engagement work.
• Work with SFP fundraising team to identify grant or sponsorship prospects in Europe and to report back on any grant-related work. 
• Work closely with SFP Fishery and Aquaculture Improvement teams to understand their projects and be able to facilitate buyer engagement in their efforts as needed. 
• Manage European improvement projects when necessary.
• Attend and help organize seafood shows, sustainability conferences and other events as necessary to engage buyers, explain SFPs work to stakeholders, and share lessons learned. 

Qualifications 

Essential Qualifications & Skills 

• Bachelor's degree in marine science, business or related field and minimum 5 years experience working in or with the seafood industry.
• Excellent oral and written English with preference given for bilingual skills.
• Excellent communication, organization and time management skills. 
• Demonstratable experience in project management and fund development. 
• Experience working internationally. 
• Ability to work in a flexible, informal environment, and to take the initiative and work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Ability and willingness to work outside of regular office hours when necessary.
• Willing to spend approximately 30-40% of his/her time outside his/her home base, although the amount of travel will vary based on workload. 

Desired Qualification & Skills 

• Experience in a customer service/sales position.
• Experience with CRM systems. 
• Knowledge of fisheries policy/management in the EU.
• Knowledge of fisheries and innovation funding mechanisms in the EU.
• Outgoing, diplomatic and well presented for external audiences.
• Experience working remotely. 

To Apply 

• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking below: "Apply Now Online!" to send a resume/CV, letter of interest (no more than 1 pg) and salary expectations.
• Be sure to indicate "Buyer Engagement Manager, Europe."
• All inquiries will be kept in the strictest confidence.