Chain of Custody Manager

The Forest Stewardship Council U.S. (FSC-US) is the independent National Office of FSC, the global leader in forest certification. FSC promotes responsible forest management by developing forest management and chain-of-custody standards, authorizing use of the FSC label on forest products, and by providing public education about FSC certification as a crucial market-based tool for ensuring that the world's forests are protected for future generations.

FSC is experiencing extraordinary growth in demand, and now represents an estimated 5% market share of U.S. forest products. FSC certified products, such as building materials, paper and furniture can now be purchased at a full range of major national retailers. Currently over 140 million acres of North American forestland are FSC-certified (355 million acres globally). Nearly 5,000 North American companies are certified under FSC's chain-of-custody standards (over 22,000 globally).

Position Overview:

The FSC-US seeks a highly motivated manager to oversee the FSC chain of custody (CoC) system in the United States. FSC's CoC system tracks FSC-certified material through the supply chain - from the forest to the consumer - including all stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution.

This full-time position, based at our Minneapolis headquarters, will manage the full range of national office activities supporting our CoC system. The FSC CoC system ensures FSC-certified products sold throughout the supply chain and to end users come from only FSC eligible inputs based on the transfer, percentage, and/or credit systems. Creating efficient, business-friendly tools that both increase trade in FSC-certified products and maintain the integrity of the certification system is critical to the continued success of the FSC. With the U.S. representing 25% of forest products demand worldwide, successful implementation will have positive impacts across the U.S., North America, and internationally.

The Chain of Custody Manager will engage with FSC-International regarding FSC CoC-related policies and standards, develop and coordinate sector-specific guidance documents and training modules, and engage with current and potential FSC CoC certificate holders to ensure consistency and understanding throughout the certification process.

Responsibilities:

The Chain of Custody Manager will be responsible for all day-to-day activities related to the FSC CoC certification program and report to the President. The successful applicant must be able to work independently and as part of the national team of FSC-US staff, and be exceptionally skilled in serving FSC's stakeholders.

The ideal candidate should possess excellent analytical skills and ideally have certification and/or compliance experience, as well as a passion for forest conservation. They should be ambitious and highly self-motivated, with a team-focused spirit and the motivation to help build the capacity and reach of this quickly growing organization.

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Engage with current and potential FSC CoC certificate holders and other stakeholders to ensure integrity within the CoC system.
• Coordinate and develop sector-specific guidance documents and training modules.
• Engage with FSC-US key accounts relating to their supply chain and the CoC certification process.
• Engage with FSC-International and other National Offices regarding FSC CoC-related policies and standards.
• Assist and support FSC US regional staff with market linkages and network development.
• Assist with potential trademark fraud investigations.
• Represent FSC-US at virtual and actual in-person events.
• Other tasks as requested by management.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree and at least 3-5 years of related experience in chain of custody certification, forest products, or related similar industries.
• Comprehensive understanding of chain of custody certification, trademark usage, or other compliance related fields.
• Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects.
• Proven organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, ability to organize time, manage diverse activities, and meet deadlines, and flexibility to changing situations and priorities.
• A customer service mindset, including the ability to be courteous, personable, and tactful when dealing with FSC's full range of stakeholders.
• Practice an individual commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in the workplace.

Compensation: Compensation for this position is commensurate with experience. FSC-US has a competitive benefits package and 403b plan.

Deadline: Applications are accepted through May 14, 2012.

To Apply:

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, writing samples and/or portfolio to Lori Knosalla, FSC-US.

Please reference "Chain of Custody Manager" in the subject line.