Certification Manager

The Real Organic Project Certification Manager will support all aspects of Real Organic Project’s certification program. This will include managing farm applications and inspections along with actively working to recruit and reach out to new farms. The Certification Manager will spend a significant amount of time collaborating on the certification team to improve robust certification protocols and processes. Because we are a small organization everyone is expected to pitch in on all aspects of our certification and educational work. Successful candidates will need to be comfortable spending at least 20% of their time traveling - especially during the summer season.

Job Summary

Administration:

• Travel Schedules & Planning
  • Support role, templates with formulas to ensure efficiency and ease
• Email communication with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Assist in copy writing for emails and communications
• Monday.com champion

Certification

• Salesforce 40-50% of job
  • Detailed Account Tracking
  • Final Reviews (New & Renewal)
  • Assist with preliminary application review as needed
  • Assist with building out the forms/connectors; data collection architecture
• Co-manage/Implement recruitment methods including researching and creating new methods for recruitment
• Manage on farm media collection during farm visits
• In-person inspection of 30 farms
• Lead on many of our recruitment campaigns
• Certification goal setting, strategy and tactics to reach goals

Management and Outreach

• Education/Outreach as requested (guest lectures, speaking engagements at conferences)
• Managing staff and/or contract inspectors to ensure quality of reports and tracking/communicating inspection assignments.

This role is an excellent opportunity to work with a well respected organization to have a significant impact on the US Organic market. This position will be largely self directed and will provide the opportunity to continue to build out a program while working with a diverse group of stakeholders. Successful applicants will be able to match a passion for organic farming and food with experience working with a passionate team. This position reports directly to the Associate Director.

Basic qualifications

• Highly organized and strategic work ethic
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Working proficiency with a wide array of data management and online communication platforms: Apsona, Salesforce, Google Drive, Slack, Monday
• Knowledge of farm certification programs
• Previous experience working in a startup environment and/or an environment that requires significant independence and self motivation
• Ability to travel at most 20% of the time, especially during the summer months. Travel costs paid by Real Organic Project
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Comfort engaging with people with opinions that may differ from your point of view
• Valid driver's license to travel to farms and/or conferences

Strong preference will be given to candidates with in-depth farming, inspection and/or certification experience.

About Real Organic Project

Real Organic Project, a grassroots farmer-led non-profit, seeks a Certification Manager to join our team. Real Organic Project runs an add-on certification program for farmers committed to integrity within the certified organic system. We currently certify over 1000 farms in North America. We also organize a yearly symposium and undertake a large variety of consumer and farmer facing educational efforts. Whoever fills this position should feel passionate about creating change within the food system and working hard to support real organic farmers. We pride ourselves on being a small organization that gets big things done. This position is full time, salaried, and is a permanently 100% remote job.