Sustainable Food System Director

THE OATLY WAY
Oatly is a company built on the idea of change. Our mission is to help people upgrade their everyday lives and the health of the planet by making tasteful oat-based food products accessible to a wider audience in a world-class manner. It's why we come to work every day. With head office in Malmö and production in Sweden, Netherlands and the US, our products are available in almost 30 countries across Europe, North America and Asia.



The mission is to spearhead Oatly’s sustainable farming work and develop the system to guide the “Food System Shift” pillar of the Sustainability Plan. Serve as business partner to the Supply function teams that are implementing the Pillar, primarily Sourcing, with some partnership with Innovation and Research.
The role reports to Chief Sustainability Officer at Oatly.

In essence the role contains the following objectives and responsibilities:

- Develop the system to guide the Food System Shift pillar of Oatly´s sustainability work
- Develop a model and long-term roadmap for Oatly Restoration Farming (informed by research, evidence and piloting in Sweden, U.S. and eventually farmer projects in other markets)
- Develop a system for implementing, measuring, and tracking Oatly’s progress toward the Sustainability goals to cut the carbon footprint of oats/ingredients and to give back to nature and communities (through biodiversity, carbon sequestration, farmer income, etc.)
- Expert advice or guidance for action plans, led by Sourcing or Innovation, to reduce sustainability impacts of oats and other raw materials, and advising corrective action when off target
- Lead and manage a small team of sustainability experts, in a modern organizational structure with cross-functional, collaborative workflow
- Support and set expectations on capability to bring out the best of the competencies and skills in the team, helping people thrive. Focus on change management, inclusion, and team management
- Provide support and input into the communications, commercial, and creative teams on how to best articulate Oatly sustainability value and approach
- Lead engagement with cross-cutting sustainability stakeholders (employees, suppliers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations - NGOs, etc.)
- Budget and Performance Accountability


Candidate profile
As the Sustainable Food System Director, you will have a key position at Oatly working towards a more sustainable future. You are an important stakeholder to the Supply organization. You have a background from various international Sustainability roles working with agriculture as a senior level Director. Furthermore, you are driven and motivated by drive the sustainability agenda and collaborate with different stakeholders, both externally and internally.

Requirements:

- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including excellent leadership skills and knowledge of procurement and supply chain
- Knowledge of modern agricultural methods and farming practices
- At least 3-5 years of experience directly managing a team
- MSc in Environmental Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainability or other relevant degree
- Fluent in English verbally and written


Meriting

- Knowledge of plant-based farming systems and frontline research within sustainable farming practices focusing on sustainable system approach rather than sustainable intensification

- Knowledge and understanding of important metrics will include Global GHG Emissions Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
- Knowledge of certification schemes of raw materials
- Fluent in Swedish verbally and written


Personal characteristics

- Passionate about food and sustainability
- Analytic, holistic and structured approach with an innovative mindset
- High emotional intelligence and empathy skills
- Pragmatic, humble approach
- High level of social and communications skills, actively working closely with cross-functional global and regional teams and external stakeholders
- Agile in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment
- Authentic resonance with Oatly’s sustainability values and a commitment to working professionally to create meaningful change in the food and beverage industry
- Ability to plan and design strategic programs that achieve scale and impact


Location and travelling
The position can be based in Malmö, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Berlin or in London. May require approximately 25 % domestic and international travel.

Your application

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who see sustainability and health as important values. If you have the curiosity, passion and collaborative spirit, come work with us, and let’s do this together!

Can´t wait to meet you!