Project Manager, Regenerative Agriculture - NAM

Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. is hiring a Project Manager for Regenerative Agriculture in North America, based in Wilton, CT. The role involves leading projects for grains and oilseeds, coordinating with growers and external teams, and developing innovative programs to promote regenerative agriculture. Responsibilities include managing budgets, engaging with partners, and implementing marketing plans. The position requires significant time spent in the office and on-site with farmers.
Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 17,000 people globally.

Job Description

As Regenerative Agriculture G&O Program Manager in North America, you will drive Regenerative Agriculture projects design and development for grains and oilseeds, from engagement with downstream customers, originators, growers, and field project implementers. You will report to the NORAM Head of Regenerative Agriculture.

Responsibilities include:
• Project Manager:
Lead the day-to-day field program activities of LDC’s North American Regen Ag & Carbon Programs for grains and oilseeds in alignment with recognized carbon methodologies and standards in agriculture.
• Coordination with external field deployment teams to engage growers, capture data, analyze information, and ensure timely delivery of key goals and targets.

Designing, developing, supporting, and driving practical innovations and programmes to promote regenerative agriculture, including all the relevant KPIs, in partnership with the grains and Oilseeds platform leads.

Leading and engaging with internal and external partners to develop regenerative initiatives lab orating closely with focal points across the range of sustainability topics, to develop holistic approaches that positively impact multiple sustainability goals and programmes. Build the value proposition and offtake contracts conditions for downstream customers engaged in regen ag collaboration.

Developing RA business cases for a diversity of growers archetypes. Define growers' value proposition and engagement plan to secure access to growers into regen ag projects. This includes designing farmers' incentives programs, leveraging relevant regulations opportunities.

Implement RA projects, measurement, management, and monitoring, working in close collaboration with both the sustainability and carbon teams, with the support of dedicated field partners.

Work in close collaboration with our partner The Nature Conservancy, as well as independent agencies to identify funding opportunities from public or private funding initiatives, apply, and report progress to funders.

Manage, follow, and report Regen ag G&O projects budget and P&L.

Implement the marketing and communication plans for regen ag G&O program in NORAM, in line with the global regen ag marketing and communication plans.

Acting as an internal focal point and resource for G&O regenerative agriculture program.

Representing LDC in relevant stakeholder meetings and industry forums.

There will be a requirement to spend significant periods in and around the offices of the G&O platform, as well as farmer and downstream visits. Building a knowledge of LDC culture and goals is a prerequisite.

LDC is a team-oriented company so clear communication and alignment across our platforms is essential.

Experience

Education: Master degree in agriculture, environmental sciences, possibly sustainability or economic sciences if combined with a strong experience in a field related to agriculture production.

Experience:
• Minimum 10 years of project management experience with carbon or regenerative agriculture field programs in a fast-moving company.

Strong track record in multi-stakeholder and cross-functional project and program management.

Minimum 5 years in a role interfacing with the agriculture sector (farm services, input supply, procurement in agriculture product, agronomic firm…).

Can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of farmers' profiles, needs, ways of working, and culture.

Familiar with food and/or textile CPGs sustainability functions, commitments, and ways of working.

Extremely neat, organized personality.

Analytic mind, at ease with numbers, budget, and financing.

Good knowledge of NORAM market landscape in the field of regenerative agriculture.

Passionate about…