Better Cotton Initiative Supply Chain Manager

The Better Cotton Initiative is looking for a Supply Chain Manager to drive the pull through of Better Cotton throughout the supply chain. S/he will work closely with all supply chain actors to ensure that Better Cotton is being properly tracked and traced from farm to retailers, by well-trained supply chain actors leading to increased retailer uptake of Better Cotton and growing income for BCI.

Background

Cotton is one of the most important and widely grown crops in the world, and with more than 90% of cotton farmers living in developing countries, cotton production is fundamental to the livelihoods of millions of poor farmers and workers. However, current cotton growing methods need to change as they are placing unsustainable levels of stress on the environment and the people who produce it. Change means using fewer pesticides, managing water more efficiently, improving soil health and bio-diversity, enhancing fibre quality, and improving the welfare of farm workers.

BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future.

BCI works with a diverse range of stakeholders to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas.

BCI aims to transform cotton production worldwide by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.

BCI’s specific aims are to:

1.          Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production

2.         Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas

3.         Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout the supply chain

4.         Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative



Our Strategic Principles

·       BCI is focused on effecting change

·       BCI is firmly based on the traceability of Better Cotton

·       Credibility and the multi-stakeholder nature are crucial to BCI

·       Demand for Better Cotton is key to funding and influence

·       BCI enables evidence-based communication within a clear framework

·       BCI does not set a premium and pricing is a function of the market.

Job Description

The BCI Supply Chain Manager is responsible for ensuring that increasing amount of Better Cotton (from countries of direct operation (China, India, Pakistan) and partnership countries (Africa, Brazil, Turkey, US, Australia) is being pulled through the supply chain to enable BCI retailer/brand members to meet their procurement commitments, and to increase revenue from the future volume based fee on procurement to enable continued field-level investment and traceability system development the coming from the proposed volume based fee. This will involve creating market linkages, connecting supply and demand, by mapping retailer supply chains, training ginners, suppliers and manufacturers in the use of the BCI Traceability System (BTS) and Chain of Custody (CoC) Guidelines, and engaging with international and national traders to ensure the sustainable trade of Better Cotton. The BCI Supply Chain Manager is expected to work very closely with the Senior Program Manager of the Better Cotton Fast Track Programme based in India.