Careers at Rainforest Alliance

Position summary:
The Technology department is responsible for the Development, Realization and Implementation of the strategic Digital Product Roadmap for Rainforest Alliance (including all supporting Technology processes), for all Global Business Initiatives and Assurance programs. Information Office is one of the four teams under Technology Department.

It’s responsible for planning and leading implementation of leading technology ecosystem that will enable achievement of the 2030 strategy. Ensure alignment of technology investment and initiatives with the business goals, requirements and expectations and ensure optimal utilization of investments in technology and delivery of services by the technology vendors across the organization.

Operating within the Information Office, the 'Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture' team focuses on aligning digital strategy and technology architecture with organizational objectives, fostering innovation, and maximizing the efficiency of digital solutions. As the Manager, Platform Architect, you play a central leadership role within this team, supervising individuals dedicated to platform architecture. Your responsibilities encompass orchestrating seamless platform architecture strategies, leveraging advanced technologies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align platform solutions with the broader digital and technological vision. Your leadership contributes significantly to the team's success by providing expertise in upgrading technologies, overseeing API landscapes, and ensuring the integrity and efficiency of data flows across various systems.

In addition to your leadership responsibilities, your role involves strategic platform architecture, ensuring the team's technological expertise, overseeing the API landscape, supporting system development, fostering innovation, and continuous learning. You lead and develop a team of platform architects, guiding them to stay current with the latest advancements in upgrading technologies. Your strategic thinking aligns platform architecture with broader organizational goals, and you foster collaboration and effective communication across diverse teams.

Join us as a Manager, Platform Architect at Rainforest Alliance, where your leadership and expertise in platform architecture will be instrumental in driving the success of our Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture team.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide strong leadership to a team of platform architects, fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.
• Guide and mentor team members to ensure alignment with organizational goals and individual professional development.
• Develop and implement comprehensive platform architecture strategies aligned with organizational objectives and the 2030
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of platform solutions, considering scalability, security, and efficiency.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of upgrading technologies and guide the team in staying abreast of the latest advancements.
• Utilize proficiency in various programming languages to enhance platform capabilities and drive continuous improvement (Outsystems or MS Azure is a pre)
• Oversee and manage the API landscape, ensuring optimal performance and security for platform solutions.
• Work closely with database and system administration teams to support platform development initiatives
• Contribute to the resolution of platform-related issues and challenges, ensuring smooth development and deployment.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends, applying this knowledge to enhance platform solutions.
• Actively participate in continuous learning and development initiatives for the team, fostering a culture of innovation.
• Provide insights and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of platform solutions.
• Foster strong collaborative skills, promoting effective communication across diverse teams within the Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture team and beyond.
• Facilitate clear and concise communication to ensure all stakeholders are well-informed about platform architecture initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of effective problem-solving strategies and plans.
• Possess and demonstrate a sound knowledge of current technologies, especially in the context of platform architecture (Outsystems or MS Azure is pre)
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and insights on technological trends and their application to platform solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering or related field (Master’s degree preferred); 
• Proven experience in leadership and team management, with a track record of fostering collaboration and driving results (3+)
• Demonstrated expertise in platform architecture, with a focus on strategic planning and implementation aligned with organizational goals.
• In-depth knowledge of current technologies and programming languages relevant to platform architecture (Outsystems & Azure are pre).
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification.
• SAFe Agilist (SA) or equivalent certification showcasing expertise in scaling Agile principles.
• Proven experience in overseeing and managing API landscapes, ensuring optimal performance and security.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, staying informed about emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Ability to exhibit strategic thinking and align platform architecture with broader organizational goals.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Track record of fostering innovation within a team or organization, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of digital solutions.
• 3+ years of experience in a role related to platform architecture, with a proven record of successful project delivery.
• Certifications related to cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect) demonstrating proficiency in cloud-based architecture
• Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) or equivalent certification showcasing proficiency in Agile project management
• Understanding and ability to practice Lean principles for optimizing processes and driving continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of the Enterprise Architecture design process;
• Fully fluent in English; Spanish is a plus. 
• Strong experience with data architecture and application architecture

go to method of application »

Position summary:

The Rainforest Alliance is looking for a performance oriented, data driven, and collaborative Senior Product Owner responsible for the implementation and continuous optimisation of the organizational capability to deliver multiple digitally enabled business services. The Senior Products Owner will be part of our global Engagement, Supply Chain team.

These digitally enabled business services could be for internal use by Rainforest Alliance employees and/or external use such as members or certification bodies. Examples of external services are member registration, licensing, traceability and certification body management. An example of an internal service is the digital workplace.

Responsibilities: 

• The Rainforest Alliance’s Core Values are Impact, Change, Collaboration, Openness and Trust and as such they form the basis of the behaviours we demonstrate;
• Ensure digitally enabled business services of the Rainforest Alliance are relevant, user-friendly and deliver value to our customers, members and staff;
• Rainforest Alliance is currently replacing its Certification and Assurance software with third party software solutions in combination with mobile applications. As a Product Owner, you are responsible for setting, prioritizing, and evaluating the work to replace the current software and manage the Certification Technology Eco system
• Lead the product roadmap providing for a set of products, indicating when new product features are planned for delivery
• Work with the portfolio director on defining the product roadmap and share results with  the stakeholders;
• Develop with the Product manager an engagement plan
• Manage expectations of and maintain good relationships with all the stakeholders involved in creating and delivering the services (technology, external service providers), as well as organisational architectural experts (e.g. process, solutions and data architects);
• Work with the release manager and stakeholders around the product implementation schedule and set priorities within the different product streams
• Assess impact of dashboard and communicate progress with senior stakeholders
• Promote design thinking, lean and agile ways of working
• Provide direction setting for a software development teams and / or configuration management teams
• Manage and develop staff

Delivery

Analyse business processes to optimise their efficiency / value delivery in close partnership with the business owners, enterprise architects and business process modellers as appropriate; Set priorities in the development of product with the product owners

• Assessment of Quality and fit for purpose configuration management plan, to be able to implement new software solutions
• Create the more complex prototype mock-ups, or guides design team in their creation;
• Translate complex IT solutions into digestible concepts for business stakeholders, and complex business process into functional IT designs;
• Discuss technical challenges of IT solution with the Development Team;
• Coordinate the prioritisation of delivery steps, and develop detailed planning in partnership with project managers, business owners and delivery partners;
• Write, or guide creation of acceptance criteria and acceptance tests as part of user stories;
• Manage the ongoing backlog of updates. 

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree, preferably in supply chain management, business administration or a technical field.
• At least 10 years’ work experience and 5+ years experience as a Product Owner
• Knowledge of MS Office and proficient in Excel;
• Deep understanding of Lean principles, thinking and methods; Scrum way of working, Design thinking;
• Experience with Certification management systems and / or processes, preferably in an agricultural settings.  Activities include member registration, certification against global standards and Certification body management.
• Experience working in a global, culturally diverse team is essential;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals; 
• Results-driven, accurate, structured and good analytical and communication skills; 
• Team & Relationship Building: Building and maintaining (internal and external) contacts that are useful. Builds trust, rapport and cooperation with persons inside and outside RA; Works in partnership with other colleagues, responds to request for assistance respectfully and helpfully, contributes to team environment and supportive workplace and;
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written. French and/or Spanish is a plus.
• Experience with managing staff

go to method of application »

Position Summary:

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Look no further! Rainforest Alliance is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Program Manager to join our exceptional team. As a Program Manager, you will play a crucial role in leading all aspects of and managing our IT projects, ensuring their successful implementation and delivery.

As a world-class organization committed to sustainability and environmental conservation, Rainforest Alliance offers a unique opportunity for individuals who are passionate about making a difference.

Responsibilities:

• Successfully manage and lead all aspects of a portfolio of IT data projects and programs, ensuring flawless execution and timely delivery
• Accountable for relevant initiative level planning and alignment, data-based forecasting, reporting, identifying and resolving program level risks and blockers
• Support IT and data program roadmap development, tracking delivery across initiatives, dependencies across the extended organization and maintaining consistency of approach and a clear governance framework
• Coordinating testing and program quality assurance of the developed product and release to customers, e.g. readiness decisions and post release retro / lessons learnt discussions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to determine project scope, objectives, and deliverables
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the Product, Technology & Domain Leads collaborating with them to deliver business and customer value

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Proven track record of at least 8 years in in leading IT programs and program management
• At least 3 years of management experience in an international IT environment.
• Demonstrated experience in IT strategic program development and implementation.
• Strong experience with both commercial make and buy software development (SLDC), and offshore supplier management; using Agile methodologies such as SAFe
• Knowledge of emerging technology trends such as LLM / AI, and their practical implementation are a major plus
• A solid background in data orientated program delivery, data lake warehouse formation a major plus
• Strong project and program management skills with an emphasis on delivering a portfolio of diverse date, software and technology vendors programs, professional certifications such as PMP expected
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experienced people manager with a proven ability to coach, supervise and motivatestaff, ideally through continuous transformation
• Familiarity with environmental and sustainability issues is a plus.