Head of Sustainability (Palm Oil & Agri-Ops)

A leading agricultural organisation is seeking a highly experienced Head of Sustainability to oversee its Indonesian operations, based in Jakarta with regional travel.

This pivotal position offers you the chance to shape and protect the sustainability agenda across an extensive network of estates and mills, ensuring that environmental and social commitments are met at every level. As the strategic successor to a respected incumbent, you will be entrusted with driving the 'Beyond Net Zero' roadmap while managing immediate certification priorities crucial to maintaining operational integrity. Reporting directly to the CEO (Indonesia) and collaborating closely with group-level sustainability leaders, your role will bridge corporate strategy and field execution, empowering a dedicated team of 70 professionals. If you are passionate about making a tangible impact on both people and planet, this opportunity provides a platform for meaningful influence, professional growth, and direct engagement with senior stakeholders.

• Shape the future of sustainability across 61 estates and 19 mills by leading a large-scale team committed to responsible agricultural practices and environmental stewardship.
• Enjoy significant exposure to board-level decision-making, working closely with executive leadership to drive ESG performance and talent capability throughout the organisation.
• Benefit from a role that balances strategic oversight in Jakarta with hands-on field presence, offering variety, challenge, and the chance to see your policies come to life on the ground.

What you'll do:

As Head of Sustainability – Agricultural Operations, you will play a central role in safeguarding the organisation’s license to operate by ensuring rigorous adherence to industry certifications and regulatory standards. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve balancing high-level strategic planning in Jakarta with immersive fieldwork across Indonesia’s diverse agricultural landscape. You will be instrumental in translating corporate sustainability goals into actionable plans that resonate at every operational level. By engaging regularly with government officials, regulatory agencies, and internal teams, you will ensure that all compliance requirements are met while fostering a culture of shared responsibility for environmental outcomes. Your ability to communicate complex ESG issues clearly to board members will be essential in shaping long-term strategies. Success in this role means not only meeting current certification demands but also building resilient systems that anticipate future challenges in sustainable agriculture.

• Take full ownership of RSPO and ISPO audit cycles, ensuring all certification requirements are met promptly and effectively to mitigate risks across the group.
• Oversee sustainability standards implementation across five regions, guaranteeing compliance from upstream farming activities through to downstream refining units.
• Act as the primary liaison for Indonesian government bodies and regulatory agencies, nurturing strong institutional relationships that support ongoing operations.
• Spend approximately two months per year travelling to remote plantation and mill sites, ensuring that sustainability policies are consistently implemented at every location.
• Provide regular updates and strategic counsel to the Board of Directors regarding ESG performance metrics and organisational talent development within sustainability functions.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a streamlined team of 70 professionals, fostering collaboration between corporate headquarters and field teams for seamless policy execution.
• Collaborate with C-suite executives and international group stakeholders to align local initiatives with global sustainability objectives.
• Identify emerging risks or opportunities related to environmental or social governance, proactively recommending solutions that enhance operational resilience.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by integrating best practices into daily operations and encouraging knowledge sharing among team members.

What you bring:

Your background demonstrates deep familiarity with the unique challenges facing Indonesia’s agricultural sector—particularly within palm oil or similar industries—enabling you to apply practical solutions grounded in real-world experience. You bring proven expertise in navigating complex certification landscapes while maintaining robust compliance frameworks under pressure. Your interpersonal strengths allow you to foster trust-based relationships both internally among your team members and externally with key institutional partners. As someone who thrives on collaboration, you excel at uniting diverse groups around common goals while supporting individual growth within your team. Your willingness to travel extensively reflects your commitment to seeing policies enacted where they matter most: on the ground. Above all, your maturity as a leader ensures that you approach each challenge thoughtfully, balancing immediate operational needs with long-term sustainability ambitions.

• Extensive experience within Palm Oil (Agri-Ops) is strongly preferred; senior backgrounds from Forestry or Pulp & Paper sectors will also be considered for their relevant expertise.
• Proven track record managing complex sustainability certifications such as RSPO or ISPO within large-scale audit environments is essential for this position.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large multi-disciplinary teams—including senior managers—with maturity, empathy, and a focus on high performance is required.
• Exceptional communication skills enabling you to engage confidently with C-suite executives as well as international group stakeholders are vital for success.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel frequently—including extended stays at remote plantation or mill sites—is necessary given the scope of operations.
• Deep understanding of operational realities in Indonesia’s agricultural sector ensures practical application of sustainability principles beyond reporting obligations.
• Experience building strong relationships with government bodies and regulatory agencies supports effective stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Ability to provide clear strategic counsel on ESG performance metrics enhances board-level decision-making processes.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of Indonesia’s largest integrated agribusinesses—renowned for its commitment to responsible production practices across an expansive footprint of estates and mills. With a forward-thinking approach anchored by ambitious 'Beyond Net Zero' targets, it offers employees the rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully toward national and global sustainability agendas. The company values transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement—providing access to advanced training resources alongside supportive leadership structures designed for personal development. Employees benefit from being part of an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and where impactful work is recognised at every level. The scale of operations ensures exposure to complex challenges while providing ample room for professional growth within a collaborative network dedicated to positive change.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a lasting difference in sustainable agriculture while advancing your career at the highest level, this is your moment—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; we look forward to learning how your expertise can help shape our journey towards greater environmental stewardship.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.