We are hiring: Sustainability TechCoach

Who is Blue North Sustainability?

Blue North (www.bluenorth.co.za) is a purpose-driven consulting practice focused on agriculture and the food system. We are based in Stellenbosch and have an established position supporting farmers, exporters, importers and retailers across international agricultural and food supply-chains in the development and implementation of strategies and programs-of-change aimed at achieving lasting sustainability outcomes. We manage a portfolio of online applications that directly support proactive management of sustainability-related risks on farms and across supply-chains. One of these applications is the Sherpa sustainability management system (www.mysherpa.co.za).

We are a team of passionate sustainability practitioners committed to inspiring and supporting the deep change required to ensure our farming and food systems are truly sustainable. If this aligns with your own passions and interests, please read further.

What positions are we wanting to fill?

The adoption of Sherpa is expanding significantly. This is creating the need to strengthen our customer on-boarding and support services so that we can not only cope with these larger volumes but ensure that all our clients continue to enjoy only the most excellent service from Blue North. We have designed the Sherpa TechCoach role specifically to achieve this.

What are you going to do?

As a Sherpa TechCoach, you will be an integral part of the Sherpa Support Team and be in direct contact with our Sherpa users.  The role includes:

  • On-boarding new business units and clients onto the Sherpa platform
  • Training new business units and clients in Sherpa
  • Facilitating and supporting clients working in Sherpa
  • Setting up and configuring client profiles and business units in Sherpa
  • Scheduling and coordinating meetings, including on-boardings and trainings, remote and in-person engagements
  • Communication and coordination of activities with other Sherpa team members as needed
  • Supporting the broader Sherpa Support Team, including:
  • Providing user support, technical and tool content related support
  • Preparing on-boarding and training material
  • Generating reports including progress reports

What do we expect?

You will closely collaborate with and form part of the Blue North team that stands behind the Sherpa online management system. We are looking for an individual with the following attributes:

  • A genuine passion for sustainability with an appropriate level of understanding and knowledge of sustainability issues and solutions in primary production and the food industry.
  • BSc or MSc in a relevant field (including Ecology, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Engineering or Food Science)
  • Working experience in the agricultural, aquaculture, food processing or marine industries
  • Exposure to compliance and marketing of food products
  • Passion for learning and for developing knowledge
  • Adaptable, good time management and prioritisation skills, organisational skills
  • Analytical and numerical skills
  • Good communication and presentation skills
  • Drive to satisfy clients, conscientious, willing to go the extra mile
  • Ability to build long-term relationships
  • Problem solver
  • Team player
  • Ability to work independently, self-starter and initiative-taker
  • Comfortable in the use of IT platforms
  • Excellent English verbal and written skills
  • Based in Stellenbosch region or surrounds
  • Have a valid SA drivers’ license and own transport

What do we offer?

  • An opportunity to join a purpose-driven business
  • An opportunity to work with a dynamic team within a growing business
  • An international business environment working with a local & international client base and international technology partners.

Practicalities:

  • If this opportunity sparks your interest, please tell us why this is so, why you believe you have something to offer us and what specific attributes you could bring to our team. Please put this motivation in a cover letter together with your CV (please provide references).
  • Please submit your cover letter and CV (please provide references) to hello@bluenorth.co.za. with email subject ‘’Sherpa Tech-coach position’’
  • We reserve the right to only conduct interviews with candidates of choice
Please contact us ASAP if you are interested in this role.