Forestry Chain of Custody Auditor

About the role

Do you have a passion for forestry and sustainability? Do you enjoy combining technical expertise, client engagement, and project management to support responsible supply chains? If so, you may be the right fit for our Forestry Chain of Custody Auditor position, supporting forestry certification services across the United States.

Location

Eastern U.S, preferably in the Eastern Seaboard area. As part of our Forestry team, you will help clients meet sustainability requirements and ensure certification activities are delivered efficiently, consistently and in accordance with Preferred by Nature standards and accreditation requirements. You will join an international, mission-driven organization dedicated to promoting responsible business practices that benefit people, nature and the climate.

What you can expect

• Support the delivery of forestry supply chain certification services including FSC, PEFC and SFI.
• Manage a portfolio of certified clients while ensuring our certification services maintain the highest standards of quality and customer service.
• Work closely with clients, auditors and colleagues, deepen your expertise in certification schemes, and contribute to Preferred by Nature's continued growth in North America.

Working with us

• The first year you can expect the following areas to be central to your work:
• - Manage a portfolio of certified clients across the United States, ensuring audits are scheduled, conducted and completed in a timely manner.
• - Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing technical support and guidance regarding certification requirements.
• - Conduct Chain of Custody audits on-site in accordance with FSC, PEFC and SFI standards.
• - Coordinate certification activities including project planning, budgeting, scheduling, logistics, auditor assignments and report review.
• - Ensure certification activities comply with Preferred by Nature quality standards, accreditation requirements and reporting metrics.
• - Collaborate with colleagues to identify opportunities to strengthen client relationships and expand certification services.
• - Continue developing expertise in forestry supply chain certification programmes and contribute to service growth initiatives.
• - Attend relevant meetings conducted by the CoC USC team, PBN Management, and any other applicable meetings. Ensure familiarity with and remain up to date on all materials and information presented during these meetings.
• - Carry out other relevant tasks assigned to support Preferred by Nature’s mission and organizational objectives.

Your first year with us

• Within three months, you will:
• - Complete onboarding and familiarize yourself with Preferred by Nature's mission and role. Receive on-the-job training to transition smoothly into your role as an auditor and task manager. If you don't have certification experience, we will provide the necessary training related to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Foresty Initiative) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) Standards and give you the skills needed to audit these schemes in accordance with our high-quality standards.
• - Participate in supervised audits as an observer or audit team member and/or Audit Team Leader, assisting with logistics, planning, and report preparation.
• - Develop working relationships within the North America Supply Chain team and begin supporting client enquiries.
• - Start managing your assigned client portfolio: Coordinate certification activities, including scheduling, auditor assignments, and project timelines.

• Within six months, you will:
• - Conduct Chain of Custody audits as Lead Auditor and Audit Team Member, with increasing independence while strengthening technical expertise and reporting capabilities and ensuring quality and compliance standards are met.
• - Continue managing your client portfolio.
• - Support clients in understanding certification requirements and provide day-to-day technical assistance.

• Within one year, you will:
• - Independently manage a portfolio of certification clients and oversee certification activities from planning through completion.
• - Conduct Chain of Custody audits as Lead Auditor and Audit Team Member, ensuring quality and compliance standards are met.
• - Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, service development, and knowledge sharing within the team.

Requirements

• Have post-secondary education plus at least two years of professional experience in forestry, forest products, sustainability certification or a related sector;
• OR
• Secondary education with four years of relevant professional experience.
• Have knowledge of FSC, PEFC, SFI or other sustainability certification schemes.
• Have previous auditing experience (preferred but not required).
• Possess strong project management, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service orientation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and independently.
• Be comfortable travelling up to 40% within the United States.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Be adaptable, collaborative and motivated to contribute to sustainability initiatives.
• Be comfortable working with digital tools, databases and reporting systems.

What Sets Us Apart

• A global work culture
• A high degree of flexibility - remote work, work from home.
• An in-depth onboarding and professional training that prepares you with the right skills and knowledge to thrive in this role.
• Excellent opportunities for growth and professional development
• A friendly, international team of colleagues, with a pleasant work environment
• 24 days of vacation leave per year

How to apply

If you feel you meet the requirements of the role, please submit your CV and cover letter (in English), including salary expectations by 20th July 2026 via the application form below.

About Preferred by Nature

Preferred by Nature is a non-profit organisation that works for sustainable land use and climate-friendly solutions. With 350+ staff around the world, our projects build capacity, raise awareness, conserve nature and streamline sustainability through innovation.