Head of Consultancy

About Meridia

Meridia is an AgTech company specialised in field data within complex smallholder-heavy agri-commodity supply chains such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber and soy.

Meridia Verify®, its flagship SaaS product, verifies supply chain field data in real time – and validates compliance with frameworks such as the EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation). With Verify, companies can reduce commercial and reputational risk, minimise supply chain disruption and accelerate evidence-based decision-making for strategic sourcing, procurement and trade.

Meridia’s mission is to improve the veracity of datasets driving decision making in global agri-commodity supply chains. Its purpose is to build transparent and inclusive supply chains that afford smallholders a level playing field.

The Role

This senior position is accountable for acquiring new consulting revenue and building Meridia’s consulting practice into a strong, global business line. The role requires a proven track record in both business development and project execution, particularly in generating new revenue streams from consulting assignments, partnerships and long-term client engagements.

You will lead and grow an international team of consultants and technical experts to deliver high-quality advisory projects. This includes developing winning proposals, designing smart concepts, delivering best-in-class execution and building strong collaborations with partners and clients.

Our current portfolio includes a diverse range of consultancy assignments and projects that often involve working in an international setting with teams in tropical countries such as Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Indonesia, India, Thailand and other areas. Some examples:

• Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for a large coffee agri-commodity trader, focussed on coffee farm mapping and EUDR-related field data processing, delivered in a series of trainings to client’s origin country teams in LatAm and Asia.
• Leading a collaborative program together with a large agri bank to guide and support cohorts of commodity traders and exporters in LatAm, Africa and Asia to become EUDR-ready.
• Supporting a large cocoa agri-commodity trader to support their field teams in West Africa to resolve field data quality issues through SOPs, decision trees, training and capacity building.
• Provide in-situ datasets as part of a consortium of remote sensing companies to develop a global model for commodity crop maps for EUDR competent authorities.
• Developing best practice guides for the remediation of noncompliant and illegal farming activity (e.g. farms in protected forests, farms with deforestation) to ensure smallholder farmers can maintain their livelihoods while initiating a process of nature restoration.
• Delivering large projects for one of the largest food companies in the world on data dashboards, farmer extension and field data collection.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Build and scale the Consulting department with a clear focus on revenue growth and client impact.
• Define and report on KPIs linked to revenue acquisition, project delivery and client satisfaction.
• Recruit, manage and inspire a global team of consultants and technical experts.
• Position Meridia as a thought leader in sustainability and agri-commodities consultancy.

Business development and partnerships

• Lead the acquisition of new consulting assignments, achieving consistent revenue growth.
• Build long-term relationships with senior stakeholders at corporates, development banks, NGOs and governments.
• Develop high-quality proposals, pitches and concepts that secure six figure consulting projects.
• Drive partnerships that enhance Meridia’s credibility and market presence.

Project Delivery

• Ensure successful execution and delivery of consulting projects, meeting client expectations on time and on budget.
• Manage financial oversight of consulting assignments, including profitability and resource allocation.
• Support teams in developing methodologies, frameworks and insights that distinguish Meridia’s consulting practice.

Collaboration and cross-functional work

• Work closely with Commercial, Product, Methodology, R&D departments and regional teams to align consulting work with Meridia’s broader strategy.
• Ensure consulting projects are leveraged for marketing, business development and product feedback

Innovation and Improvement

• Continuously strengthen Meridia’s consulting offerings by integrating industry trends, regulations and client needs.
• Contribute to the design of strategic materials, publications and guides that position Meridia as a trusted advisor.

Experience

• At least 10 years of professional experience, including 5+ years in a managerial role.
• Proven track record of acquiring a significant amount of project or consulting business.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the sustainability sector.
• Experience in agricultural commodities sector is a strong plus.
• Experience leading and managing international consulting or project teams to deliver complex assignments.
• Strong history of concept development, partnership building and proposal writing.

Skills

• Exceptional business development and revenue generation skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching and people management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging senior clients and stakeholders.
• Analytical and strategic thinker, able to design concepts and frameworks that win business.
• Proficiency with project management tools, customer relationship management tools and data analytics platforms.

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial mindset with resilience to build and scale a new business line.
• Results-driven, ambitious and motivated by revenue targets.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented, with a passion for building partnerships

The benefits package includes:

• Market rate salary
• Four-day work week
• 7% pension contribution
• Being part of a fast-growing impact venture with an informal, professional work culture
• A computer or laptop for work
• Engaging with team members, clients and users in various other countries
• A hybrid working position, with 2 out of 4 days at the Amsterdam office
• Office travel compensation
• Up to 5 weeks allowance of remote work per year
• Annual employee led Learning & Development budget

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to jobs@meridia.land for more information about this position.