Ethical Trade & Human Rights Manager - Fresh Produce

Role: Ethical Trade & Human Rights Manager | Salary: up to £55k + excellent Benefits | Location: West Midlands

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Ethical Trade, Human Rights, Supplier Compliance or Responsible Sourcing professional looking for an opportunity to make a genuine impact across an international supply chain?

Our Fresh Produce client is looking for an Ethical Trade & Human Rights Manager to lead the delivery of ethical trade and human rights due diligence, ensuring the business remains compliant with legislation, customer requirements and industry standards.

Working closely with the Compliance, Technical, Procurement and Supply Chain teams, you will play a key role in identifying and managing ethical risks, strengthening supplier compliance and ensuring robust human rights standards are maintained throughout the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Ethical Trade & Human Rights: Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of ethical trade and human rights policies, procedures and risk assessment processes across fresh produce suppliers.

Risk Management: Identify ethical and human rights risks across the fresh produce supply chain and develop practical actions to mitigate and resolve potential issues.

Audit Management: Oversee third-party social and ethical audits, including SMETA, SIZA, SEDEX, WEITA and Rainforest Alliance, ensuring audits are completed accurately and within required timescales.

Non-Conformance: Track audit findings and ensure all non-conformances, corrective actions and critical issues are progressed and closed within agreed deadlines.

Supplier Performance: Monitor supplier compliance performance, identify recurring issues and work collaboratively with suppliers to deliver sustainable improvements.

Reporting & Data: Develop and maintain ethical compliance reporting, dashboards and KPIs, using data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.

Modern Slavery: Lead Modern Slavery initiatives and support the business in maintaining strong responsible sourcing and human rights practices.

Industry Engagement: Represent the business within relevant industry forums, working groups and collective action initiatives relating to ethical trade and human rights.

Supplier Compliance Support: Provide operational support to the wider Supplier Compliance function, including supplier approvals, documentation, due diligence and product integrity processes.

What You’ll Bring

Ethical Trade Experience: Strong knowledge of ethical trade, human rights legislation, responsible sourcing frameworks and ethical audit methodologies. At least 2 years experience working within the Fresh Produce Industry is essential.

Audit Experience: Proven experience managing social and ethical audits, supplier compliance programmes and corrective action plans.

Supply Chain Knowledge: Experience working with fresh produce suppliers and understanding ethical and compliance risks across complex supply chains.

Standards: Knowledge of SEDEX, SMETA and relevant responsible sourcing frameworks is highly desirable.

Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyse complex data, identify trends and communicate insights through clear reporting and dashboards.

Excel: Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to analyse large datasets and produce meaningful reports.

Why Apply?

Impact: Take ownership of a critical business function that directly influences worker welfare, human rights and responsible sourcing across the supply chain.

Responsibility: Lead the ethical trade and human rights agenda, working closely with senior stakeholders and suppliers.

Variety: A broad role covering ethical compliance, supplier due diligence, audits, risk management, human rights, modern slavery and reporting.

Purpose: Join a fresh produce business where ethical trade, human rights and responsible supply chains are central to its values and long-term strategy