Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Certification Officer (Farming & Growing)

Soil Association
Bristol with hybrid working

Posted: 31 Mar 2025

Deadline: 13 Apr 2025

Compensation: £27,025 - £32,270 per annum

Living Wage employer Disability Confident scheme

Paid Full-time Permanent

Job description

About our Organisation

Soil Association Certification Ltd exists to accelerate the just transition across food, farming and land use, as a global leader in sustainability certification. We deliver trusted solutions with nature, for people and planet through the certification of high integrity holistic standards. These assurance schemes cover a wide range of sectors including food, forestry, farming, landscape restoration carbon markets, beauty and wellbeing, textiles and catering.

We are recognised and trusted by consumers and businesses around the world, operating in over 60 countries delivering FSC and PEFC certification, and you will also find the Soil Association organic symbol on over 70% of organic products in the UK.

Soil Association Certification is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Soil Association, formed in 1946, which is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation.

We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.

About the Opportunity

We are looking for a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring that farms and food producers meet our organic standards. Bringing your practical experience in farming you will understand the challenges and demands faced by farmers and growers. You will also have a solid understanding of organic farming principles, as well as the certification processes involved in maintaining industry standards. This is a dynamic role where you will engage directly with farmers, providing guidance and support throughout the certification process. Your excellent communication and customer service skills will help build strong relationships, ensuring compliance while also offering practical advice to businesses seeking certification. If you are passionate about organic farming, have a keen eye for detail, and enjoy working with people to uphold the integrity of food and farming standards, we would love to hear from you.

About You

The ideal candidate will be a proactive and adaptable individual with a strong background in farming, growing, or agricultural certification. You will be educated to degree level in an agricultural or related subject, or have equivalent experience that demonstrates your expertise in the industry. Your practical experience—ideally with livestock—will allow you to relate to farmers and provide informed, practical guidance. You will be able to engage confidently with farmers, growers, and industry stakeholders. Strong verbal and written communication skills will be key, as you will need to explain complex certification requirements clearly, offer solutions, and maintain productive working relationships. You will be required to handle documentation, manage data, and communicate effectively through digital platforms. You will have a confident and customer-focused approach to service delivery, ensuring that farmers & growers receive the support they need to meet certification standards.

Our Benefits

We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service
• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce
• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce

Hours

37.5 hours per week

Permanent

Location

Bristol with hybrid working (40% office based)

Application information

Please apply at https://soilassociation.octo-firstclass.co.uk/candidates/account/login/189883?aisId=12&rmId=3181

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