Senior Associate, Sustainability & Mission

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made—creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Now, as part of Flowers Foods, we’re entering an exciting new phase of growth—expanding our reach, accelerating innovation, and amplifying brand awareness, all while preserving the integrity of what makes Simple Mills special. Our commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures that every bite is both delicious and nutritious. Whether it’s watermelon seed flour in our cookies or butternut squash in our crackers, we craft our products with innovative, wholesome ingredients that deliver extraordinary taste.

Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health, and NPR’s How I Built This. In 2024, Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.

Join us as we shape the future of food. Learn more at www.simplemills.com.

Role Description

The Senior Associate, Sustainability & Mission will play a critical role in supporting our mission of advancing human and planetary health. This position will report to the Head of Sustainability and will be responsible for managing various regenerative agriculture programs, coordinating climate tracking and reporting, supporting internal employee engagement related to human and planetary health, managing retailer sustainability surveys, and supporting various sustainability communications and research projects.  

Key responsibilities will include: 

Regenerative Agriculture Programs 

• Coordinate a subset of regenerative agriculture farmer engagement programs for our key ingredients. Manage multi-year partnerships with technical experts and ingredient suppliers. 

Retailer Reporting and Climate Tracking 

• Lead retailer sustainability survey responses and support other retailer sustainability engagements by partnering with Sales, Procurement, and the Sustainability & Mission team 

• Conduct annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory, collecting data from various teams, managing calculations, and leading the partnership with our data tracking software platform provider. Ensure that the data we use for the inventory are up to date with rapidly evolving industry methodologies; partner with suppliers and software provider to encourage the advancement of improved emissions factors for key ingredients 

• Analyze environmental impact data and present digestible information for diverse audiences to ensure that our sustainability approach is impactful and relevant. 

Internal Engagement  

• Facilitate the cross-functional People & Planet Ambassadors group, helping employees serve as liaisons for their functions and advance their teams’ human and planetary health initiatives.   

• Support employee People & Planet learning sessions by supporting selection of topics, coordinating external speakers, and event planning for in-person and virtual events.  

Communications and Events 

• Support Head of Sustainability and Marketing team to develop digestible, credible, and impactful sustainability messaging for external speaking events, media, social channels, and other contexts. 

• Support Marketing team to arrange events that highlight our mission, such as farm visits for influencers, and the Expo West trade show. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Support Procurement and Innovation teams to embed human and planetary health considerations into ingredient selection and product design. 

• Support Head of Sustainability in various projects and research assignments. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

• 2-3 Years work experience in sustainability, agriculture, climate action, or related field  
• Bachelor's degree required in a related field such as environmental science, biology, agricultural science, agricultural policy, sustainability, data analysis, or engineering.  
• Personal resonance with Simple Mills’ mission to advance human and planetary health through food, and a strong desire to improve the food system. 
• Experience with greenhouse gas impact tracking, including systems such as Life Cycle Assessment and Greenhouse Gas Inventories. 
• Interest in and experience with agricultural systems, e.g., through agricultural research, managing farmer engagement programs in a CPG context, or working on a farm. We highlight encourage candidates with farming experience to apply! 
• Commitment to continuously learn about and elevate to team the latest developments in environmental and nutrition science. 
• Ability to embrace an enterprise mindset, thoughtfully considering the goals of other teams while championing the importance of our mission 
• Strong business acumen and strategic approach to advancing sustainability initiatives within a for-profit context 
• Strong research skills and ability to substantiate claims using scientific journal articles.  
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint proficiency   
• Exceptional data storytelling skills and strong writing skills  
• Ability to quickly adapt to new contexts and fast-moving projects 
• Entrepreneurial, self-starter mindset with the ability to navigate ambiguity and creatively problem solve.   
• Strong sense of prioritization and de-prioritization amidst many competing tasks 

Working at Simple Mills

At Simple Mills, we’re not just building a brand, we’re leading a movement that’s transforming how food is made and enjoyed. If you’re passionate about purpose-driven work and crave a role where you can have a meaningful impact, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Why Join Us?

• Be a Change-Maker
  Play a key role in redefining the food industry, crafting products that nourish people and contribute to a healthier planet.

• Thrive in a Mission-Driven Community
  Work alongside a dynamic team of innovators and food lovers who are committed to positive change and bold ideas.

• A Workplace Where You Belong
  We foster an environment where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered. Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of our culture, ensuring that everyone can thrive.

• A Culture of Integrity and Impact
  We don’t just talk about doing good—we live it. Our team is committed to ethical practices, responsible sourcing, and making decisions that drive real, positive change.

• Grow with People-First Leadership
  Our supportive leadership team is dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and your long-term success
• Continuous Learning & Development
  Whether through hands-on training, innovative learning platforms, or career growth opportunities, we invest in your professional development.

At Simple Mills, you’ll have the chance to make an impact while working in a collaborative and inspiring environment. If you’re ready to shape the future of food, let’s talk.

Benefits

We recognize that our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we offer a highly competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, health, and overall quality of life. 

• Competitive Compensation: This role offers a salary range of $85,000 to $95,000
• Performance-Based Bonuses: Eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance, calculated at the end of the fiscal year.

• Comprehensive Health & Financial Benefits: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans, along with a 401(k) retirement plan to support your long-term financial security. 

• Work-Life Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom to thrive both professionally and personally with unlimited PTO, Live Full Fridays (where afternoons are yours to recharge), and a three-week sabbatical after five years of service, because we believe your best work happens when you have the time to rest and refocus.

• Health & Wellness Perks: Lifestyle stipends and exclusive product perks to enhance your well-being, because your health and happiness matter. 

We’re committed to taking care of our people, so you can focus on making an impact. 

Work Model at Simple Mills

Our work model is role-dependent, and team focused. With remote, hybrid, or in-office positions, each role is classified by what best supports the needs of the team.

• This position will be hybrid: a balance of in-person and virtual work. Hybrid employees will work from our Mill Valley, CA office at least once per week. When working remotely, employees must work from a designated location in the United States (the new hire’s permanent residence, as documented in our HR System, Rippling) with sufficient internet access to support video conferencing. Safety protocols in accordance with CDC recommendations are followed.

At Simple Mills, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and inclusion. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, past or present military service, physical or mental disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications. #LI-DNI

Simple Mills is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Simple Mills will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].