Application Guide

How to Apply for Sales Development Associate

at EcoVadis

🏢 About EcoVadis

EcoVadis is unique as a leader in providing sustainability ratings for global supply chains, helping major corporations measure and improve their environmental and social impact. Working here means contributing directly to making global business more sustainable and ethical, which is increasingly critical in today's corporate landscape.

About This Role

As a Sales Development Associate at EcoVadis, you'll be the frontline in identifying and engaging senior executives at Global 500 companies to educate them on sustainability's business value and generate qualified leads for Account Executives. This role is impactful because you directly fuel revenue growth while advancing corporate sustainability practices worldwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves researching Global 500 companies' sustainability gaps, personalizing 30+ email/LinkedIn outreaches to procurement leaders, conducting 10-15 discovery calls to educate executives on sustainability ratings, and collaborating with account executives to hand off qualified meetings. You'll use CRM tools to track pipeline growth while staying updated on sustainability trends.

🎯 Who EcoVadis Is Looking For

  • A self-starter who thrives in remote settings and consistently initiates outreach (50+ emails/calls weekly) without supervision
  • Someone genuinely passionate about sustainability who can articulate its business case to skeptical executives
  • A relationship-builder skilled at engaging C-suite/procurement leaders via LinkedIn and tailored communications
  • A team player who excels in structured environments with data-driven processes and collaborative sales teams

📝 Tips for Applying to EcoVadis

1

Quantify any past outreach metrics (e.g., 'generated 20 qualified meetings monthly via 300+ emails/calls') to demonstrate activity volume capability

2

Highlight specific sustainability knowledge or experience, even if informal (e.g., volunteering, coursework, personal projects)

3

Mention familiarity with supply chain/procurement terminology, as you'll target executives in these functions

4

Show remote work discipline by describing your home office setup and time management strategies

5

Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'pipeline growth,' 'target accounts,' and 'discovery conversations'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your motivation for advancing sustainability in business, not just sales', 'Specific examples of initiating relationships with senior stakeholders', 'How you maintain high activity volume in remote settings', "Understanding of EcoVadis's unique value proposition for Global 500 supply chains"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • EcoVadis's specific rating pillars (environment, labor, ethics, sustainable procurement)
  • Recent press releases about major client wins (e.g., Amazon, Johnson & Johnson partnerships)
  • The company's 'Together for Sustainability' initiative and industry partnerships
  • How sustainability ratings impact supply chain management and procurement decisions

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach a senior procurement executive skeptical about sustainability ROI?
2 Describe your process for managing 50+ outreach activities daily across email, phone, and LinkedIn
3 What do you know about EcoVadis's rating methodology and key competitors?
4 How do you prioritize target accounts and personalize outreach at scale?
5 Share an example of collaborating with account executives to qualify leads effectively
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic applications that don't mention sustainability or supply chain relevance
  • Focusing only on sales metrics without demonstrating purpose-driven motivation
  • Inability to describe remote work discipline or structured outreach processes

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to EcoVadis!