Chain of Custody

Term from Forestry Management industry explained for recruiters

Chain of Custody (CoC) is a tracking system used in forestry and wood products industries to follow wood and paper products from the forest to the final customer. It's like a product passport that proves the materials came from responsibly managed forests. When you see this term on a resume, it means the person has experience with tracking and documenting wood products through their journey from forest to final product, ensuring they meet environmental and sustainability standards like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).

Examples in Resumes

Managed Chain of Custody certification process for 50,000 acres of forest land

Implemented Chain of Custody tracking systems for lumber processing facility

Conducted internal audits of Chain of Custody documentation and procedures

Trained staff on CoC compliance and certification requirements

Typical job title: "Chain of Custody Managers"

Also try searching for:

Certification Manager Forest Products Coordinator Sustainability Manager Quality Assurance Manager Compliance Officer Forest Certification Specialist Wood Products Traceability Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you implement a Chain of Custody system in a large forestry operation?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating comprehensive tracking procedures, training programs, documentation systems, and methods for ensuring compliance across multiple facilities or operations. Should mention experience with certification bodies and audit preparation.

Q: How do you handle non-conformities in Chain of Custody certification?

Expected Answer: Should explain process of identifying issues, implementing corrective actions, documenting changes, and preventing future occurrences. Should demonstrate knowledge of working with auditors and certification bodies.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What documentation is required for Chain of Custody certification?

Expected Answer: Should be able to list main documents like training records, volume summaries, supplier verification, and sales documentation. Should understand record-keeping requirements and retention periods.

Q: How do you ensure proper product segregation in Chain of Custody?

Expected Answer: Should explain methods for keeping certified and non-certified products separate, labeling systems, and inventory tracking procedures.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is Chain of Custody and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic concept of tracking wood products from forest to consumer, importance for sustainability certification, and basic documentation requirements.

Q: What are the main certification systems used in forestry?

Expected Answer: Should identify major systems like FSC and PEFC, understand basic differences between them, and know their importance in the industry.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of certification requirements
  • Document filing and organization
  • Data entry and record keeping
  • Basic quality control checks

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Internal audit procedures
  • Staff training on CoC procedures
  • Certification maintenance
  • Supplier verification processes

Senior (5+ years)

  • System implementation and improvement
  • External audit management
  • Multi-site certification coordination
  • Policy development and strategic planning

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of major forest certification systems
  • Lack of experience with documentation and record keeping
  • Poor understanding of traceability requirements
  • No experience with quality control or auditing