Head of Sustainability

Job Description

The role - Executive SummaryThe Head of Sustainability role is based within our Corporate Relations Department and reports to our Corporate Relations Director and via our Group Customer Strategy & Planning Director ultimately into our Chief Commercial Officer. The role has two currentdirect reports and while this is likely to extend further, our approach is to embed sustainability into multiple functions, so the role requires an individual with strong communication and influencing skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate.Head of Sustainability will have substantial internal liaison across many functions within the business - particularly Procurement, Technical, HR, Marketing, Sales, Commercial and Legal - and liaison with Board members to guide strategy development and alsofor ESG workstream management and performance.Frequent communication with customers, trade bodies, NGOs and industry experts will also be required therefore the ability to form strong relationships, speak with authority and confidence while being ready to listen and learn is essential. The job holderwill be required to represent the company publicly on sustainability matters and will support external communications and media management with the CR Director and retained Public Relations agencies.The requirement for considerable customer and other stakeholder contacts means travel both in the UK and abroad will be required periodically.Top Line Responsibilities

• Leading our sustainability strategy development, overseeing implementation of the strategy using existing processes, systems and tools and identifying improvement areas to meet future needs. Reporting on progress and key milestones.
• Working with CR Director on internal/external sustainability and related ESG communications for multiple audiences.
• Horizon scanning and ensuring our strategy meets current and future needs and delivers against the company mission of "not costing the earth".
• Preparation for and leading specific ESG update meetings ; ensuring all ESG workstreams are performing to plan; leading or co leading specific ESG workstreams.
• Ensuring all investment into sustainability initiatives within budget and delivers a tangible benefit to our business.

In more detail

• Oversee progress and effectiveness of eight distinct ESG workstreams (Governance & Reporting, Human Rights, People Excellence, Climate Change (Scopes 1&2), Sustainable Supply Chains (Raw Materials and Scope 3), Food Waste, Circular Economy and Nutrition)and actively lead the direction of some of these workstreams as Chair or support.
• As our sustainability expert, shape our path to becoming a Net Zero business and achievement of Science Based Targets on a 1.5-degree pathway and embed this with the CR team into relevant business wide teams.
• With key department leads, review and reset our sustainability and wider ESG strategy including reviewing progress against current and identifying new short- and long-term goals.
• Ensure through your networks and knowledge that we have appropriate aspirations for our brands, customers and consumers, and we are responding appropriately to emerging trends, legislation, new risks and opportunities.
• Review and improve our processes in relation to sustainability related reporting and engagement with customers, NGOs and all relevant legislative requirements.
• With the CR Director and CR team, maintain and further develop our strong relationships with a range of customers, suppliers, trade bodies’, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.
• Work with the Ethical Trade Manager and CR team to support our ethical trading and human rights related policies and standards and effectiveness identifying improvement areas.
• With the CR Director, other colleagues and external advisors, maintain a strong and effective internal and external suite of sustainability related communications, building knowledge and capacity internally and effectively communicating our progress externally.This will include an expectation you will personally play an active role in public communication of sustainability on behalf of the Group.

About you - your knowledge, skills & experienceIdeally you will have :

• Degree level qualification, ideally in Sustainability Management, Environmental Science or similar.
• Demonstrable experience of setting and delivering against sustainability or ESG targets, ideally within a FMCG environment.
• Experience in the application of ethical trade and human rights principles and industry standards and the application of relevant environmental issues within a FMCG environment.
• IEMA Membership or Associate status and / or Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) membership
• Institute of Environmental Sciences (CEnv) qualification
• Proven ability to successfully engage with key stakeholders, to have strong influencing skills, the ability to work as part of a several cross functional teams, interacting with and advising senior personnel at all levels of the business.
• Strong understanding of commerciality, influence and risk.
• Experience as a champion and promoter of Diversity and Inclusion
• The ability to take a proactive approach and set a strategic, realistic direction for supply chain management issues.
• The ability to absorb complex issues and provide clear summaries and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Experience in setting KPIs and SMART targets and using data in order to set targets and strategy.
• Excellent communication, organisational, planning and presenting skills, with strong attention to detail.