Sustainability Lead

Westmill | part of Associated British Foods plc; Enfield; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ABF Pension Scheme

Annual Incentive Plan

Private Healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Extra Spice platform

Volunteering day

Holiday purchase option

Job summary

Westmill, part of Associated British Foods plc, is seeking a Sustainability Lead to drive strategy and compliance across our sites and supply chain from Enfield. You will manage supplier audits, data collection and ethical policies, ensuring alignment with retailers' requirements and SEDEX standards.

You will collaborate with Technical, Procurement and CR Leads to advance environmental and social objectives, delivering measurable improvements and engaging stakeholders globally.

Qualifications

• Energetic and driven with the ability to deliver results in a fast-moving team.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-cultural collaboration skills.
• Analytical thinker capable of turning data into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Lead ethical compliance and supplier due diligence under the Responsible Sourcing Policy.
• Coordinate audits, manage audit data, and close supplier non-compliances.
• Develop and report on sustainability initiatives across sites and supply chain.
• Engage with internal teams and external forums to advance Westmill's sustainability agenda.

Skills

Sustainability

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Audit coordination

Tools

SEDEX

MS Excel

Job description

We are proud of our heritage and position as one of Europe’s largest specialist food companies, manufacturing and supplying authentic global foods which serve the chefs and owners of restaurants and takeaways, as well as a diverse range of consumers. With a strong portfolio of leading brands including Lucky Boat, Elephant Atta, Rajah, Green Dragon and Patak’s, our product range is as diverse as the people who chose to work here, and includes noodles, flour, rice, spices, sauces and oils. We pride ourselves on our passion for food and people, where collaboration, diversity, and inclusion are integral in everything that we do. This is underpinned with our employee resource groups where members and allies help create an inclusive environment and special events are celebrated. Westmill is a place where no one feels like the new person for long and everyone has the chance to make a real difference to the business by being their authentic selves.

Overview Of Role

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about Sustainability, to lead the delivery and on-going development of Sustainability strategy across Westmill, to ensure it meets the needs of the business and key stakeholders. Reporting to the Director of People, Performance & Sustainability, you will be responsible for leading our compliance work, ensuring that suppliers meet our stringent requirements on sustainability, as well as managing our environmental impact across our sites and our supply chain. You will also support the delivery of wider sustainability initiatives across the business and abroad and represent Westmill at ethical trade forums, meetings and events as required.

Key Accountabilities

ETHICAL COMPLIANCE

• On-going management and maintenance of Westmill’s internal and external ethical databases, including SEDEX
• Adhering to ethical requirements from retailers
• Identifying and assessing our supply chain risks and providing high level advice on how to mitigate these
• Working with Technical and Procurement teams to approve suppliers and develop in depth supply chain ethical maps
• Scheduling ethical audits, managing audit data and closure of supplier non-compliances in alignment with the requirements of our Responsible Sourcing Policy. Providing input and assistance with our SEDEX audits at Trafford, Enfield and Selby
• Updating ethical policies (e.g. MSA, Human Rights) as required
• Staying up to date with legal developments, to improve the company's performance and supply chain relationships
• Engagement with CR Leads & Sustainability Manager at Grocery Group

SUPPORT COMMUNITIES

• Management of Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) project in Pakistan
• Management of sustainable livelihoods turmeric farmer project in India
• Management of stock redistribution to charity partners
• Support business with charitable activities e.g. volunteering scheme, fundraising

MINIMISE OUR IMPACT

• Annual reporting of food waste, GHG emissions & plastics pact numbers to WRAP.
• Data collection and management for packaging data to support with Plastic Tax and EPR, as well as managing retailer requests.
• Engage with individual sites to help deliver their specific sustainability plans.

Annual calculation of business’s Scope 3 Footprint in collaboration with Grocery Group and develop reduction strategy

The Right Person

We are looking for someone with energy, drive and the aptitude to work in a fast moving and dynamic team that is focused on delivering results. Whilst experience in Sustainability would be an advantage, it is not a barrier to your entry into this role. The ability to convert your energy and passion for Sustainability into tangible business results will be your biggest advantage.

Additionally, the ability to build trust and respectful relationships in a cross functional and cross-cultural environment, together with strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across all levels of the organisation, will also be critical to your success, as will your ability to manage a range of competing priorities and multiple projects. The capability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively, supplemented with strong analytical skills are also important attributes for this role.

• A competitive salary
• ABF Pension Scheme membership
• An annual Incentive Plan
• Private Healthcare

Additionally, you will have access to a range of benefits aimed at enhancing your wellbeing both at home and at work; from a free and confidential 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to access to affordable loans and financial education, electric vehicle and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes, an option to buy additional holidays and a day dedicated to volunteering in your local community. You will also have access to our benefits platform Extra Spice from day one, offering a huge variety of retail and leisure discounts.