Sustainability Specialist

ZipRecruiter; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing food manufacturing business in the UK seeks a Sustainability Specialist to drive sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. The candidate will collaborate across teams to achieve emissions reduction targets and manage sustainability-related risks. Ideal for someone with a degree in Sustainability and a track record in the food sector. Offers a salary of £40k-£45k with hybrid working options and generous benefits.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Wellbeing and employee engagement initiatives

Ongoing training and development

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a sustainability role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of UK/EU sustainability regulations and key reporting standards (GRI, SECR, ISSB).
• Experience conducting sustainability risk assessments and managing environmental KPIs.
• Comfortable leading training and awareness activities.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of sustainability policy and processes.
• Collaborate to achieve emissions reduction and sustainable sourcing targets.
• Monitor and evaluate KPIs to track progress.
• Coordinate completion of annual reporting requirements.
• Engage with customers and suppliers on sustainability progress.

Skills

Sustainability regulations knowledge

Collaboration skills

Analytical skills

Project management skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Sustainability or Environmental Management

Job description

Job Description

We’re excited to be recruiting for a Sustainability Specialist on behalf of a successful and growing business in the food manufacturing sector. This brand-new role offers a fantastic opportunity to shape and lead sustainability initiatives at a company where sustainability has evolved into a core part of business strategy. You’ll be joining at a pivotal moment, helping turn ambition into action through practical implementation, cross-functional collaboration, and transparent reporting.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business with ambitious growth plans and a genuine commitment to sustainability. As Sustainability Specialist, you’ll play a key part in embedding sustainability across both the organisation and its supply chain—supporting the implementation of strategic plans, driving compliance with evolving regulations, and reporting progress to key stakeholders.

You’ll work closely with colleagues at all levels to meet environmental targets, reduce carbon impact (especially Scope 3 emissions), and champion responsible sourcing and risk mitigation. The right person for this role will bring deep knowledge of sustainability regulations, reporting frameworks, and environmental and social risks—paired with strong collaboration skills and a track record of translating strategy into action.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainability Strategy & Implementation

• Support the development and implementation of sustainability policy and processes aligned with business objectives.
• Collaborate with internal teams to achieve emissions reduction, net zero, and sustainable sourcing targets.
• Define, monitor, and evaluate KPIs to track progress and drive accountability.
• Deliver sustainability training and awareness campaigns across departments.
• Conduct and update double materiality assessments and lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to inform strategic priorities.
• Identify and manage sustainability-related business and supply chain risks, including climate adaptation.

Reporting & Compliance

• Coordinate completion of annual reporting requirements, including EcoVadis, SECR, and the Sustainability Report (GRI-aligned).
• Track and interpret global sustainability regulations (UK, EU, and beyond) to ensure compliance and inform planning.
• Develop and implement processes to measure and report on Scope 3 emissions.

Customer and Supplier Engagement

• Report sustainability progress to customers and respond to information requests.
• Work with suppliers to monitor and improve sustainable sourcing practices and performance.

Continuous Improvement & Culture

• Analyse sustainability performance data to identify areas for improvement.
• Champion sustainability within cross-functional improvement projects.
• Promote a culture of health, safety, and sustainability awareness throughout the business.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree in Sustainability, Environmental Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in a sustainability role within the food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of UK/EU sustainability regulations and key reporting standards (GRI, SECR, ISSB).
• Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
• Experience conducting sustainability risk assessments and managing environmental KPIs.
• Comfortable leading training and awareness activities.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and project management skills.
• A collaborative, proactive approach with a passion for driving positive environmental change.
• Please note, due to the location of the site you must be able to drive and have your own transport.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: £40k-£45k
• Location: Hampshire, hybrid working options available
• Benefits:
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Wellbeing and employee engagement initiatives
• Ongoing training and development

Ready to Drive Change?

If you're excited by the opportunity to shape and deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes in a thriving food manufacturing business, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to make a tangible impact in a company where sustainability truly matters.