Sustainability Specialist - Business Integration

Aldi UK; Atherstone; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance after 4 yrs

5 weeks’ annual leave + BH

2 remote working days/week

Flexi in-office hours

Job summary

Aldi UK is seeking a dedicated sustainability professional to lead the national integration of deforestation strategies and responsible sourcing across high-risk commodities. You will drive compliance with EUDR and related schemes, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure traceability and certification adherence.

The role requires strong data analysis, excellent communication, and the ability to work autonomously while balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic retail

Qualifications

• Experience working in sustainability across forest/deforestation or commodity supply chains.
• Understanding of EUDR and commodity certification schemes (FSC, PEFC, RSPO, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance).
• Strong data collection, analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement across multiple disciplines.
• Ability to translate regulation into practical implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead national implementation support for Aldi UK's sustainability strategy.
• Ensure compliance with national and international sustainability policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support mandatory sustainability reporting in GB/IE markets, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Collaborate with international teams to maintain consistent approaches across locations.
• Provide sustainability guidance to suppliers and internal teams.

Skills

Sustainability experience

Data collection & reporting

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication

Autonomous worker

Education

IEMA membership or similar

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

The new Business Integration team is responsible for national implementation of Sustainability strategies, adherence to national and international policies and processes, and compliance with sustainability regulation either directly within the team, or through relevant stakeholders and departments.

As a specialist within the team, you will support the Business Integration Manager, the international central team and both GB/IE markets. The role will lead the business integration of Aldi UK and Ireland’s deforestation strategy and support progress towards deforestation-free supply chains for high-risk commodities, including palm oil, soy, timber and beef. The role will also support Aldi’s wider responsible commodity and certification work, including Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and other relevant schemes across commodities such as cocoa, coffee, tea, bananas and sugar.

You will monitor regulatory developments, including EUDR and emerging UK requirements, propose implementation approaches and coordinate delivery across relevant stakeholders. You will work with commercial colleagues, suppliers and upstream supply-chain partners to improve traceability, track in-scope commodities, address deforestation risk and drive adoption of deforestation-free sourcing.

You will manage compliance with certification schemes, certificates and licence-fee requirements, support opportunities to expand certified products and provide guidance to colleagues and suppliers on EUDR requirements, responsible commodity sourcing, certification schemes, Aldi standards and relevant product and supplier approval processes.

The specialist will support data collection, validation, analysis and reporting relating to EUDR compliance, deforestation risk, responsible commodity performance and certification. Strong collaboration with the Systems Change team will be required to avoid duplication and embed business-as-usual administration. The successful candidate must work autonomously, balance multiple asks and deadlines, provide regular updates and seek sign-off where required.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to develop within the business and play a key part in shaping the future of Aldi globally.

Your New Role

• Lead national implementation support for Aldi’s sustainability strategy across relevant business areas
• Ensure compliance with national and international sustainability policies, processes, and regulatory requirements
• Support mandatory sustainability reporting in GB/IE markets, ensuring reporting is accurate, complete, and on time
• Work with the Business Implementation Manager to progress implementation activities and provide independent input/advice when required
• Partner with the international central team to maintain consistency in approach and execution across locations
• Monitor sustainability regulation developments (horizon scanning) and assess the impact on Aidi, recommending appropriate actions and adjustments
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to ensure sustainability requirements are understood, implemented, and followed across functions
• Support communication and guidance internally and where needed externally, helping stakeholders understand obligations and expectations
• Use Aldi product and supplier approval systems confidently to help ensure compliance with sustainability standards and requirements
• Provide sustainability guidance to suppliers, including Aldi standards, policies, and clear instructions to support compliance
• Integrate sustainability into business functions by translating regulation and strategy into practical, workable implementation approaches
• Operate autonomously and flex between topics and specialisms
• Manage priorities and workload effectively, balancing multiple “asks” with strong organisation and follow-through

About You

• Experience of working within Sustainability.
• Experience working on forests, deforestation or commodity supply chains.
• Experience working across multiple stakeholders, functions or sites.
• Experience supporting third-party product certification or accreditation and license fee payments.
• Knowledge of EUDR and commodity certification schemes, including FSC, PEFC, RSPO, RTRS, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance
• Supplier and colleague engagement.
• Data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Understanding of deforestation risk, traceability and impact reduction in product supply chains.
• Curious, conscientious and driven, with a strong interest in deforestation, ecosystems, responsible commodity sourcing, certification and sustainability.
• Strong and confident communicator
• Autonomous worker
• Experience with stakeholder management across multiple disciplines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
• Strong attention to detail
• A strong level of resilience and the ability to operate under pressure.
• Able to work to tight deadlines and be flexible to business requirements.
• Able to plan ahead with a strong sense of personal organisation.
• Membership of IEMA or another professional body relevant to sustainability, responsible sourcing, forestry, certification or supply-chain due diligence.
• Substantial experience with deforestation-risk commodities such as palm oil, soy or timber.
• Experience delivering deforestation-free or responsible sourcing strategies.
• Experience in fairly traded or certified commodity markets.
• Responsible commodity purchasing and forecasting.
• Working with upstream supply-chain actors to address deforestation risk

What You’ll get in Return

• Salary from £37,545 rising to £43,840
• Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, with the opportunity of 2 days a week remote working
• 5 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• In office flexi-time
• Full training provided
• Private employee medical insurance after 4 years
• Company maternity and adoption leave and paternity pay after 1 year of service
• Access to MyBenefits, where you can find a wide range of benefits, including our bike to work scheme, shopping and cinema discounts, health cash plan, a FREE will, travel and discounted gym memberships, as well as a host of benefits to support your financial and wellbeing needs.
• Access to a free,24/7, confidential virtual GP service for all Aldi Colleagues and their children (under the age of 16)

*You’ll need to live within 90 minutes of your main working location

**Please be aware that this role does not fulfil the requirements for visa sponsorship.

Aldi is an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and are dedicated to promoting a culture of inclusion, providing an environment in which collaboration, respect and fairness are essential. We value diversity and are dedicated to treating all of our colleagues and prospective colleagues fairly and with respect.