Sustainability Specialist – Supply Chain Transformation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance after 4 yrs

Company sick pay

5 weeks’ annual leave + Bank Holidays

In office flexi-time

MyBenefits access

Job summary

Aldi is seeking a Senior Sustainability Supply Chain Transformation professional to support the delivery of non-financial KPIs across GB/IE markets. You will lead cross-functional projects, collaborate with NGOs and MSIs, and drive pre-competitive sustainability initiatives while aligning with Aldi’s cost leadership strategy.

You will balance strategic sustainability goals with commercial considerations, manage budgets, and engage suppliers through Aldi's tendering and approval processes, while

Qualifications

• Experience within sustainability and delivering cross-stakeholder projects.
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple topics.
• Experience working with NGOs and multisectoral initiatives (MSIs).
• Familiarity with certification schemes and related certificates/payments.
• Financial planning experience for project budgets and cost/impact.
• Excellent communication, both written and verbal, with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sustainability transformation projects in GB/IE markets.
• Propose, implement and deliver projects meeting non-financial KPIs.
• Collaborate with Buying stakeholders to drive systemic change in commodities.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners, including NGOs/MSIs.
• Ensure project identification is integrated into the Aldi Buying tendering process.
• Manage supplier engagement and certification management to advance sustainability.
• Monitor progress and drive continuous improvement.
• Balance sustainability delivery with Aldi’s cost leadership requirements.

Skills

Sustainability experience

Project management

NGOs/MSIs

Certification schemes

Financial planning

Strong communicator

Autonomous worker

Stakeholder management

Excel

PowerPoint

Attention to detail

Resilience under pressure

Job description

Vacancy Specification

The National Sustainability Supply Chain Transformation team is responsible for ALDI’s new sustainability strategy for non-financial targets and for supporting the Buying teams in selected areas to drive systemic change, reflecting the national stakeholder landscape.

The National Sustainability Supply Chain Transformation team leads the national internal implementation of commodity strategies, policies, and processes, and customises them for country specific partnerships. There is a strong focus on cross-industry collaboration (for supply chain stakeholders), and multi stakeholder initiatives.

As a specialist within the team, you will, with relevant Buying stakeholders, support the Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation Manager, in proposing, implementing, and delivering projects that meet the business’ non-financial KPIs across both GB/IE markets. These projects will progress Aldi in its global purpose of delivering a positive impact on people and planet whilst also building supply chain resilience through long term strategic partnerships.

The best candidate will be able to demonstrate experience in successfully delivering projects across multiple stakeholders, both internal and external, with experience of collaborating with NGOs and MSIs. This role has a wide scope of responsibility so the candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have experience in flexing between different topics and specialisms and that they are willing to upskill themselves in certain areas where necessary.

You will need to be confident with Aldi Buying tendering processes to ensure project identification is integrated into the buying cycle and supplier relationships. You must also be confident in Aldi product and supplier approval systems to be able to advance sustainability in relevant supply chains through certification management and supplier engagement.

Strong collaboration skills will be required with the new sustainability strategy team (responsible for sustainability compliance, policy, and strategy implementation) to ensure duplication of effort, or communication channels, is avoided.

This role focuses on project management that delivers impact beyond Aldi, together with systemic change through advocacy for higher standards of sustainability practices and pre-competitive collaboration. Collaboration, organisation, and strong communication skills are essential as well as the ability to work autonomously.

Whilst specialism in sustainability is crucial, the candidate must be able to demonstrate commercial acumen to balance our cost leadership requirements as a hard discounter whilst also delivering the requirements of the new sustainability strategy.

The candidate must have an awareness of current sustainability legislation, impact on Aldi. Financial planning will also be required in this role so experience of this is key.

This role is a 12-month FTC.

Your New Role

• Support delivery of Aidi's new sustainability strategy for non-financial targets through sustainable supply chain transformation projects
• Support the Sustainable Supply Chain Transformation Manager with proposing, implementing, and delivering projects for GB/IE Non-Financial KPIs
• Work with relevant Buying stakeholders to drive systemic change in selected commodities and supply chain areas
• Lead national internal implementation of commodity strategies, policies, and processes, customised for country-specific partnerships
• Identify and progress multi-stakeholder initiatives that improve sustainability outcomes and supply chain resilience
• Collaborate across internal and external stakeholders, including NGOs and MSIs, to deliver agreed project outcomes
• Deliver project impact beyond Aldi through pre-competitive collaboration and advocacy for higher sustainability standards
• Coordinate closely with the New Sustainability Strategy Business Integration team to avoid duplication of effort and ensure clear communication channels
• Integrate project identification into the Buying cycle by using Aldi Buying tendering processes
• Use Aldi product and supplier approval systems to advance sustainability via certification management and supplier engagement
• Manage supplier engagement activities to drive progress and continuous improvement
• Ensure strong project organisation, communication, and stakeholder management
• Work autonomously with the ability to flex between topics and specialisms
• Balance sustainability delivery with commercial acumen, supporting Aldi’s cost leadership requirements
• Maintain awareness of current sustainability legislation and assess implications for Aldi
• Support financial planning for projects, including budgeting and cost/impact considerations

About You

• Experience of working within sustainability
• Project management experience
• Experience of working with NGOs and MSIs
• Experience with certification schemes, evidence of schemes (certificates) and license fee payments
• Financial planning
• 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

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
• 12-month FTC
• 5 weeks’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• In office flexi-time
• Full training provided
• Pension scheme
• Private employee medical insurance after 4 years
• Company sick pay scheme
• Company maternity and adoption leave and paternity pay after 1 year of service
• Long service rewards
• 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.