This role bridges the gap between high-level sustainability strategy and the practical realities of retail buying. You will own the implementation of commodity-specific projects, ensuring that non-financial targets are woven directly into the tendering process. By working closely with buying teams, you will turn policy into practice across the UK and Ireland markets, managing certification schemes and driving supplier engagement to improve supply chain resilience.
The impact here is systemic. You are not just checking boxes; you are advocating for higher standards across the broader retail landscape through pre-competitive collaboration and partnerships with NGOs. For a major discounter like Aldi, this role is the linchpin that proves environmental and social responsibility can coexist with a cost-leadership model, creating a template for sustainable retail at scale.
This suits someone who possesses a sharp commercial mind and can navigate the complexities of multi-stakeholder initiatives with ease. You should be comfortable moving between technical sustainability data and commercial negotiations, showing the resilience needed to drive change in a fast-paced retail environment.