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Sustainability Project Lead – Catering & Events

Export Development Canada United Kingdom Added on Jul 22, 2026
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As the Sustainability Project Lead, you will take full ownership of a focused three-month transformation project to formalize and elevate the environmental standards of a prominent Scottish catering company. Your primary objective is to move beyond informal good practices by auditing current operations and establishing a rigorous, permanent framework for circularity and carbon reduction. You will be responsible for creating the systems, policies, and evidence needed to secure high-level external recognition.

This role matters because it bridges the gap between high-volume event hospitality and meaningful climate action. By refining procurement channels and managing food waste at scale, you will directly influence the environmental footprint of major Scottish events. Success here means achieving a Gold Green Tourism certification, proving that bespoke catering can be both a premium culinary experience and a model for local, seasonal, and low-impact business operations.

This suits someone who is a self-starting project manager with a deep understanding of the hospitality supply chain. You should thrive on turning abstract sustainability goals into tangible, operational reality within a fast-moving, family-run business environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission of this role is to transition the company from informal responsible practices to a structured sustainability framework. You will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive gap analysis across the entire business, encompassing everything from food waste and energy use to transport and ethical procurement. Beyond auditing, you will lead the Green Tourism certification process, which involves coordinating all necessary evidence and documentation. You aren't just writing a report; you are building the practical systems to measure, monitor, and report on sustainability performance long after your contract ends.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this project-based role, you will gain deep experience in the Green Tourism accreditation framework, a gold standard for the UK hospitality and tourism sector. This offers a chance to see exactly how sustainability policies translate into high-paced catering environments where logistics and food safety are paramount. You will also sharpen your skills in sustainable procurement by negotiating with local Scottish suppliers and finding ways to integrate seasonal sourcing into a commercially viable business model. This project provides a clear closed-loop learning experience, from initial audit to final certification.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a hands-on professional with a proven track record in project management and environmental auditing. While a background in sustainability is essential, having specific experience within the hospitality, tourism, or food service sectors will make you much more effective in this environment. You should possess strong technical writing skills for policy development, but equally important is your ability to communicate complex concepts to a varied team, from chefs to delivery drivers. Knowledge of local Scottish food supply chains and waste management regulations is a significant advantage.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond discussing sustainability theories and focus on practical implementation stories. Use your cover letter to detail a specific instance where you moved a business from point A to point B in terms of measurable environmental impact or certification success. Since Saltire Hospitality emphasizes their family-run, bespoke nature, show that you can work collaboratively with an established team rather than acting as a distant consultant. Demonstrating familiarity with Saltire’s specific operational context in Edinburgh and Midlothian will also indicate a high level of preparedness.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on the circular economy and decarbonization of the food supply chain. This includes analyzing the carbon footprint of logistics, reducing single-use packaging, and implementing rigorous food waste reduction strategies that comply with Scottish environmental standards. There is also a strong social and local sourcing component. You will be looking at how the company supports the local community and ethical suppliers, ensuring the 'S' in ESG is integrated through fair procurement and community-focused business growth.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

The most significant challenge will be the tight three-month timeframe to prepare for a Gold-level certification. Moving a fast-paced business toward new documentation requirements without disrupting daily operations requires high efficiency and diplomatic communication. Another challenge lies in data collection. Since the company is currently building its measurement systems, you may initially face inconsistencies in historical data related to energy or waste, requiring a creative and tenacious approach to gathering evidence.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a review of procurement invoices to identify more sustainable supplier alternatives, followed by a meeting with the leadership team to discuss policy drafts. You might spend the afternoon on-site at a venue or the kitchen, observing waste management workflows to identify bottlenecks. Your time will be split between high-level strategic planning and very tactical tasks, such as training catering staff on new sustainability protocols or organizing the digital archive of evidence required for the Green Tourism assessment.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As a fixed-term or freelance project, this role offers the immediate reward of adding a successful Gold certification to your professional portfolio. Successfully delivering this project establishes you as an expert in hospitality ESG transitions, a high-growth field. For a freelancer, this could lead to long-term advisory opportunities as the company continues to evolve its strategy. The visibility of this role within the Edinburgh hospitality scene also provides excellent networking opportunities with local suppliers and tourism stakeholders.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to the Leadership Team, ensuring your roadmap aligns with the company’s commercial goals. On a daily basis, you will interact with the Executive Chefs and Operations Managers to ensure sustainability initiatives are practical and scalable. External interaction is also key; you will engage with local suppliers to discuss environmental standards and collaborate with external auditors from awarding bodies during the certification phase.

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