Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to steer the strategic direction for sustainability within the UK and Ireland, aligning local operations with the global Vision 2030 commitments. You will be responsible for translating high-level goals into actionable plans for packaging circularity, sustainable ingredient sourcing, and local carbon reduction initiatives. On a day-to-day level, you will partner closely with Brand Teams to unlock growth through sustainability-led innovation, particularly for the Cadbury portfolio . You will also manage compliance readiness for upcoming plastic and packaging regulations, ensuring the product pipeline is resilient against shifting legislative landscapes.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in circular economy principles and the specific technical challenges of plastic reduction within the food and beverage industry. Exposure to the evolving regulatory landscape, such as the EU’s PPWR, will provide you with highly sought-after legal and compliance knowledge in the FMCG sector. Furthermore, leading the 'Green Army' and GreenBite initiatives offers a unique opportunity to hone transformational leadership and internal advocacy skills. You will learn how to drive large-scale cultural change and upskill a diverse workforce on complex environmental topics.

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

The ideal candidate bridges the gap between brand marketing and environmental strategy . You should have a proven track record of driving sustainability within a corporate setting or a profound passion backed by commercial acumen. Experience in FMCG is highly beneficial, as you need to understand how sustainability impacts retail partnerships and consumer choice. Strong influencing and storytelling skills are essential, as you will need to convince senior stakeholders to adopt new, often bold, ways of working. High learning agility and a willingness to lead through the ambiguity of changing regulations are key attributes for success in this role.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to connect ESG metrics to commercial growth . Instead of just listing sustainability passions, provide examples of where you have used environmental initiatives to drive brand value or operational efficiency. Showing you understand the specific challenges of the UK retail landscape will be highly viewed. Highlight your experience with cross-functional collaboration . This role isn't a siloed position; it requires moving between marketing, corporate affairs, and supply chain. Analytical preparation regarding packaging regulations and virgin plastic reduction strategies will show you are ready to hit the ground running.

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

The role focuses heavily on packaging circularity , particularly the reduction of virgin plastic and ensuring the business is ready for new packaging waste directives. This is a critical pillar for Mondelēz as they move toward a more sustainable snacking future. Additionally, there is a significant focus on sustainable ingredient sourcing , with particular attention to cocoa through the lens of local leadership. You will also lead the charge on local carbon reduction projects, ensuring the UKI business unit contributes effectively to the group's global net-zero ambitions.

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

One of the greatest challenges will be balancing commercial pressures with ambitious sustainability targets. In a competitive market, finding the 'joint value creation' between environmental goals and financial growth requires high-level strategic thinking and resilience. Navigating the complexity of emerging regulations like the PPWR also presents a hurdle, as these require rapid adaptation of long-term product pipelines. Furthermore, driving a 'winning growth culture' while asking teams to change established processes requires sophisticated change management skills.

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

A typical day might begin with a meeting of the Sustainability Working Group to track progress on lighthouse packaging projects. You may then pivot to a strategy session with the Cadbury brand team to discuss how to communicate sustainability milestones to consumers without greenwashing. Afternoons could be spent reviewing regulatory updates with Corporate Affairs or preparing a presentation for senior leadership on the AGS score (Advantage Group Survey) regarding retail partner perceptions. The day often ends with internal advocacy, perhaps hosting a session for the employee-led GreenBite group.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with Brand and Category Managers to align sustainability with product roadmaps. You will also work closely with Customer Teams to manage relationships with major UK retailers who have their own stringent ESG requirements. Externally, you may represent the company in industry forums or with regulatory bodies. Internally, your interaction with Regional Sustainability Leads and Corporate Affairs ensures alignment with global policy, while your leadership of the 'green army' connects you with passionate employees across all levels of the UKI business.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to steer the strategic direction for sustainability within the UK and Ireland, aligning local operations with the global Vision 2030 commitments. You will be responsible for translating high-level goals into actionable plans for packaging circularity, sustainable ingredient sourcing, and local carbon reduction initiatives. On a day-to-day level, you will partner closely with Brand Teams to unlock growth through sustainability-led innovation, particularly for the Cadbury portfolio. You will also manage compliance readiness for upcoming plastic and packaging regulations, ensuring the product pipeline is resilient against shifting legislative landscapes.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

You will gain deep expertise in circular economy principles and the specific technical challenges of plastic reduction within the food and beverage industry. Exposure to the evolving regulatory landscape, such as the EU’s PPWR, will provide you with highly sought-after legal and compliance knowledge in the FMCG sector. Furthermore, leading the 'Green Army' and GreenBite initiatives offers a unique opportunity to hone transformational leadership and internal advocacy skills. You will learn how to drive large-scale cultural change and upskill a diverse workforce on complex environmental topics.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate bridges the gap between brand marketing and environmental strategy. You should have a proven track record of driving sustainability within a corporate setting or a profound passion backed by commercial acumen. Experience in FMCG is highly beneficial, as you need to understand how sustainability impacts retail partnerships and consumer choice. Strong influencing and storytelling skills are essential, as you will need to convince senior stakeholders to adopt new, often bold, ways of working. High learning agility and a willingness to lead through the ambiguity of changing regulations are key attributes for success in this role.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to connect ESG metrics to commercial growth. Instead of just listing sustainability passions, provide examples of where you have used environmental initiatives to drive brand value or operational efficiency. Showing you understand the specific challenges of the UK retail landscape will be highly viewed. Highlight your experience with cross-functional collaboration. This role isn't a siloed position; it requires moving between marketing, corporate affairs, and supply chain. Analytical preparation regarding packaging regulations and virgin plastic reduction strategies will show you are ready to hit the ground running.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role focuses heavily on packaging circularity, particularly the reduction of virgin plastic and ensuring the business is ready for new packaging waste directives. This is a critical pillar for Mondelēz as they move toward a more sustainable snacking future. Additionally, there is a significant focus on sustainable ingredient sourcing, with particular attention to cocoa through the lens of local leadership. You will also lead the charge on local carbon reduction projects, ensuring the UKI business unit contributes effectively to the group's global net-zero ambitions.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the greatest challenges will be balancing commercial pressures with ambitious sustainability targets. In a competitive market, finding the 'joint value creation' between environmental goals and financial growth requires high-level strategic thinking and resilience. Navigating the complexity of emerging regulations like the PPWR also presents a hurdle, as these require rapid adaptation of long-term product pipelines. Furthermore, driving a 'winning growth culture' while asking teams to change established processes requires sophisticated change management skills.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a meeting of the Sustainability Working Group to track progress on lighthouse packaging projects. You may then pivot to a strategy session with the Cadbury brand team to discuss how to communicate sustainability milestones to consumers without greenwashing. Afternoons could be spent reviewing regulatory updates with Corporate Affairs or preparing a presentation for senior leadership on the AGS score (Advantage Group Survey) regarding retail partner perceptions. The day often ends with internal advocacy, perhaps hosting a session for the employee-led GreenBite group.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

This position offers a high-visibility platform within a global organization, making it a springboard for regional or global sustainability leadership roles. Because sustainability is a 'must-win' pillar for the 2030 strategy, successes here will be noticed at the executive level. You will also have the opportunity to become a subject matter expert in sustainable marketing and packaging, fields that are seeing exponential demand. The role provides a pathway to move into broader strategic management or specialized corporate affairs positions within the FMCG industry.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will frequently interact with Brand and Category Managers to align sustainability with product roadmaps. You will also work closely with Customer Teams to manage relationships with major UK retailers who have their own stringent ESG requirements. Externally, you may represent the company in industry forums or with regulatory bodies. Internally, your interaction with Regional Sustainability Leads and Corporate Affairs ensures alignment with global policy, while your leadership of the 'green army' connects you with passionate employees across all levels of the UKI business.

Marketing Sustainability Lead UKI

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