Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain unparalleled experience in large-scale retail decarbonization , learning how to manage complex carbon reduction initiatives across diverse facility types, from large warehouses to retail grocery stores. You will develop a deep understanding of how to integrate sustainability into the mechanical and operational core of a national business. There is a significant opportunity to work with cutting-edge refrigeration technology and energy systems, gaining technical expertise in one of the most challenging areas of retail emissions management.

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

The role is laser-focused on the company's Scope 1 and 2 emissions targets, specifically aiming for a 55% reduction by 2030. This involves a heavy emphasis on the energy efficiency of the physical real estate assets, including stores, fuel locations, and distribution centers. A major focus area will likely be refrigeration systems , which are a primary source of emissions in food retail. You will work on optimizing these systems and exploring low-carbon alternatives to significantly move the needle on the company's overall carbon footprint.

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

One of the primary challenges is balancing operational continuity with deep retrofitting projects. In the grocery business, stores must remain functional and safe for customers, requiring meticulous project planning to minimize disruption during energy efficiency upgrades. Another challenge lies in the geographic diversity of the portfolio. Managing initiatives across ten provinces means navigating different regulatory environments, utility structures, and climate conditions, all of which affect the feasibility and performance of carbon reduction strategies.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing energy performance data from a recently completed pilot project to assess its carbon reduction effectiveness. This is followed by a meeting with the Construction and Real Estate teams to coordinate the rollout of a new LED or HVAC retrofit. Interactions with external vendors and consultants occupy a significant portion of the afternoon, whether you are reviewing new tenders for energy equipment or troubleshooting a project timeline delay.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Real Estate and Construction teams , with whom you will collaborate daily on project delivery, and the Operations and Maintenance teams who manage the facilities post-implementation. You will also interact frequently with Finance and Procurement to manage budgets and vendor selection, ensuring that all initiatives meet corporate financial criteria and governance standards.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to translate high-level climate strategy into tangible energy reduction projects across a vast commercial real estate network. You will be responsible for creating site-specific decarbonization roadmaps, focusing specifically on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while ensuring each initiative delivers both environmental and financial value. Day-to-day responsibilities involve leading the entire project lifecycle, from defining scopes and schedules to managing multimillion-dollar budgets and resource plans. You will also oversee the procurement and tendering processes, ensuring all third-party vendors and consultants align with the company's rigorous sustainability standards and operational requirements.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Candidates will gain unparalleled experience in large-scale retail decarbonization, learning how to manage complex carbon reduction initiatives across diverse facility types, from large warehouses to retail grocery stores. You will develop a deep understanding of how to integrate sustainability into the mechanical and operational core of a national business. There is a significant opportunity to work with cutting-edge refrigeration technology and energy systems, gaining technical expertise in one of the most challenging areas of retail emissions management.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings at least 8 years of project management experience, with a heavy emphasis on capital or engineering initiatives. You should have spent at least 3 to 5 years specifically focusing on energy management or carbon reduction, demonstrating a track record of moving projects from planning to implementation. Technical literacy is essential, particularly regarding commercial refrigeration and energy optimization. A bachelor's degree in engineering or environmental science is expected, and the ability to analyze complex financial and emissions data is a major advantage for building persuasive business cases.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond general project management terminology and focus on quantifiable carbon reduction impacts you have achieved in previous roles. Highlighting specific experience with refrigeration or large-scale HVAC systems will immediately signal your technical relevance to their biggest emissions challenges. Demonstrate your ability to speak both engineering and business. The hiring team is looking for someone who can justify sustainability investments through ROI analysis and sound financial logic just as well as technical performance.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The role is laser-focused on the company's Scope 1 and 2 emissions targets, specifically aiming for a 55% reduction by 2030. This involves a heavy emphasis on the energy efficiency of the physical real estate assets, including stores, fuel locations, and distribution centers. A major focus area will likely be refrigeration systems, which are a primary source of emissions in food retail. You will work on optimizing these systems and exploring low-carbon alternatives to significantly move the needle on the company's overall carbon footprint.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges is balancing operational continuity with deep retrofitting projects. In the grocery business, stores must remain functional and safe for customers, requiring meticulous project planning to minimize disruption during energy efficiency upgrades. Another challenge lies in the geographic diversity of the portfolio. Managing initiatives across ten provinces means navigating different regulatory environments, utility structures, and climate conditions, all of which affect the feasibility and performance of carbon reduction strategies.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with reviewing energy performance data from a recently completed pilot project to assess its carbon reduction effectiveness. This is followed by a meeting with the Construction and Real Estate teams to coordinate the rollout of a new LED or HVAC retrofit. Interactions with external vendors and consultants occupy a significant portion of the afternoon, whether you are reviewing new tenders for energy equipment or troubleshooting a project timeline delay.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

This role offers a high level of visibility within the executive Real Estate and Construction divisions, providing a path toward senior strategic leadership roles within the sustainability or operations departments. Success here positions you as a key architect of the company's environmental legacy. You will have the chance to lead high-profile innovation pilots, potentially setting the standard for the entire Canadian retail industry in carbon management.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Internal stakeholders include the Real Estate and Construction teams, with whom you will collaborate daily on project delivery, and the Operations and Maintenance teams who manage the facilities post-implementation. You will also interact frequently with Finance and Procurement to manage budgets and vendor selection, ensuring that all initiatives meet corporate financial criteria and governance standards.

Project Manager, Energy & Carbon Reduction Initiatives

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