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Sustainability Manager

St Austell Brewery • United Kingdom • Added on Aug 3, 2026
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You will take the lead on Crafting a Brighter Future, the brewery’s comprehensive sustainability roadmap. This involves moving beyond high-level strategy to manage daily data collection, carbon disclosures, and environmental performance across both production and hospitality sites. You will serve as the internal expert, turning technical ESG requirements into practical operational changes.

Working for a regional icon with a 175-year history means your impact is visible across the South West. You will help preserve the local heritage and environment by driving net-zero ambitions within a complex supply chain that spans from barley fields to pub taps. It is a rare chance to influence the circular economy of a traditional industry while fostering deep community roots.

This suits someone who is a collaborative problem-solver, comfortable translating complex climate data into stories that inspire pub managers and board members alike. You should be as passionate about technical reporting accuracy as you are about grassroots cultural change.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to operationalize the Crafting a Brighter Future strategy. You will own the roadmap for the brewery’s sustainability goals, ensuring that targets are not just set but met through actionable projects. This involves a heavy focus on ESG reporting and compliance, where you will manage the collection of environmental data and lead carbon disclosure efforts to ensure transparency. Beyond data, you are responsible for embedding sustainability into the corporate culture. You will deliver training programs, monitor performance against regional and national benchmarks, and provide regular progress updates to the Board of Directors. You will also act as a consultant to various departments, helping them identify innovation opportunities that reduce environmental impact while maintaining business value.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to the end-to-end value chain of the beverage and hospitality industry. From understanding the agricultural impact of brewing ingredients to managing the energy efficiency of historic pub buildings, the breadth of learning is significant. You will develop specialized expertise in emerging UK environmental legislation and sustainability reporting frameworks that are increasingly critical for mid-sized enterprises. Additionally, the role offers a platform to sharpen your executive communication skills. Reporting directly to leadership and the Board provides a unique mentorship-style environment where you can learn how ESG metrics influence high-level financial and strategic decision-making in a multi-generational family-founded business.

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

The ideal candidate brings a balanced mix of technical ESG literacy and exceptional interpersonal skills. You should have a proven track record in sustainability management, either in-house or through consultancy, with specific experience in managing carbon data and reporting frameworks. Accuracy and an analytical mindset are essential for handling the compliance aspects of the role. Equally important is the ability to influence without direct authority. We are looking for a proactive collaborator who can speak the language of both frontline hospitality staff and senior executives. A passion for the South West region and an understanding of the unique challenges facing the brewing and hospitality sectors will make your profile stand out.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and operational reality. Provide specific examples of how you have previously turned a sustainability policy into a tangible result, such as a waste reduction initiative or a successful carbon reporting cycle. Mentioning your familiarity with the South West landscape or the specific challenges of the hospitality sector will show you have done your homework. Your application should reflect a pragmatic and collaborative tone. St Austell Brewery values its heritage and community, so showing that you understand how to integrate modern ESG practices into a business with 175 years of tradition is key. Tailor your resume to highlight not just what you monitored, but how you influenced others to change their behavior.

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

The role focuses heavily on the environmental footprint of the brewing process and the managed pub estate. This likely includes initiatives around water stewardship, energy efficiency in breweries, and reducing scope 3 emissions within the supply chain. You will be the custodian of the carbon disclosure process, ensuring the company stays on track toward its net-zero ambitions. There is also a significant social and community component. Given the brewery's regional importance, you will likely work on projects that strengthen local community ties and social impact. This ensures that the 'Brighter Future' strategy encompasses not only planetary health but also the economic and social vitality of the South West region.

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

One of the main challenges will be standardizing data collection across a diverse portfolio that includes a production brewery, wholesale operations, and 175 varied pub locations. Ensuring data integrity from so many different sources requires persistence and strong systems. You may also face the challenge of balancing immediate operational costs with the long-term investment required for sustainability initiatives. Driving behavioral change across a large, geographically dispersed workforce can be difficult. You will need to find creative ways to make sustainability relevant to pub teams who are focused on daily guest experiences. Overcoming 'initiative fatigue' and ensuring sustainability remains a top priority amidst economic pressures in the hospitality sector will be a key test of your influence.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing energy consumption data or preparing a carbon disclosure report for an upcoming audit. You might then transition into a meeting with the procurement team to discuss sustainable sourcing for brewing ingredients or eco-friendly packaging options for the wholesale division. Your afternoon could be spent on-site at one of the managed pubs, conducting a sustainability walkthrough or delivering a workshop to staff members about the 'Crafting a Brighter Future' goals. The day often ends with strategic tasks, such as drafting a board memo on emerging ESG legislation or planning a community engagement event to showcase the brewery’s latest social impact milestones.

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

As the primary lead for the company's sustainability strategy, you have high visibility at the executive level, which often paves the way for senior leadership roles. Success in this position could lead to a broader Corporate Affairs or Operations leadership role, or the potential to eventually head a dedicated ESG department as the company grows. There are also opportunities for professional recognition through industry awards and external speaking engagements. By leading a successful sustainability transformation in an iconic regional brand, you build a powerful professional reputation as an expert who can deliver results in complex, multi-site hospitality and manufacturing environments.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Executive Board and department heads, providing the insights they need to steer the company’s ESG direction. You will also work closely with Pub Managers and operational staff to implement changes on the ground and gather feedback on what is working in practice. External stakeholders are equally vital; you will engage with suppliers and farmers to improve supply chain transparency and with local community groups to align on social impact goals. You will also serve as a point of contact for regulatory bodies and industry associations, ensuring the brewery remains a leader in sustainable hospitality standards.

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