Job Description

Vacancy Name
Sustainability Manager - Nature and Animal Welfare
Vacancy No
VN861
Job Type
Permanent
Location
Hatfield
Job Details
Sustainability Manager - Nature and Animal Welfare
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Blended working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Manager
Application closing date: Friday 7th March 2025
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivaled service, and reassuringly good value.
We're Ocado Retail, a market-leading, joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S and the world's largest dedicated online supermarket ocado.com. Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, but it's also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We're also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
The Sustainability Manager for Nature and Animal Welfare is a strategic role to promote a food system that works in harmony with nature and is aligned to the Ocado Retail's Planet Together sustainability strategy. The role will be key to developing and implementing agriculture, animal welfare and marine policies aligned to the market and initiatives to achieve net zero, climate resilience and enhance biodiversity in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
What you'll do
The role encompasses four key areas: elimination of deforestation and land conversion from our own supply chain, implementing sustainable farming practices, enhancing our animal welfare standards and sustainable seafood sourcing.
Deforestation

• Implement robust policies that ensure Ocado delivers its commitment to sourcing vDCF soy, palm and responsible cocoa, and coffee in our Own Brand range
• Support the annual data collection process and accurately report progress against targets
• Ensure Ocado suppliers are informed and supported in the implementation of the Ocado Deforestation Policies
• Participate in the relevant industry groups and collaborate with peers to drive advocacy

Sustainable agriculture

• Implement the agriculture policies and standards agreed by the business across the growers' base
• Work collaboratively with the commercial team and suppliers to ensure standards are adopted and maintained
• Drive the adoption of sustainable farming practices as part of our partnership with the Soil Association
• Develop a strategy to ensure we source fresh food from areas where sustainable water management is practised
• Build strong relationships and work collaboratively with NGO's, industry bodies, growers/suppliers and other key stakeholders
• Analyse data on agriculture metrics to track progress, identify trends, and inform decision-making.

Animal welfare

• Create and implement comprehensive animal welfare policies that align with UK legislation, industry best practices and Ocado's commitments
• Work collaboratively with the commercial team and suppliers to ensure consistent adherence to animal welfare standards throughout the journey from farm to shelf
• Support the development of practical and measurable checklists to help farmers adopt the Good Life framework as part of our partnership with the Soil Association
• Build strong relationships and work collaboratively with NGO's, industry bodies, suppliers and other key stakeholders
• Analyse data on animal welfare metrics to track progress, identify trends, and inform decision-making.

Marine

• Ensure the Ocado seafood sourcing policies align with good practices, scientific advice, and Ocado's sustainability commitments
• Engage with and supporting Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) and Sustainable Seafood to drive improvements in the sustainability of fisheries
• Work collaboratively with the commercial team and suppliers to ensure standards are adopted and maintained
• Build strong relationships and work collaboratively with NGO's, industry bodies, suppliers and other key stakeholders
• Analyse data on marine metrics to track progress, identify trends, and inform decision-making.

In order to deliver on the above key accountabilities, the Sustainability Manager for Nature and Animal Welfare will collaborate with the following internal key stakeholders:

• Director of Product
• Ocado Brand functions: product development, technical, strategic sourcing
• Commercial team
• M&S
• Own Brand suppliers
• Other brands

Who you are

• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, animal welfare and marine practices
• Understanding of external regulatory framework: knowledge of UK and European legislation
• Experience of working with all the major packaging materials - plastic, glass, metal, paper, board
• Experience of writing policies, guidelines and codes of practice
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Highly organised and self-motivated
• Ability to interpret data and act upon it
• Adaptability to work within a fast growing company environment
• Focus on quality, accuracy and attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages and web-based systems

Competencies:

• Persuasion and Influencing skills
• Passionate and flexible
• Tenacity
• Team player
• Good Communication skills
• Approachable
• Drive and Energy
• Business and Commercial acumen

What's in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail you'll have the chance to experience life at the world's largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what's possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail.
If that's not enough to tempt you, you'll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here's a taste of what we offer:
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with the option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy an extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we get loads of great applications and we really appreciate that so many people put the time and effort in to apply. To recognise that, we treat all applications respectfully and fairly. So, if yours stands out, you'll follow our standard hiring process - one of our Talent Partners will talk you through this in an initial call.
Everyone's welcome
We're an equal opportunities employer. That means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
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