Seafood Sustainability Lead – Aquaculture

New England Seafood is an ambitious, forward-thinking business with an enviable track record of investment and growth, an excellent reputation for quality and integrity, and great people. We have strong leadership supported by a unique ownership structure.

Our purpose runs deep – it is our DNA. Our core purpose is to enhance lives through fish.

What is the purpose of this role?
Help Shape a Sustainable Future for Aquaculture at NESI

Aquaculture is the world’s fastest-growing food sector and is key to providing healthy, low-carbon protein to a growing global population. At NESI, we have a vital role to play in sourcing farmed seafood responsibly, ensuring that environmental impacts are managed, working conditions are respected, and compliance is delivered across our supply base.

We’re offering an exciting opportunity for a passionate and experienced aquaculture professional to join our Planet & People team. In this role, you’ll lead aquaculture sustainability initiatives across our global supplier base – driving improvements in environmental stewardship, fish welfare, feed, and social responsibility, while ensuring compliance with company policies and customer expectations.

You’ll collaborate with dynamic, cross-functional teams, support suppliers through audits and development programmes, and clearly communicate progress to internal and external stakeholders.

If you’re ready to make a real impact and help shape a better future for farmed seafood, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver Strategy – Lead on the implementation of NESI’s Planet & People strategy, focusing on aquaculture sustainability across sourcing, feed, and welfare and other relevant topics.
• Supplier Auditing & Development – Conduct audits and assessments of aquaculture suppliers to evaluate environmental, social, welfare, and compliance performance. Support suppliers with capacity building and development plans to close gaps.
• Risk & Compliance – Manage aquaculture due diligence, including Supplier Assessment Questionnaires, Codes of Practice, feed, traceability checks, and compliance with relevant certification schemes (ASC, BAP, GlobalG.A.P., etc.).
• Social Conditions – Assess and monitor social responsibility within aquaculture supply chains, including working conditions, recruitment practices, and worker welfare. Ensure suppliers are aligned with international labour and human rights standards.
• Monitor Performance – Track and report on aquaculture sustainability metrics, supplier performance, and audit outcomes; share progress with internal and external stakeholders.
• Horizon Scanning – Identify and assess emerging issues, regulations, risks (e.g. feed sourcing, welfare standards, antibiotic use, labour practices), and opportunities relevant to aquaculture production.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Build strong relationships with suppliers, NGOs, certification bodies, and internal teams to support responsible aquaculture sourcing.
• Customer Leadership – Support key customer relationships by addressing sustainability requirements and demonstrating NESI’s aquaculture progress.
• Insights & Research – Summarise key developments in aquaculture science, policy, and industry to guide decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Drive Education – Deliver training and engagement activities across the business to build knowledge of aquaculture sustainability challenges and NESI’s response.
• Collaborate for Impact – Represent NESI in industry groups, pre-competitive collaborations, and external forums to contribute to broader aquaculture sustainability progress.

What experiences, knowledge and capabilities do I need to demonstrate?

Essential

Experience

• Proven experience in aquaculture, sustainability, or supply chain compliance within the seafood or broader food industry.
• 3+ years’ practical experience in aquaculture production.
• 5+ years’ experience in managerial roles in aquaculture production or sustainability.

Education

• Degree in Aquaculture or relevant field.

Expertise and skills

• Strong understanding of aquaculture production systems, including topics such as: feed sustainability, fish welfare, water quality, disease management, regulatory frameworks, and certification schemes.
• Familiarity with aquaculture certification standards (ASC, BAP, GlobalG.A.P., etc.).
• Ability to lead and deliver complex projects across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Skilled communicator able to explain technical sustainability topics clearly to different audiences.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, especially in cross-functional team settings.
• Confident in supplier engagement, with the ability to influence and drive improvements.
• Impact-driven, with a track record of delivering measurable sustainability outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; able to produce clear, data-informed reports and presentations.

Desirable

• Knowledge of social responsibility issues in aquaculture supply chains (e.g. migrant labour, worker rights, ethical recruitment).
• Experience conducting supplier audits, risk assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Experience with sustainability risk assessment tools or data platforms.
• ESG or corporate reporting knowledge, particularly customer and investor disclosures.
• Awareness of climate- and nature-related target-setting in food supply chains.
• Postgraduate qualification (MSc/PhD) or relevant professional certification.

Attributes

• Passionate about sustainable aquaculture and driving positive change.
• Strategic, proactive, and solutions-focused.
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Detail-oriented, collaborative, and methodical.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday
• Pension: 5% employee contribution, 3% employer contribution
• Life Insurance: 3 x annual salary
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount Scheme Programme
• Unlimited hot refreshments
• On-site parking
• Employee Referral Programme
• Sports & Social Fund

NESI Health and Safety

New England Seafood International will work to ensure it fulfils its moral and legal responsibilities and will not compromise on Health & Safety.  We have a strong belief and culture that no one should be hurt resulting from our operations.  Health & Safety will always be given priority when considering other business activities.

We will ensure that all persons are provided with a safe working environment and have access to suitable welfare facilities including safe access and egress.

We will ensure all our staff are site inducted, provided the necessary levels of H&S training to work safe on site and provided expert training for their role.  In order for people to work safely and on completion of a detailed risk assessment, we will provide suitable and appropriate machinery, equipment and PPE to fulfil this objective.

Our H&S objectives will always be reviewed frequently and will be communicated openly through the business and will be used to drive continued improvement to our H&S standards and culture.  This is achieved by consultation and positive interaction with our employees.

NESI Food Safety

Every employee is expected to be proactive in adhering to Food Safety rules and is encouraged to actively promote and cultivate a Food Safety Culture within the workplace; as a company, we are committed to providing ongoing support, comprehensive training, and the necessary tools to continuously upskill our knowledge about food safety, empowering all team members to engage in open communication with the NESI colleagues to share ideas, address challenges, and collaboratively uphold our commitment to Food Safety Excellence.