Overview
At the John Lewis Partnership we want to be one of the UK’s most purpose-led and sustainable businesses. In 2023 we were the first retailer in the world to set validated science-based targets on all greenhouse gas emissions originating from forests, land and agriculture, and the first UK retailer to have SBTi-validated net zero science-based targets.
With climate change a high profile issue for the Partnership we are looking for an experienced individual to support our efforts to mobilise the business to deliver against these stretching targets, with customers and commerciality at the heart of our decision-making.
This role is responsible for supporting the delivery of the strategy for Ethics & Sustainability (E&S) as part of the Partnership’s Climate team. Through leading select initiatives, managing data, developing policies, developing guidance for other teams, and supporting the reporting and assurance process you will advance the Partnership’s climate change agenda. You will use your expertise in climate to engage with key internal and external stakeholders, enhancing and differentiating the Partnership’s position as a market leader in Ethics & Sustainability
At a glance
- Salary Range – up to £70,000 depending on experience
- Contract type – This position is a permanent contract.
- Working pattern/flexible working – We know flexible working is important to you, and it is important to us too. The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach meaning you’ll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. This role can be based at either our Pimlico (London Central Office) or Bracknell Head Office, depending on your preference. Some travel to suppliers and on site projects will be required.
- Please note, internally this role is known as ‘Ethics & Sustainability Manager, Climate’.
Key responsibilities
- Use your deep expertise of measuring, reporting and communicating complex scope 3 emissions to manage the continuous improvement of the Partnership carbon footprint calculation
- Supporting engagement with, and data collection from selected strategic suppliers. Develop approach to collect product carbon footprints particularly from John Lewis suppliers and from Waitrose branded suppliers
- Developing approaches to quantify the impact of E&S related initiatives (e.g. responsible sourcing, circular economy) on the Partnership’s carbon footprint in pursuit of our Net Zero targets
- Providing technical expertise and guidance on climate to key internal and external stakeholders (Partners, suppliers and customers), acting as a Partnership expert on climate change. Use data to drive business value and decision making
- Delivering reporting and assurance relating to climate where necessary (e.g. TCFD, SBTi, Ethics & Sustainability disclosures)
- Ensuring that activity to tackle climate impacts has integrity and impact and translates into customer and third party perceptions of the Partnership as a leader in the sectors in which it operates, in respect of climate change
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
- Relevant Degree level qualification or industry experience in one or more areas of climate change
- Strong interest in and passion for reducing the impact of climate change
- Experience of developing complex corporate carbon footprints for scope 1, 2 & 3
- Experience in leading the delivery of successful strategic projects to reduce climate impact, including quantification
- Excellent IT and data management skills, including the ability to challenge data quality, insights generated and results
- Highly collaborative; excellent stakeholder management skills with an ability to build consensus and drive change through others (including senior executives); comfortable with ambiguity
- Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple workstreams
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Sustainability-related qualification
- Knowledge of application of climate change in a retail context
- Experience of programming (e.g. in SQL/R etc) and complex data management
- Experience of practically addressing climate risk and resilience in a corporate setting
- Experience of embedding climate change related decision making in business as usual
The Partnership
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
