Sustainability Lead (Pharmaceutical)

Our client is a leading Irish Pharma organisation with operations in Ireland, UK and US. Their product ranges focus on the OTC market mainly in the Eyecare / Ophthalmology area. They are seeking to appoint a new role; Sustainability Lead who will work across all their countries (Ire, UK, US) and will develop and implement sustainability strategies, policies, and programmes across the business.

The Sustainability Lead will be responsible for promoting sustainability awareness, conducting assessments, and driving initiatives to improve environmental performance and reduce our clients carbon footprint. The SL will work very closely with internal departments to develop & move forward our clients sustainability plan. The SL will also work closely with their external partners to ensure they are also moving forward with their sustainability goals. This role will report to the CEO and Supply Chain Director.

Role/Responsibilities:

Strategy Development, Implementation & Assessment

• Take forward the current sustainability strategy and ensure its execution is according to our clients 3-year strategy.
• Brainstorm new ideas and areas that our client can consider in their sustainability strategy.
• Undertake assessments to ascertain our clients sustainability performance.
• Identify areas where our client could improve its sustainability practices.
• Work with external partners to tackle different parts of our overall sustainability agenda.
• Participate in inspections and producing sustainability reports with research-backed recommendations.
• Ensure legal compliance, keeping up to date with relevant legislation, and advising where necessary.
• Ensure all elements of our products and packaging are compliant with sustainability standards for our markets and customers.
• Undertake continuous auditing to ensure all measures are implemented and supporting relevant departments to make necessary changes.
• Monitor and evaluate progress, collect feedback from colleagues, and refresh policies to ensure our client remains on track for its profitability and sustainability goals.
• Track and analyse sustainability data to identify areas for improvement and report progress to key stakeholders.
• Formulate and execute sustainability strategies, policies, and programmes aligned with organisational goals and industry best practices.

• Produce our clients annual Impact Report working internally and externally with collaborators.
• Liaise with different stakeholders from senior management to external partners and customers.
• Design and coordinate training sessions to update employees on new procedures and practices.
• Operate as a point of contact within the business for all sustainability-related questions.
• Work with relevant teams on marketing strategies to promote our clients sustainability projects.
• Host external workshops to inform various audiences of our clients sustainability initiatives

• Research the latest technologies to help cut or reduce carbon emissions.
• Find suitable offsetting solutions that align with our clients values.
• Identify and implement innovative sustainability solutions and drive a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation.

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, sustainability management, engineering, or business.
• Project management qualification e.g. Prince2.

• 3 years+ proven experience in sustainability management, environmental compliance, or related fields.
• Proficiency in sustainability assessment tools, carbon footprint analysis, and other relevant software.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills are essential for engaging stakeholders and driving change.
• Ability to analyse complex data, identify trends, and develop data-driven recommendations.
• Ability to plan, organise, and execute projects effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to lead and influence others to adopt sustainable practices both internally and externally
• Familiarity with environmental legislation, sustainability standards (e.g., ISO 14001), and other relevant frameworks.
• 3 years+ proven experience in project management