Senior Manager Sustainability (Hybrid)

Topco Associates is seeking a Senior Manager, Sustainability for their Transparency team in Itasca, IL. This hybrid role involves working in the office three days a week and remotely two days. The candidate will manage sustainability initiatives, collaborate on strategic decisions, lead research, and educate stakeholders on sustainability practices. A bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience in a related field are required.
About the position

Topco Associates is currently seeking a Senior Manager, Sustainability to join our Transparency team in Itasca, IL. This position will be a hybrid role, with the successful candidate conducting work in our Itasca office three days per week and virtually two days per week. The Senior Manager, Sustainability, will refine and manage Topco's sustainability initiatives. This role is crucial in providing input to strategic decisions and collaborating with others both within and outside the organization to prioritize activities, implement processes, and set targets that support sustainability strategies. The successful candidate will lead research and analysis efforts, make sound recommendations, and launch important sustainability initiatives. Additionally, the role will involve educating Associates, Members, and Suppliers on sustainability topics, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and engaged in sustainability practices. Topco's mission is to provide solutions for our member owners, regional retailers, and wholesalers, helping them achieve a competitive advantage in the markets they serve. We aspire to develop high-performing teams that resemble the diversity of our members' shopper communities to drive greater innovation and creativity, ultimately enhancing our business results and the value Topco provides to its membership. The Senior Manager will work closely with leaders of key functional areas and other stakeholders to develop strategies and drive the execution of efforts that achieve our 3-year strategic sustainability goals and objectives. This includes providing oversight and managing the execution of sustainability program initiatives, understanding the sustainability landscape through industry research, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Responsibilities
• Work closely with leaders of key functional areas as well as other stakeholders to develop strategies and drive the execution of efforts that achieve our 3-year strategic sustainability goals and objectives.
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• Provide oversight and manage the execution of sustainability program initiatives.
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• Understand the sustainability landscape and identify opportunities through industry research, monitoring best practices, and following market trends.
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• Develop measurement systems and maintain tools to benchmark and track progress against sustainability goals.
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• Engage with third party associations and/or industry partners and develop/manage those relationships.
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• Collaborate with Brand, Marketing and Communications to highlight sustainability initiatives, results achieved, and to promote broad awareness internally and externally.
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• Identify educational training opportunities and create/administer sustainability training sessions for Associates, Members and Suppliers.
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• Some travel may be required.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility, Environmental Science, or other Life Sciences.
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• Five to seven years of progressive experience in a sustainability role within a consumer-packaged goods (CPG), retail, or wholesale organization.
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• Strong understanding of current sustainability challenges and initiatives.
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• Experience and proficiency using Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.
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• Excellent problem-solving skills.
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• Passion for leading transformative changes.
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• Ability to work cross-functionally in driving solutions.
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• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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• Outstanding organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload.
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• Ability to persuade and influence without having direct authority.

Nice-to-haves
• Responsible sourcing experience is a plus.

Benefits