Sustainability Lead

**About Oppy**

**Grow Our Tomorrow.** Oppy is a leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world. As one of North America’s top produce companies for over 165 years, we bring over 100 varieties of produce from 27 countries to 1,300+ retailers in North America and throughout the world. As much as agriculture has shaped the past for humankind, Oppy’s efforts shape its future by sustainably providing families with healthy, safe and fresh produce to create a better quality of life for all. Our progressive team is called to a higher purpose that raises the economic wellbeing of families and communities who work the land.

Recognized as one Canada’s Best Managed Companies (for the last 22 years) and a BC Top Employer, our diverse team of dedicated professionals collaborate and make connections across our locations throughout North and South America. We owe our success to our adaptability, innovative and entrepreneurial approach, our commitment to our people, and the incredible relationships we build. We are looking for talented people who love a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you can grow your skills and career in a sector with abundant opportunity. Grow _**your**_ tomorrow with us, today.

**The Opportunity**

Are you a results-driven, dynamic and pragmatic leader that is experienced in working cross-functionally to execute a diverse portfolio of sustainability projects? Join us as our **Sustainability Lead**, where you'll play a key role in shaping and executing the company's sustainability initiatives across the company. Collaborating with teams such as Grower Relations, Sales, Marketing and Supply Chain, you'll help craft a sustainability strategy that aligns with our long-term goals while mitigating risk. As a strategic partner to senior leaders, you'll guide decision-making, ensuring that sustainability is embedded into the core of our business. In this diverse role, you will take the lead in project management, tracking milestones, and delivering results, while engaging with growers, retailers, and other key stakeholders. Plus, you'll stay ahead of the curve by advising on legislative and market trends that impact our sustainability efforts.

**Please Note**: In-office attendance is required for the first **6-months** of training and the position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule following the training period depending on team needs.

**Responsibilities**
- Leads the development and execution of an overarching company sustainability strategy, pillars, and associated systems in collaboration with senior leaders, aligning initiatives with strategic goals to drive measurable impact.
- Supports the company’s innovation strategy, acting as a project lead in key grower innovation projects, collaborating with internal functions to create detailed implementation plans for assigned projects.
- Establishes a robust project management framework for agreed upon sustainability and innovation projects, setting clear goals and performance metrics to track and optimize effectiveness.
- Leads data collection and consolidation for retailer sustainability surveys, with a focused emphasis on the Walmart Project Gigaton, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
- Drives transparency and accountability by managing comprehensive sustainability reporting across the company including, but not limited to, greenhouse gas emissions, packaging impact, food waste and social responsibility volume and certifications.
- Partners with Category leaders and Grower Relations to provide actionable guidance to growers, facilitating a clear path for product entry into the marketplace while supporting sustainable practices.
- Acts as the primary point of contact for social compliance certifiers such as Fair Trade, Equitable Food Initiative, Fair Food Program, Ethical Charter Program, etc. and guides growers as appropriate in maintaining certification requirements.
- Supports a culture of sustainability and innovation by spearheading a comprehensive internal communication strategy, educating the wider organization on strategies and projects.
- Collaborates with the Packaging and Private Label Project Manager to recommend sustainable packaging trials, driving innovation and reducing environmental impact.
- Proactively monitors legislative changes with sustainability or social implications, alerting senior management to potential risks and opportunities for the company and its grower base.
- Develops and presents practical and compelling business-focused presentations on key sustainability initiatives, issues or topics for key stakeholders, acts as an ambassador for the company in sustainability and innovation.
- Identifies and recommends innovative projects that enhance grower sustainability, advancing both environmental and business goals.
- Leads the planning and communication efforts surrounding Dole’s sustainability reporting, ensuring alignment with Oppy’s goals and timely data sharing.
- Drives exe