At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the environmental sustainability agenda and drive impactful change across a global business.
- Company: Join MM Flowers, a leader in the international cut flower market committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and external partners to drive systemic change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sustainability in a high-impact role with global influence.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in environmental sustainability and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
About the Company
MM Flowers is a leading international cut flower business, supplying many of the world’s major grocery retailers. Operating across the UK, Europe, Africa, and South America, the Group represents approximately 20% of the global cut flower market. Sustainability is fundamental to how we operate — from responsible sourcing and grower partnerships to innovation across our supply chain. With a strong growth trajectory, MM Flowers is committed to maintaining its position as an industry leader in environmental and social responsibility.
About the Role
We are seeking an ESG Lead – Environmental Sustainability to play a critical role in shaping and delivering MM Flowers’ environmental sustainability agenda. This is a senior leadership position within the ESG function, responsible for setting strategy, driving performance, and ensuring measurable progress across the Group, our strategically important suppliers, and in collaboration with our retail customers. You will be the technical authority across all key environmental topics, including decarbonisation, packaging, water, waste, and nature, and will work closely with senior leaders to address material risks and opportunities. This is a high-impact role within a complex, global business, offering the opportunity to influence change at scale. The role includes line management responsibility for the ESG Manager – Carbon & Data and ESG Manager – Water and Nature.
Responsibilities
- Act as the technical lead for MM Flowers’ environmental sustainability agenda across the Group, its strategically important suppliers, and in collaboration with retail customers.
- Work with the Head of ESG to set clear environmental sustainability targets, delivery plans, and KPIs across operations and the supply chain.
- Lead engagement with customer sustainability teams to address systemic challenges and ensure MM Flowers’ plans are aligned with, or exceed, customer expectations.
- Provide technical environmental and sustainability support to flower shareholder companies and key strategic suppliers to inform ESG strategy development and target setting.
- Oversee and continuously update environmental risk assessment and due diligence processes to meet regulatory and disclosure requirements.
- Conduct horizon scanning for emerging legislation and frameworks, including TCFD, CSRD, and related climate-risk commitments.
- Establish and lead collaborative projects to address the most significant systemic environmental risks.
- Work closely with Technical, Buying, and Operations teams to embed environmental considerations into business processes and reporting systems.
- Represent MM Flowers externally, building partnerships with NGOs, charities, trade associations, and multi-stakeholder initiatives to drive systemic change.
- Support customer engagement by contributing to sustainability communications, reporting, and presentations that showcase MM Flowers’ ESG approach and progress.
Required Skills
- Extensive experience in environmental or agronomic sustainability, ideally within horticulture, fresh produce, or global retail supply chains.
- Advanced stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge, and collaborate at all levels.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages.
- Strong experience using data to generate insight and inform decision-making.
- Proven track record of developing and leading collaborative, multi-stakeholder projects.
- Ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships across functions.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with global cut flower production or perishable supply chains.
- Experience working with external suppliers, NGOs, and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
- Strong collaboration skills, particularly across commercial teams.
ESG Lead - Environmental Sustainability in Huntingdon employer: MM Flowers
MM Flowers is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation within the cut flower industry. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we offer unique opportunities for our team members to lead impactful projects that drive environmental change on a global scale. Our collaborative work environment encourages creativity and engagement, making MM Flowers not just a workplace, but a community focused on meaningful contributions to both the industry and the planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ESG Lead - Environmental Sustainability in Huntingdon
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like MM Flowers that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like MM Flowers that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like MM Flowers. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like MM Flowers when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace ESG Lead - Environmental Sustainability in Huntingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with MM Flowers's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for ESG Lead - Environmental Sustainability.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research MM Flowers and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that MM Flowers is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of ESG Lead - Environmental Sustainability.
How to prepare for a job interview at MM Flowers
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with MM Flowers.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at MM Flowers.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of MM Flowers. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
