At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead human rights initiatives and develop strategies to mitigate risks in Sainsbury’s supply chain.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leader in sustainable retail with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, private healthcare, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in human rights and sustainability while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience in human rights or sustainability within retail.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Expected start date in role: 6th July 2026
Tasks:
- Lead human rights initiatives and develop strategies to identify, mitigate and prevent human rights risks in Sainsbury’s supply chain.
Company:
Join Sainsbury's, a leader in sustainable retail with a collaborative culture.
Benefits:
- Enjoy discounts, flexible working, private healthcare, and performance bonuses.
Why this job:
Make a real difference in human rights and sustainability while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
Qualifications:
Degree-level education and experience in human rights / sustainability within retail or manufacturing.
Other info:
Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal development and career growth.
At Sainsbury's, everything in our stores starts in Sainsbury's Commercial. From product, proposition, packaging and price, to whether it meets our sustainability commitments or simply tastes great, our team is responsible for all food, non-food and clothing items available in Sainsbury's stores, online and on demand. It's an incredibly fast-paced environment where people are in it together and aren't afraid to take risks.
Joining Sainsbury's as a Human Rights Manager offers the unique opportunity to lead the development and implementation of our Group Human Rights Strategy, making a significant impact in mitigating human rights risks within the food and clothing sectors. You will collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders, drive key initiatives aligned with our human rights and broader sustainability goals, and shape the future of sustainability within a customer-focused business.
What you'll do:
- Lead the development and implementation of the human rights strategy in one of our key business units, working closely with our Ethical Trade Managers, Environment specialists and broader stakeholders.
- Engage with internal and external stakeholders to further develop and support the implementation of our Human Rights strategy.
- Work closely with Commercial and Technical teams to implement and manage key initiatives aligned to our Human Rights strategy.
- Build cross-functional relationships with key suppliers and lead on the facilitation of supplier collaborations and delivery of supplier programmes.
- Determine our position on key issues by compiling and drafting approaches, policies and standards for internal sign-off.
- Lead on key human rights topics and represent Sainsbury’s with relevant external stakeholders, including industry groups, government, investors and NGOs.
- Contribute to external reporting and disclosures on behalf of the Group, such as our modern slavery statement and annual Plan for Better reporting.
- Keep up to date with evolving legislation, Government action plans, industry activity and innovation.
Who you are:
As a Human Rights Manager at Sainsbury's, you are degree-level educated and bring experience managing human rights and ethical risks, ideally within the food or clothing sectors. You have strong experience of stakeholder management and engagement, working strategically with suppliers and with Technical and Commercial teams to implement key initiatives, and you are motivated by mitigating human rights and ethical risks, building strong business resilience. You understand relevant networks and stakeholders in human rights and offer specialist knowledge across ethical issues, such as discrimination risks, living wages/incomes and management of incidents in the supply chain.
You are experienced in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders and budgets, are comfortable with risk assessment and prioritising activity amid competing priorities. You can influence, train, coach and provide ongoing support to internal and external stakeholders. You are a strong communicator on complex and nuanced ethical and sustainability topics, are confident in interpreting the impact on a business like Sainsbury’s, and can deliver results at pace within a large, customer-focused business while working flexibly across an evolving agenda.
Essential Criteria:
- Proven current experience in a sustainability or commercial role, ideally within a retail or manufacturing organisation, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on human rights and ethical strategies.
- Demonstrable experience developing and implementing human rights programmatic work and initiatives, translating ambition into practical delivery plans.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience engaging cross-functional internal teams and external partners.
- Solid understanding of wider sustainability risks and resilience topics relevant to food and/or clothing value chains.
- Track record of managing complex projects end-to-end, including budgets, prioritisation, reporting, and clear written communication.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you'll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. We take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working.
When you join our team, we'll also offer you an amazing range of benefits, including colleague discount, pensions scheme, life cover, performance-related bonus, annual holiday allowance, private healthcare, and more.
Sustainability Manager - Human Rights (12m FTC) in London employer: Sainsbury's
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustainability Manager - Human Rights (12m FTC) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current Sainsbury's employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Sainsbury's values and recent initiatives in sustainability and human rights. Show us you’re not just passionate but also informed about what we stand for!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our goals at Sainsbury's. We want to hear how you can contribute to our mission of making a real difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Sustainability Manager - Human Rights (12m FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Sustainability Manager role. Highlight your experience in human rights and sustainability, especially within retail or manufacturing, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: We want to see how you’ve engaged with various stakeholders in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve built relationships and influenced others to drive human rights initiatives.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Sainsbury's.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Human Rights Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and legislation around human rights, especially in the retail sector. Being able to discuss current issues and how they relate to Sainsbury's operations will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in previous roles. Whether it's suppliers or internal teams, being able to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and influence others is key for this role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Complex Projects
Think of specific projects you've managed that involved multiple stakeholders and budgets. Be ready to explain your approach to prioritising tasks and how you ensured successful delivery. This will highlight your project management skills and your ability to handle complexity.
✨Align with Sainsbury's Values
Familiarise yourself with Sainsbury's commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but a place where you can truly make an impact.