Direct Wines is one of the world's largest direct to consumer wine businesses. From pioneering the first 100% recycled wine bottle, to moving to green energy at the company sites, Direct Wines is constantly looking for ways to improve the way it conducts business.
Direct Wines was founded nearly 50 years ago, with the goal to find great winemakers, and bring their products to customers at affordable prices. The company has operations across the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand, where it operates under a number of household names.
The desire to become a more sustainable business has been driven by employees and the Laithwaite family and consequently, the company has partnered with Acre to appoint its first Head of Sustainability. The Board has already approved a sustainability strategy, coupled with a net-zero pledge, which you will be responsible for reviewing and implementing; the strategy covers all topics in sustainability, from environmental issues including packaging, energy, transportation and vineyard operations, to social issues which may be encountered in the company's supply chain.
Your responsibilities will be to:
Maintain a clear understanding of the sustainability space (especially climate change and global warming) in an environment where regulation and science continues to evolve
Shape and maintain the Group's sustainability strategy and sustainability action plan
Proactively co-ordinate the plan across the three operational businesses in the UK, US and Australia
Provide quarterly updates to the Direct Wines Board on strategic issues as well as progress against the action plan
Utilise customer and market insight to adjust the strategy where appropriate and keep a close watching brief on competitors, key players in the drinks sector and notable leaders in industry
Partner and influence stakeholders from outside the business including key industry bodies and maintain memberships to industry groups that the company sees as appropriate
Specifically work with the Group Buying Director to assist the communication of the strategy and action plan to key suppliers (for example, vineyards and producers) and organize support for key suppliers when required.
Help shape new customer propositions that will underpin the sustainability strategy
To be successful in this role, you may have the following skills:
Previous experience in a corporate sustainability function with experience across a number of sustainability topics
Experience with developing sustainability strategies and operational plans
A good knowledge of supply chains in the consumer goods industry
Track record of influencing change and delivering business value through a sustainability role or similar function
If you are looking for a new challenge, where you can deliver meaningful change with one of the world's oldest consumer products, please apply directly, or contact Tom Townsend at Tom.Townsend@acre.com.
