Circularity Transition Lead

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

Our Sustainability team is working together to create a better future for all Australians. Together, we’re focused on making a positive difference through our three strategic pillars of climate, nature and circularity. These areas align with our most material issues and stakeholder expectations and are the areas we aim to have the most significant impact. We’re also committed to supporting human rights, diversity and inclusion, health, safety and wellbeing, community support, and providing healthy, safe and affordable food. Together, we’re making sustainability part of everything we do at Coles.

About the role

We’re looking for a Circularity Transition Lead to help drive the evolution of our circular economy strategy, moving beyond reactive, compliance-led initiatives into proactive, future-focused solutions that deliver real commercial and sustainability value.

Reporting into the Circularity Strategy Manager, you’ll play a critical role in shaping and delivering our circularity agenda. This includes supporting strategy development, leading key programs, and embedding circularity across the business through strong stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision making.

This is a unique opportunity to bring fresh thinking to circularity at a time when the industry is shifting. We’re seeking someone who can combine ambition, energy, and commercial acumen to help translate circularity into practical, scalable business outcomes.

You’ll also:

• Support the development of our circularity strategy through research, insights and stakeholder engagement
• Translate strategic priorities into practical initiatives, delivery plans and business actions
• Lead and coordinate circularity programs (e.g. soft plastics, batteries, food waste and beyond)
• Drive cross-functional delivery across commercial, supply chain and sustainability teams
• Strengthen data, reporting and performance tracking for circularity initiatives
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to build capability and drive adoption

About you and your skills

You’re someone who brings fresh perspective and commercial thinking into sustainability. You don’t need to be the most technical expert in the room, but you understand how technical sustainability work connects to real business outcomes.

You’re energised by the opportunity to build, influence and challenge the status quo, and you’re just as comfortable talking ROI as you are circular economy principles.

You’ll also ideally have:

• Proven experience in sustainability, circular economy, packaging, extended product responsibility, product stewardship or related fields
• Strong understanding of how commercial businesses operate (e.g. ROI, trading cycles, costings, investment decisions)
• Translate complex or technical concepts into clear, actionable business plans
• Proven experience delivering cross-functional projects in fast-paced, complex environments
• Proven experience and confidence in engaging and influencing a broad stakeholder group, from technical experts to commercial leaders
• Exposure to product lifecycle management, waste/resource recovery, or FMCG/retail environments
• Proactive, curious and motivated to challenge traditional approaches to circularity
• Strong project management capability and attention to detail

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 189924

Employment Type: Full time

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