National Quality & Sustainability Manager

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 Coles Liquor team work across three leading brands (Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars), each with their own unique offering and customer base. With a network of more than 930 stores and ultra-convenient online sites, delivering on our commitment to provide accessible drink solutions for every occasion.

About the role

Join a team that’s shaping the future of quality, sustainability, and innovation across Coles Liquor. As our National Quality & Sustainability Manager, you will lead the strategy, governance and execution of quality assurance, ethical sourcing and sustainability programs across a diverse and fast‑moving liquor portfolio. Your work will directly influence product integrity, customer trust, and the long‑term ambitions of one of Australia’s most dynamic retail businesses.

You will also:

• Develop and deliver Coles Liquor’s Quality Assurance and Sustainability strategy, ensuring safe, legal, high‑quality products for our customers
• Own the end‑to‑end supplier quality framework, including product safety, site compliance, claims management, innovation, and complaint insights
• Lead supplier auditing programs, first production attendance, and ethical sourcing governance across a 700+ supplier network
• Oversee internal QA programs, compliance with FSANZ labelling requirements, and all legislative change management
• Manage the ELB (Exclusive Liquor Brands) product lifecycle, including new product development, slow/distressed stock, and storage condition controls
• Lead Liquor product withdrawals, recalls and “Code Red” incident management with pace, clarity and control
• Drive sustainability across supply chains, ensuring recyclability commitments and continuous improvement are met
• Coach, develop and uplift capability within the Quality team

About you and your skills

You are an experienced quality, technical or regulatory professional who thrives in a complex stakeholder environment and brings both strategic vision and hands‑on leadership. You combine technical food safety expertise with sound commercial judgement, scientific acumen, and the ability to influence at senior levels. Above all, you are passionate about delivering safe, ethical, sustainable and high‑quality products to customers.

You’ll also ideally have:

• Technical Knowledge
  • HACCP – Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points
  • GMP – Good Manufacturing Practice
  • CFMSR – Coles Food Manufacturing Supplier Requirements
  • BRC / BRCGS Standards
  • FSANZ – Food Standards Australia New Zealand
  • Science‑related tertiary qualification (Food Science, Technology, or similar)
• Experience & Capability
  • Experience in a Quality Assurance, technical or product safety role
  • Exposure to new product development and process engineering
  • Understanding of ethical sourcing protocols and supplier auditing
  • Proven team leadership across multiple complex projects
  • Exceptional stakeholder management, including senior leadership engagement
  • Background in Corporate Affairs or Regulatory Affairs (highly regarded)
  • Strong communication, problem‑solving and risk‑management capability

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: 174939

Employment Type: Full time

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