Overview
Home. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and encouraging culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.
We are the UK’s Number One homewares retailer offering c85,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.
We are determined in our plans to increase further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we progress.
Join Dunelm’s sustainability team to support our Good & Circular strategy, focusing on the "planet" pillar. We are seeking a Senior Sustainability Specialist to lead our sustainability hardgoods strategy, collaborating closely with the commercial team and suppliers to meet our sustainability goals. You will lead a team responsible for verifications and sustainability in hardgoods.
This role is a hybrid opportunity based in our Syston Store Support Office in Leicester.
What you'll be doing
* Develop and implement sustainability strategies for hardgoods product categories.
* Collaborate with the wider Sustainability Team, including communications, Better Manufacturing, circularity, verification, and data colleagues, to support the hardgoods teams.
* Set material and product priorities to achieve Dunelm’s public sustainability targets.
* Create policies and guidance on materials, advising commercial teams on best practices and innovations.
* Assist departments in meeting responsibly sourced material targets.
* Develop engagement plans and build strong relationships with key hardgoods suppliers.
* Create educational resources for suppliers and internal teams.
* Manage and support direct reports, fostering problem-solving and team development.
* Represent Dunelm at events and working groups.
Reporting Structure:
* You will oversee the Verification team and the Product Sustainability Coordinator.
* You will report to the Senior Sustainability Manager.
What we'll look for in you
* Expert knowledge in sustainability topics such as product circularity, supply chain impact reduction, sustainable materials, biodiversity goals (e.g., TNFD/SBTN), lifecycle assessment methods, or carbon reporting.
* High data literacy, with the ability to identify trends and patterns in data and provide actionable insights.
* Proven project management skills, with a track record of delivering successful outcomes within deadlines and budgets.
* Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and develop direct reports.
* Excellent presentation skills, capable of explaining complex subjects to non-expert audiences.
* Experience in developing reports.
* Ability to work and communicate effectively with global supply chains.
Preferred Background:
* Experience in corporate sustainability departments.
* Educational background in geography, textiles, fashion management, or supply chain environmental management.
* Strong understanding of hardgoods materials and sustainable options such as FSC/PEFC, responsibly sourced aluminium/steel, etc.
* Experience with sustainability certifications and lifecycle assessments (LCAs).
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