Head of Sustainability

Ceres is a leading developer of clean energy technology , electrolysis for the creation of green hydrogen and fuel cells for power generation. Its licensing model has seen it establish partnerships with some of the world's largest companies, such Bosch, Doosan, Shell and Weichai. Our ultimate purpose is to help sustain a clean, green planet by ensuring there is clean energy everywhere in the world. Sustainability is at the heart of our business, as integral to how we work as it is to our technologies.

Ceres' solid oxide platform technology supports greater electrification of our energy systems and produces green hydrogen at high-efficiencies as a route to decarbonise emissions-intensive industries such as steelmaking, cement, and future fuels. Ceres is listed on the London Stock Exchange ("LSE") (LSE: CWR) and is classified by the LSE Green Economy Mark, which recognises listed companies that derive more than 50% of their activity from the green economy.

Ceres is an inspiring place to work, and our people care deeply about our purpose, our technology, our partners, and each other. We offer employees the opportunity to collaborate creatively to solve complex problems and challenges, to experiment and innovate and push the boundaries of our technology, within a supportive culture and work environment that allows them to learn, grow, achieve great things and be the very best version of themselves.

Purpose of the role:

As Head of Sustainability, your role will be to shape and execute our sustainability strategy and provide strategic and technical guidance on sustainability projects and initiatives both in the UK and globally. In this role, you will engage, educate, influence, build partnerships with colleagues and suppliers, and work with external organizations to advance our sustainability frameworks, helping Ceres to achieve its purpose of enabling the world's most progressive companies to decarbonise at scale and pace.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be at the forefront of our corporate strategy, reporting to the Supply Chain Director and Management Board, influencing internal behaviours and decision making and maintaining our reputation as a sustainability leader
• In conjunction with the ESG Committee and Senior Team, and as our dedicated subject matter expert, provide leadership and guidance to shape and transform our approach to sustainability (roadmap management), focusing on sustainable procurement, environmental impacts, carbon reduction, supplier diversity, labour standards, modern slavery and human rights, and ethics
• Manage the development and standardisation of our approach to CO2e measurement, with our selected technology solution to:
  - Collate, analyse, record, and maintain our GHG emissions inventory (particularly Scope 3 emissions), whilst supporting our corporate SECR verified reporting
  - Measure and record the results of supply chain abatement initiatives, and regularly report on observations and findings, making recommendation for further improvement
  - Work with our selected technology partners to build and evaluate sustainability data repositories, reporting on observations and findings
• Drive the decarbonisation pathway in alignment with Science Based Targets. Contribute to our SBTi aligned strategy to achieve Net Zero by:
  - Investigating and understanding decarbonisation best practise, technologies, and innovations; and
  - Directing the work internally and with our suppliers to align our decarbonisation and abatement roadmaps, whilst assessing and promoting opportunities to deliver meaningful change at scale
• Support (or lead) the development and implementation of initiatives and interventions to reduce energy, water, and waste footprints, life cycle management, end of life and recycling, in line with business strategies
• Ensure supplier identification, on-boarding and monitoring processes incorporate relevant sustainability criteria, including ongoing compliance with the ten principles of the UN Global Compact, ISO20400 and relevant environmental, modern slavery, anti-bribery & corruption legislation
• Design and deliver process enhancements and ongoing education to ensure sustainability considerations are embedded in our processes including tools, workflows, and reporting
• Monitor identified and emerging risks, using self-initiative & teamwork to undertake research and interpretation to identify ways to mitigate and manage these

Communication and engagement:

• Work with other internal parties to support ESG initiatives and corporate goals:
  - Environmental Management Group (and maintenance of our ISO14001 certification), Energy Management Group (and maintenance of our ISO50001 certification) and Net Zero Working Group,
  - Preparation of our annual Sustainability Report (inc. SASB & TCFD reporting and materiality matrix)
  - Undertaking of annual risk assessments (notably high-risk minerals & modern slavery)
• Work collaboratively with the supply chain team, business stakeholders and suppliers to deliver our sustainability agenda, ensuring suppliers and colleagues have the data, insights and tools needed to effectively communicate and progress sustainability initiatives to meet goals and targets
• Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Lead internal communications regarding sustainability achievements, priorities, and challenges

Knowledge and skills required for the role:

• Excellent knowledge and experience of sustainable procurement. Awareness of key supply chain challenges around Sustainability and ESG, useful complementary experience extending to globalisation, product and process digitisation and supply chain strategy development
• Experience in running transformation initiatives or projects, setting, and successfully implementing strategies and/or experience of change management and delivering high-impact process improvement
• Experience of working with carbon measurement data or similar, with an established knowledge of the levers available to drive carbon abatement strategies across the business & supply chain (inc., manufacturing operations, raw material sourcing, energy strategies)
• Demonstrated an ability for analytical problem-solving and evaluation /interpretation of complex problems, incorporating data gathered from a variety of sources/software tools. Ability to translate data into actionable insights
• Degree qualified (in a relevant subject), ideally supported by several years’ experience in a similar role
• A strong communicator & collaborator, proficient in engaging with key stakeholders with varying competencies to influence cross-functional alignment, and suppliers to influence change
• Comfortable and assured working in a team or working under their own initiative and direction
• Passion for environmental stewardship and social responsibility
• Membership of IEMA (Practitioner, or above) and/or CIPS, or similar, would be welcomed

If you do not yet meet all these requirements, but believe you can grow to, we would welcome your application and the opportunity to discuss this with you.

In return we offer a fantastic working environment with hybrid / flexible working and a comprehensive benefits package. This includes Life Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, 25 Days Annual Leave, Share save Scheme and Pension along with enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption pay and Shared Parental Leave as part of our family friendly policy.