Head of Product & Supplier Sustainability

RS Group

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded leader to spearhead the strategic development and global delivery of our two flagship sustainability programmes: Better World Products (BWP) Supplier ESG Action Plan This role will shape the next phase of both programmes, driving both ESG and commercial outcomes to drive strategic progression and stakeholder value creation. It is a global role, working across all three RS regions (EMEA, Americas, APAC) and our global brands. You will lead a direct team of two but influence a much larger and broader matrix of stakeholders across Product & Supplier Management, ESG, Digital, Go‑to‑Market, Procurement and Ethics & Compliance. We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds — product and supplier management, marketing, sustainability, responsible business or commercial leadership. What matters most is a results‑oriented, commercially astute, collaborator and influencer across our global matrix with exceptional leadership qualities who embodies our RS values: One global team, delivering brilliantly, doing the right thing to make every day better.

Requirements

Strong commercial leader with end‑to‑end experience across product, supplier, commercial or customer‑facing roles.
Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills; able to build strong relationships internally and externally.
Proven matrix leader in complex global organisations; able to align and mobilise cross‑functional and regional teams to drive change in ambiguous environments
Strong understanding and passion for ESG, with the ability to guide programme development with strategic integrity and regulatory awareness.
Excellent presentation and communication skills – able to deliver compelling narratives and insights to internal and external stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, ensuring clarity, trust, and alignment.
Credible with customers and suppliers; able to translate technical sustainability concepts into simple, compelling messages.
Strong analytical and data‑driven mindset; able to develop metrics, reporting and insight‑led strategies.
Experience developing or managing sustainable product ranges and understanding of market offerings.
Experience in sustainability roles within product, supplier or procurement environments.
Product and/or supplier management experience with business development or value‑creation skills.
Knowledge of sustainability regulatory requirements including Green Claims Code, EU sustainable product principles and relevant international standards.

Responsibilities

Lead the end‑to‑end strategy for BWP to maximise its value for RS, customers and suppliers.
Partner with Product & Supplier, Sales and Commercial teams to define and deliver BWP growth targets (range expansion, customer adoption, and revenue contribution), embedding sustainability into core commercial decision-making .
Lead the customer teams to develop the BWP go‑to‑market strategy, including digital experience, pricing & margin, customer and supplier marketing, segmentation and sales enablement.
Oversee ongoing development of BWP claims‑based framework and launch of BWP Solutions to drive further product and supplier identification, verification and onboarding to expand the BWP range and grow to 100k by 2030.
Oversee relationships with sustainability consultants supporting framework development and regulatory alignment.
Ensure framework alignment with emerging sustainability and product compliance regulations such as the Green Claims Directive and industry best practice to avoid greenwashing and maintain industry standard and customer trust.
Shape the long‑term roadmap toward product lifecycle assessment and environmental footprint model, including product carbon footprint labelling. Partner with ESG team to develop Scope 3 roadmap and deliver ongoing improvements in customer and stakeholder reporting.
Grow sustainable product data within the Product Information Management system and utilise AI to manage efficiently.
Develop short, medium‑ and long‑term metrics, external targets and monthly ESG and commercial performance reporting in collaboration with ESG data team. Use insight to drive decision making and progress.
Partner with the ESG team to accelerate globalisation, governance, data development and reporting — including product carbon reporting from 2026 onward.
Lead global strategy, policy, process development and delivery of Supplier ESG action plan to limit third party risk and create greater value for RS and our suppliers in our go-to-market offer
Lead the change leadership to ensure this is fully embedded across all RS procurement teams globally: branded and RS PRO product suppliers, indirect procurement, RS Integrated Supply and new acquisitions.
Collaborate with Group Ethics & Compliance and Procurement Governance teams across RS to develop and implement RS Group’s supplier due diligence and management approach in line with current and emerging legislation with ongoing horizon scanning
Develop strategy and oversee delivery of education and engagement programmes for RS category and supplier partners to drive action on key ESG topics including carbon reduction, SBTi alignment and collection of primary Scope 3 data, EcoVadis/Sedex assessments, BWP alignment, packaging improvements and region‑specific priorities.
Strengthen supplier experience and customer trust through consistent, scalable, value added ESG initiatives
Influence change with stakeholders at all levels across the global matrix: ESG, Product & Supplier Management, Digital, Go‑to‑Market, Ethics & Compliance
Lead and develop a direct team of two (BWP Lead and Supplier ESG Lead).
Lead cross‑functional and regional matrix working groups for BWP and Supplier ESG.
Represent RS with customer, suppliers and wider industry and be RS’ thought leader and authority on product, supplier and customer ESG topics