Sustainability LEAD - LA

CookUnity • Los Angeles, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sustainability LEAD plays a key role in ensuring that daily waste‑management procedures are executed correctly across the LA facility. This role supports the operational execution of recycling, compost, waste audits, and donation processes, helping maintain clean, compliant, and efficient waste‑diversion systems. The Zero Waste lead is responsible for carrying out daily walkthroughs, completing waste‑audit forms, preparing and coordinating donations, and ensuring correct sorting and disposal of materials in all kitchens and work areas. This role provides essential operational support to the facility by monitoring compliance, identifying contamination, and reinforcing correct waste‑handling behaviors among staff. Key responsibilities include executing daily waste audits, preparing food waste for donation or internal use, coordinating donation pick‑ups with partner organizations, maintaining Green Stations, and ensuring all supplies needed for proper waste diversion are available and correctly used. This role ensures that Zero Waste procedures are followed consistently and effectively, contributing to CookUnity’s environmental goals and operational priorities. The Sustainability Lead is responsible for ensuring that the facility operates in alignment with sustainable practices, with a strong focus on Zero Waste Certification.

Requirements

• Bilingual – Spanish and English (mainly spoken).
• Experience as a lead or supervisor.
• Basic knowledge of Google Docs.
• Experience supporting TRUE Zero Waste projects (diversion tracking, waste audits, donation logs).
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Supervisory and training skills.
• Understanding and awareness of Latino and American cultures.
• Hands-on, can-do attitude.
• Ability to take ownership, improve processes, and enhance results.

Nice To Haves

• TRUE Advisor (GBCI) certificate.

Responsibilities

• Oversee waste sorting, recycling, composting, and disposal procedures to ensure compliance with zero-waste goals.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve sustainability initiatives.
• Coordinate with waste management vendors to ensure proper collection, recycling, and composting processes.
• Track, analyze, and report waste data, identifying trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support and participate in sustainability audits, ensuring operational readiness.
• Implement corrective actions based on audit findings and follow through to resolution.
• Maintain accurate documentation and reports required for sustainability certifications and compliance.
• Organize and facilitate sustainability training sessions for employees and chef teams.
• Promote adherence to sustainable practices across all operational areas.
• Partner with the Sustainability team to develop and implement training initiatives.
• Foster a culture of environmental responsibility by leading through example.
• Collaborate closely with the Sustainability Supervisor to align priorities and implement best practices.
• Provide regular updates on sustainability performance, key initiatives, and operational progress.
• Support cross-functional teams in achieving sustainability objectives.
• Identify and implement innovative sustainability initiatives, with a focus on food waste reduction and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to support sustainability projects and required documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance environmental performance.
• Lead and support corrective action plans resulting from sustainability audits and operational findings.
• Address deviations from sustainability procedures and implement solutions to maintain compliance.
• Ensure sustainability-related daily tasks are completed effectively and consistently by the team.

Benefits

• CookUnity is an Equal Opportunity Employer . We are dedicated to creating a community of inclusion and an environment free from discrimination or harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed