Sustainability LEAD - LA

About the Role

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.

Summary 

The Sustainability Lead is responsible for ensuring that the facility operates in alignment with sustainable practices, with a strong focus on Zero Waste Certification.

Their main duties include:

1. Waste Management & Zero Waste Implementation

• 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.

2. Compliance & Audit Preparation

• 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.

3. Training & Employee Engagement

• 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.

4. Collaboration & Reporting

• 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.

5. Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• 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.

6. Corrective Actions & Issue Resolution

• 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.

Job Requirements

• Bilingual – Spanish and English (mainly spoken).
• Experience as a lead or supervisor.
• Basic knowledge of Google Docs.
• Preferred: TRUE Advisor (GBCI) certificate. Experience supporting TRUE Zero Waste projects (diversion tracking, waste audits, donation logs).

Required Skills/Abilities:

• • 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.

General Schedule and Workdays:

Full-time position - 5 Days - 8 hours. 

Available to work on the weekends.

Wednesday and Thursday OFF.