Sustainability Innovation Manager
Tesco UK · Welwyn Garden City
Our estimate of how close this job is to decisions about what protein a business sources, specifies, buys and serves. How we score
Why this role matters
How close this job is to real sourcing and menu decisions.
Tesco sells meat, dairy, eggs and seafood at a scale few organisations can match, and this role is explicitly tasked with finding and building the business case for alternative proteins, reformulation and other food system innovations that could shift some of that volume toward plant-based alternatives. Whoever holds this pipeline decides which novel ingredients and alt-protein pilots get taken seriously enough to reach a business case for investment and scaling, and which quietly stall. It's an innovation and influencing seat rather than a buying or spec-setting one, so the lever is indirect: you shape what gets proposed and piloted, not what finally goes on shelf. But sitting inside Tesco's sustainability function, building relationships with start-ups and suppliers and learning how commercial cases get made for more sustainable diets, is a credible step toward the more decisive category or reformulation seats that follow, where the protein mix a retailer sells and the standards behind it get decided.
Where this role can take you
What this job teaches you, and the jobs it can lead to.
What you'd build
- Innovation pipeline management
- Horizon scanning and trend analysis
- Business case development for sustainability initiatives
- Partnership-building with start-ups and suppliers
- Exposure to alt-protein and reformulation innovation
Where it can lead
- Sustainable Nutrition Manager
- Plant-Based Category Manager
- Head of Sustainable Sourcing
These roles typically set category targets for plant-based ranges or sustainable sourcing criteria that directly shape how much animal-derived versus alternative protein a retailer buys and sells.
About the role
Tesco is hiring a Sustainability Innovation Manager to identify, assess and accelerate innovative solutions supporting its Planet Plan, spanning climate, nature, agriculture and sustainable diets. The role translates emerging trends, technologies, ingredients and business models into opportunities with environmental, social and commercial value, and builds and manages a sustainability innovation pipeline across short, medium and long-term horizons. Responsibilities include identifying emerging sustainability trends, technologies and business models; scoping and evaluating opportunities against sustainability impact, customer relevance, commercial value and scalability; leading or supporting innovation projects, pilots and proof-of-concepts from concept through to recommendation or launch; building partnerships with suppliers, start-ups, universities and industry bodies; identifying opportunities to accelerate healthier and more sustainable diets through novel ingredients, alternative proteins, reformulation and other food system innovations; and developing business cases and recommendations for investment and scaling, including measuring and communicating impact. Candidates need experience in sustainability, innovation, strategy, product development or related disciplines within retail, food, FMCG, agriculture or consumer goods, plus a proven ability to translate emerging trends into commercial opportunities. Other requirements include strong stakeholder engagement and partnership skills, experience developing business cases and strategic proposals, the ability to balance sustainability objectives with commercial priorities, experience across food systems, sustainable agriculture, climate, nature or packaging agendas, knowledge of sustainable diets, nutrition, ingredient innovation and future food technologies, experience working with start-ups and innovation ecosystems, understanding of sustainability frameworks and impact assessment, expertise in horizon scanning and trend analysis, experience managing innovation pipelines and programmes, strategic thinking, workshop facilitation, data analysis skills, and strong communication skills. The role is hybrid, based in Welwyn Garden City, full-time and permanent at 36 hours a week, with a colleague benefits package including an annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary, 25 days holiday plus a personal day, private medical insurance, enhanced family leave, and wellbeing support. Applications close 06 November 2026.
We added this one ourselves, from the employer's own advert.
Key terms to include in your CV and cover letter
What this employer is asking for, in their words. Applications are often screened by software looking for exact phrases, so if these describe your experience, use their wording.
- sustainability innovation pipeline
- horizon scanning
- trend analysis
- alternative proteins
- reformulation
- stakeholder engagement
- partnership management
- business case development
- innovation portfolio management
- proof-of-concept delivery
- sustainable diets
- ingredient innovation
- impact measurement
- workshop facilitation
- data analysis
How to position yourself
The language that works with hiring managers for this kind of job.
Frame your interest around commercial scalability and risk - alternative proteins and reformulation as a way to de-risk supply chains, meet climate and nature targets, and respond to shifting consumer diets, rather than as an ethical position. Build fluency in food-carbon footprinting and protein-transition literacy, and be ready to talk about translating trend insight into a business case with commercial and sustainability value side by side.
You apply directly with the employer. We just link you to their advert, and we don't see anything you send them.