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.
Compensation
All final pay rates will be determined by candidates experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.
Pay Range for this position
$19—$21 USD
If you’re interested in this role, please submit your application, and if we think you might be a fit, we'll get in touch with you. Thank you for your time!
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.
A quick note for all candidates We’ve recently seen an increase in recruitment scams across the industry, and we want to make sure you (and your data) stay safe while applying to CookUnity. We also want you to know that we take this seriously — sometimes, as part of our process, we may ask for a brief “proof of humanity” to confirm that we’re connecting with a real person, not an impersonator. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself and know what to expect from us:
Apply only through our official channels. All open roles are listed on our official careers page: careers.cookunity.com
Our recruiters are real people — and easy to verify. You can always find them on LinkedIn with verified profiles. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out to us on our official LinkedIn Company Page.
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