Green Mission Specialist

Whole Foods Market is the world's leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 310 stores in North America and the United Kingdom.  

Position Overview:

The Green Mission Specialist will create new programs; refine and continue existing programs for recycling, composting, sourcing environmentally responsible business and operational alternatives for all facilities.  Works with Coordinators, Store Team Leaders, Regional Vice Presidents and the Regional President to continually find responsible solutions and continue our commitment to environmental stewardship, growth, profitability & excellence.

Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate green building design implementation and 3rd party certification including but not limited to energy and water efficiency, sustainable materials and resources, and best in class or innovative practices.
2. Coordinate energy conservation measures, awareness programs, upgrades, benchmarking and reporting for existing stores.
3. Research and coordinate renewable energy projects for existing and new stores including but not limited to fuel cell, solar, and wind technologies.
4. Work with and coordinate implementation of real time energy monitoring and remote building control systems.
5. Research and advise on energy usage, energy markets and where applicable execute energy purchases.
6. Manage recycling, composting, and waste removal programs including the execution of contracts, team member trainings, as well as benchmarking and reporting (mandatory & voluntary).
7. Coordinate water conservation measures, awareness programs, upgrades, benchmarking and reporting for existing stores.
8. Consult on chemicals, sanitation, and integrated pest management best practices in sustainability.
9. Manage refrigeration and energy technicians, controls, monitoring, and reporting systems to maintain and ensure regulatory compliance.
10. Consult on green packaging and sustainable retail practices to create efficiencies, maintain compliance (i.e. FTC Green Guidelines), and ensure leadership in the marketplace.
11. Work with Green Mission Leadership team to build and maintain Green Mission infrastructure (teams) in stores.
12. Work with the Green Mission Leadership team to evaluate the multi-faceted Green Mission performance of the stores and facilities.
13. Consult on sustainability marketing, community outreach, related customer inquiries, and related partnerships.
14. Collaborate with community groups, schools, local waste management and other partnerships, on local initiatives, events, set up sponsorships or host recycling drives, seminars, and fairs.
15. Facilitate Team Member and customer education and training - provide materials to training coordinator and marketing team for regional and store based classes; ensure information covers initiatives, standards and successes, providing press releases and interviews.  Work with trainers and teams to create Green Mission education and training programs for orientations, etc.
16. Work with Operations and Support Teams as well as trainers to develop and deploy Energy & Resource Awareness Trainings.
17. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelors' degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Management, Sustainable Design/Engineering or related subject preferred and/or 2-5 years of related experience in environmental field preferably related to retail; or equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Be adept in eco-literacy, local and national environmental issues, and sustainable business practices
3. Be proficient in EPA and other code compliance related matters to advise region (clean air-refrigerants; waste disposal-lamps/ballasts; storm water management, etc) and coordinate with Risk Management team where applicable
4. Ability to work with a variety of teams and professionals including Whole Foods Market's store operations and product teams as well as internal and external design professionals, consultants, etc.
5. High energy, enthusiastic - a passion for Whole Foods Market's Core Values
6. Excellent team building skills
7. Outstanding communicator both written and verbal
8. Goal oriented with a strong track record of meeting or exceeding targets
9. Extremely organized and able to multi task many priorities regarding multiple sites and projects
10. Able to present at Meetings/Seminars/Consortiums
11. Be available for functions/projects in non-conventional time slots-(nights and weekends)
12. Available to travel locally and nationally
13. Have a deep rooted passion for sustainability, environmental stewardship and implementation of it

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements of the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.