Location
Manchester city centre, hybrid working

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£35,000 to £37,500 plus great benefits

About the Role
We are seeking an Environmental Compliance Manager to join our Property team and ensure Co-op meets all its legal duties under environmental regulations. This is a brand-new role offering significant scope to shape how environmental risk and compliance are managed across our entire property portfolio, including trading stores and non-trading sites. You will design and deliver compliance frameworks, monitor performance, and provide assurance to senior leaders that our environmental risk management is robust and effective. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact, improve processes, and help us do the right thing for our colleagues, communities, and the planet.

Environmental compliance is not just about ticking boxes; it is about protecting people, places, and our reputation. You will guide the business through new legislation, champion best practices, and ensure effective management of risks such as waste, pollution, and contamination. Working closely with property teams, sustainability colleagues, and external specialists, you will keep our sites safe, legal, and future-ready.

Key Responsibilities
- Monitor environmental risk across the property portfolio through audits and inspections to ensure legal and Co-op standards are met
- Act as a trusted advisor balancing compliance risk with commercial priorities and escalate issues when necessary
- Investigate breaches of environmental compliance (e.g., fuel leaks, waste streams, contamination, noise pollution), identify root causes, and implement solutions to prevent recurrence
- Work with enforcing authorities to resolve issues and avoid prosecution
- Guide the business through new environmental legislation by introducing procedures and risk assessments that drive continual improvement
- Produce clear, consistent reports for senior leaders including trend and root cause analysis
- Horizon scan for emerging environmental risks and ensure proportional management
- Support sustainability initiatives by embedding compliance throughout the property lifecycle
- Contribute to risk registers and champion a compliance-focused culture across the business
- Collaborate with RHSE Risk and Safety teams to manage risk effectively and share best practice
- Work with the Head of RHSE to develop and review an annual environmental compliance roadmap

Why Co-op?
At Co-op, we are owned by our members, which means we put people and communities first and are powered by purpose. When you join us, you join a movement, not just a job. We want you to thrive and offer an annual bonus based on personal and business performance, 28 days holiday rising to 32 with service plus bank holidays, a pension with up to 10% employer contributions, access to a subsidised onsite gym at our Manchester HQ, coaching and training to support your career development, and the Wagestream app giving you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn.

Experience
Experience in an environmental compliance role or a qualification in environmental science is required. Knowledge of environmental management systems and experience delivering compliance projects is essential.

About you
You will have strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. Excellent communication skills and confidence working with colleagues at all levels are important. A proactive, self-motivated approach with the ability to influence change is required.

Qualifications
A relevant qualification in environmental science or a related field is preferred to support your experience in this role.