Sustainability is no longer a buzzword in the food and beverage industry, it’s a business imperative. With increasing pressure from consumers, regulators, and investors, companies are committing to greener practices across the entire supply chain. This evolution is creating ripple effects across the recruitment industry, prompting a demand for professionals who bring not just industry expertise but also sustainability know-how.
As a leading recruitment partner in the food and beverage sector, PE Global is at the forefront of this transformation, connecting companies with the right talent equipped to drive sustainable innovation.
In effect, sustainability is becoming a core competency rather than a niche skillset.
The Push Toward Sustainable Practices
Global concerns over climate change, resource scarcity, and waste are forcing food and beverage companies to rethink their operations. From farm to fork, organisations are investing in sustainable sourcing, carbon footprint reduction, water efficiency, ethical labour practices, and packaging innovation.
Some key developments include:
- Net-zero targets: Companies like Nestlé and Unilever have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.
- Sustainable sourcing: Transparency in ingredient sourcing is becoming a differentiator.
- Circular packaging: Moves towards biodegradable, compostable, or reusable packaging are becoming the industry standard.
- Waste management: Zero-waste production lines and food redistribution partnerships are scaling rapidly.
These transitions are not only technical and strategic, they’re fundamentally human. They require new roles, new skills, and new mindsets.
How Sustainability is Changing Hiring in the Sector
1. Rise in New Sustainability-Centric Roles
Organisations are creating or expanding roles that focus on environmental impact. Examples include:
- Sustainability Managers
- Environmental Compliance Officers
- Green Packaging Engineers
- Supply Chain Sustainability Analysts
- Carbon Accounting Specialists
These roles combine traditional industry knowledge with sustainability expertise, often demanding interdisciplinary backgrounds.
2. Cross-Functional Sustainability Expectations
It’s not just dedicated sustainability roles. Employers now expect:
- Operations teams need to understand carbon metrics
- Procurement managers are to evaluate suppliers based on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors
- Marketing teams need to be fluent in eco-labelling and green claims
- R&D departments to innovate with sustainable ingredients and packaging
In effect, sustainability is becoming a core competency rather than a niche skillset.
The Most In-Demand Green Skills in the Food & Beverage Sector
Based on trends observed by PE Global, the following skills are now highly sought after:
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Assessing environmental impacts of products across their lifespan.
- Supply chain traceability systems: Including blockchain or other data-led tools.
- Knowledge of sustainability standards: Familiarity with ISO 14001, B Corp, Fairtrade, RSPO, etc.
- Renewable energy integration: Particularly in production and logistics.
- Sustainable packaging development: Experience with biodegradable or recyclable materials.
Professionals who upskill in these areas will find themselves in high demand as the industry adapts to further changes.
How PE Global Supports Sustainability-Focused Recruitment
At PE Global, we work closely with leading food and beverage manufacturers and suppliers across Ireland and the UK, helping them adapt their workforce strategies for a greener future.
What sets PE Global apart:
- Sector knowledge: Our recruiters understand the complex technical requirements of sustainable food production.
- Talent network: We have access to a growing pool of professionals trained in green skills and compliance.
- Bespoke recruitment: We tailor our approach to match specific sustainability goals, be it reducing packaging waste or enhancing ESG reporting.
- Compliance expertise: Ensuring candidates meet both job-specific and environmental regulatory criteria.
Whether it’s placing an Environmental Compliance Officer with a major food manufacturer or helping a start-up find its first Head of Sustainability, PE Global ensures the right fit for both candidate and employer.
Why Companies Should Act Now
Failing to recruit for sustainability can mean:
- Falling short on regulatory compliance
- Losing competitive advantage to greener brands
- Missing out on eco-conscious consumer loyalty
- Struggling with internal culture change
Sustainable hiring isn’t just about reputation, it’s about building and developing future-ready teams. Businesses that start embedding sustainability into job descriptions, training, and succession planning now will be those that thrive in the years ahead.
Advice for Jobseekers: Positioning Yourself for a Greener Future
For candidates looking to thrive in this evolving sector, consider:
- Pursuing certifications in areas like environmental management (e.g. ISO 14001) or sustainability reporting (e.g. GRI Standards)
- Adding sustainability projects to your CV—even if they were internal initiatives
- Demonstrating impact with metrics (e.g., “helped reduce packaging waste by 30%”)
- Keeping up with industry news, particularly around ESG frameworks and green legislation
PE Global offers guidance and support for candidates aiming to position themselves as sustainable leaders in the food and beverage space.
Conclusion
The future of food and beverage is green, and the workforce must be too. As companies evolve their operations to align with sustainability goals, recruitment must evolve in tandem. This means hiring differently, thinking holistically, and valuing sustainability as a central pillar of business success.
At PE Global, we’re committed to helping businesses and professionals navigate this exciting shift, connecting purpose-driven talent with employers who are building a better, more sustainable future.
View our latest Food Industry jobs here and get in touch with the team on queries@peglobal.net if you have any further questions.
