Sustainability Leader

Description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Sustainability Leader, Supply Chain to build and lead Gifthealth’s supply chain sustainability program from the ground up. The Sustainability leader will design the program architecture, establish supplier engagement and evaluation frameworks, drive Gifthealth’s EcoVadis assessment and score improvement roadmap, and lead the development and execution of Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals across the supply chain. Reporting directly to the Director of Supply Chain, this person will work cross-functionally with Procurement, Operations, Finance, and executive leadership to embed sustainability into Gifthealth’s sourcing decisions, supplier relationships, and long-term supply chain strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Sustainability Program Design and Launch

• Design, build, and launch Gifthealth’s supply chain sustainability program, including its governance structure, supplier engagement model, data collection processes, and internal reporting cadence.
• Develop a multi-year sustainability roadmap for the supply chain that aligns with Gifthealth’s organizational values, business strategy, and stakeholder expectations.
• Establish policies, standards, and procedures that embed sustainability criteria into sourcing, procurement, and vendor management decisions across the supply chain.
• Define sustainability KPIs and reporting metrics, build the data infrastructure needed to capture and track them, and maintain a program dashboard that supports both operational oversight and executive reporting.
  
  

EcoVadis Assessment and Score Improvement

• Own Gifthealth’s EcoVadis program end to end, including initial enrollment, questionnaire completion, evidence collection, scorecard analysis, and year-over-year improvement planning.
• Develop and execute a structured action plan to improve Gifthealth’s EcoVadis score across all four themes (Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement), working cross-functionally to gather evidence and close gaps.
• Engage and guide key suppliers through the EcoVadis assessment process, helping them understand requirements, improve their own scores, and align with Gifthealth’s supplier sustainability expectations.
  
  

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Goal Development and Execution

• Lead the development of Gifthealth’s SBTi commitment, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baselining, target-setting methodology selection, and formal submission to SBTi for validation.
• Build and manage a Scope 3 supplier engagement program, working with key vendors to collect emissions data, set reduction expectations, and track progress against Gifthealth’s SBTi supply chain targets.
• Oversee annual GHG inventory calculations across all relevant scopes, partnering with Finance, Operations, and external consultants as needed to ensure accuracy and completeness of reported emissions data.
• Develop and maintain an annual progress report against SBTi milestones, identifying gaps and corrective actions needed to keep Gifthealth on track with its validated targets.
  
  

Supplier Sustainability Engagement

• Develop and manage a supplier sustainability assessment and engagement program, including a supplier code of conduct, sustainability questionnaire process, and tiered engagement model based on spend, risk, and strategic importance.
• Partner with the Procurement team to incorporate sustainability criteria into RFP processes, supplier scorecards, and contract terms, ensuring sustainability performance is factored into sourcing decisions.
• Build collaborative relationships with strategic suppliers to drive shared sustainability improvement, providing guidance, resources, and clear expectations to help them meet Gifthealth’s sustainability standards.
• Monitor and report on supplier sustainability performance, flagging risks related to environmental compliance, ethical sourcing, or regulatory changes that could affect Gifthealth’s supply base or program standing.
  
  

Reporting and Stakeholder Communication

• Produce clear, accurate sustainability reporting for internal leadership, including program status, KPI performance, emissions progress, and supplier engagement outcomes on a regular cadence.
• Support the development of any external sustainability disclosures, including client-facing sustainability summaries, RFP responses, and public-facing communications that reflect Gifthealth’s program commitments and progress.
• Educate and align internal teams on sustainability goals, program requirements, and their role in achieving them, building a culture of sustainability awareness across the supply chain organization.
• Stay current on emerging sustainability regulations, frameworks, and best practices relevant to the healthcare and pharmaceutical supply chain, and proactively bring recommendations to leadership as the landscape evolves.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business Administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree or MBA with a sustainability focus is a plus.
• Licensure/Certification: Not required. GHG accounting certification (e.g., GHGP-certified verifier), LEED, ISSP Sustainability Associate, or formal SBTi training is a meaningful plus.
• Experience: 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in supply chain sustainability, corporate sustainability, or ESG program management required. Candidates must have direct, hands-on experience building or managing an EcoVadis program and developing or executing SBTi goals. Experience in a healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences supply chain is strongly preferred.
• Skills:
• Deep working knowledge of EcoVadis, including the four-theme methodology, evidence requirements, scorecard interpretation, and score improvement planning.
• Strong command of SBTi target-setting methodologies and GHG accounting standards across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, including supplier engagement requirements for Scope 3 Category 1 (purchased goods and services).
• Proven ability to build and manage supplier sustainability engagement programs, including vendor assessments, code of conduct programs, and performance improvement processes.
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with experience building sustainability reporting frameworks, GHG inventories, and program KPI dashboards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams, engage suppliers, and present complex sustainability topics clearly to executive audiences.
• Self-directed with a demonstrated track record of building programs, writing policy, and driving measurable outcomes with limited existing infrastructure.
  

Desired Attributes

• Experience in a healthcare, pharmaceutical, specialty pharmacy, or life sciences supply chain where product integrity, cold chain compliance, and regulatory requirements intersect with sustainability goals.
• Familiarity with additional ESG reporting frameworks such as GRI, CDP, TCFD, or SASB, and an understanding of how supply chain sustainability data feeds into broader corporate ESG disclosures.
• Experience using sustainability or ESG data platforms (e.g., Salesforce Net Zero Cloud, Watershed, Persefoni, or similar tools) to manage emissions data and reporting workflows.
• Working knowledge of sustainable packaging standards, circular economy principles, or waste reduction initiatives applicable to pharmaceutical distribution and fulfillment operations.
• Experience engaging clients or external stakeholders on sustainability topics, including responding to sustainability-related RFP questions or supporting client audit requests.
  
  

Work Environment

• Location: Columbus, OH; on-site with flexibility for hybrid arrangements based on business needs.
• Schedule: Full-time; standard business hours with flexibility for supplier meetings, external stakeholder engagements, or reporting deadlines.
• This role involves regular cross-functional collaboration with Procurement, Operations, Finance, and executive leadership, as well as direct supplier and external partner engagement.
  
  

Key Essential Functions

• Must be able to remain stationary at a workstation for extended periods while managing program data, reporting, and stakeholder communications.
• Must be able to travel occasionally for supplier visits, industry events, or external stakeholder engagements as required by the role.
  
  

Employment Classification

Status: Full-time

FLSA: Exempt

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Gifthealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required of personnel. Gifthealth reserves the right to modify job duties or descriptions at any time.

Salary Description

$85,000-$120,000