Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer - CSSO

Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer - CSSO 

Our Company

 Affinity Petcare is a leading pet food company with direct operations in five European countries and indirect in more than 30. We are committed to delivering superior nutrition through sustainable & innovation driven trusted brands  

Your Role

 We are looking for an experienced Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer (CSSO) reporting to our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and part of Executive Committee. The CSSO will be responsible for developing and supporting company strategy implementation, with a specific focus in implementing sustainability goals. This executive role requires a visionary leadership with a deep understanding of market trends, competitive landscapes, and sustainable practices to drive the company's growth and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. Will drive growth, innovation, digital and sustainability -in collaboration with the different stakeholders of the company-; ensuring alignment with the Company’s vision and values. You will be based in Barcelona with a global responsibility across all the 5 different sites that Affinity has across Europe. You will count on a motivated and dynamic team grouped in 4 areas: (i) Strategy Managers supporting our Business Units to shape and deliver their strategic initiatives and transformation agenda, (ii) Sustainability in charge of coordinating our ESG goals embedded in our Vision and ambition together with our stakeholders and (iii) Digital Hub (iv) Marketing Services and Market & Consumer Intelligence.   

What you will do Main objectives

1.        Drive together with the CEO and the Executive Committee the company’s long-term growth, identifying and capitalizing on new market opportunities and trends in the pet food industry. Ensuring the financial viability and profitability of strategic and sustainability initiatives2.        Position the company as a leader in sustainability within the pet food industry by implementing comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies.3.        Support other areas in enhancing operational efficiency and drive innovation to improve product quality and reduce costs, creating stronger brands´ value proposition for the consumers and costumers.4.        Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and effectively communicate the company’s strategic and sustainability vision.5.        Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative team.6.        Identify and leverage opportunities as well as mitigate risks associated with strategic and sustainability initiatives

 Key Responsibilities:

1.        Strategic Planning and Execution (organic and inorganic): 

• Develop and implement the company's long-term strategic plan in collaboration with the CEO and the Executive Team.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, market trends, and competitive landscape to drive growth and profitability.
• Lead or support cross-functional teams to implement strategic initiatives and measure their effectiveness.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of strategic initiatives
• Conduct regular reviews and assessments of strategic projects and initiatives to ensure the alignment with agreed goals.
• Oversee the evaluation and execution of inorganic opportunities (mergers, acquisitions, divestures and strategic alliances) in collaboration with Agrolimen team; to accelerate business growth and competitiveness.
• Work closely with the Executive team/ department heads to ensure strategic alignment across all areas of the business.

2.        Sustainability Leadership: 

• Develop and implement the company's sustainability strategy aligned with our Vision and Agrolimen Group mandate, focusing on environmental stewardship, social responsibility and governance practices. Integrating sustainability into the company’s overall business strategy and operational practices. Embedding visionary leadership to drive sustainability initiatives across all departments and geographies, creating value for stakeholders.
• Anticipate regulatory trends and their implications. Ensure compliance with relevant sustainability regulations and standards across all operational countries. Assess risk management. Enact internal policies together with Legal and Compliance areas.
• Foster a culture of sustainability within the organization, promoting eco-friendly practices and reducing the environmental footprint of the company's operations and products according with our strategy.
• Coordinate external accreditation regarding ESG.

3.        Strategic and Sustainability performance measurement and reporting: 

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the progress of strategic and sustainability initiatives -in collaboration with other areas-. Work with financial department to monitor and report on the Company’s sustainability performance.
• Provide regular updates to the Executive Team and Board of Directors on strategic and sustainability performance.
• Work closely with the CFO to ensure strategic and sustainability initiatives are financially viable and deliver value to shareholders.
• Develop and manage budgets for strategic projects and sustainability programs.

4.        Digital Hub:

• Define key strategies to improve the user experience and our brands’ digital assets conversion.
• Lead the data analytics and modeling strategy in terms of Consumer, Market and Media Intelligence.
• Create the CRM Global Strategy to deliver high-quality consumer experience by providing the right message to the right person at the right time.
• Collaborate with IT to deliver business solutions.

5.        Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Engage with key stakeholders (i.e. Customers, Partners, Regulators, NGO’s and Associations) to communicate the company's strategy and sustainability efforts.
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders to enhance the company's sustainability profile.
• Represent the company in sustainability forums, industry groups and public events.
• Close contacts with key industry players and bankers to support the inorganic agenda of the company.

6.        Innovation and Change Management:

• Propose innovation in products, services (defining/ developing ecosystems), technology and processes to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.
• Promote openness towards developing an external ecosystem. Explore emerging sustainability technologies, solutions, and practices. Test the applicability and learn from experiments. Scale up adoption in the broader organization.
• Identify and implement best practices in sustainability, innovation and strategic planning within the Company.

7.        Team Leadership:

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team of strategy and sustainability professionals.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and continuous learning.

 

What we are looking for. Profile, soft skills and abilities:

 

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sustainability, Environmental Science, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in strategic planning, sustainability, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful strategic and sustainability initiatives.
• Strong understanding of ESG principles, sustainability reporting standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders -at all levels-, engaging them and leading cross-functional teams.
• Visionary thinker with a passion for sustainability and corporate responsibility.
• Results-driven with a focus on measurable outcomes.
• Strong ethical standards and integrity.
• Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic business environment.
• Financial acumen and experience in managing budgets and financial performance.
• Proficiency in English; additional European languages are a plus.