Head of Circularity 

The mission: For several decades, L'Oréal has proactively worked towards a sustainable and inclusive future, seeking to protect the planet’s beauty and empower communities worldwide. As the world’s largest beauty company, we recognise our unique position and responsibility to drive real, meaningful change and we are moving forward through the ‘L’Oréal for the Future’ (L4TF) programme. 

The programme is focused on three core pillars: Climate (CO2 reduction), Circularity (resource optimisation), and Communities (improving livelihoods). We are seeking a Sustainability lead, in charge of circularity business solutions to help steer L’Oréal UK & Ireland’s circularity commitments and accelerate our positive impact. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE 

Reporting to the Chief Sustainability Officer of L’Oreal UK&I, you will drive L’Oréal for the Future‘s mission forward by leading the following key priorities: 

Lead People & Drive the "No Waste" Agenda: 

Directly manage, coach, and develop the No Waste Supply Manager who is responsible for operationalising our zero-waste ambitions.. 

Oversee end-to-end stock optimisation processes, including monitoring, flagging, and influencing upstream processes that generate "bad stock" (from forecast accuracy to commercial returns). 

Define and scale diverse product remonetisation strategies (such as outlet solutions, family & friends sales, and donations) to champion a second life for our products. 

Orchestrate POSM (Point-of-Sale Materials) Optimization & Eco-Design:

Establish, inspire, and lead a high-performing cross-divisional and cross-functional team dedicated to POSM eco-design, optimisation, and decarbonization.

Collaborate closely with marketing, commercial, and retail teams across our 4 divisions to rethink temporary and permanent merchandising materials. 

Implement robust end-of-life management for POSM, directly contributing to our shared decarbonization roadmap with major retail partners. 

Scale the Take Back Scheme & Circular Projects: 

Champion and scale L'Oréal’s flagship Take Back Scheme, designing seamless customer journeys and back-end logistics for empty product collection and processing. 

Scout and secure innovative local partnerships, startups, and business models (e.g., closed-loop recycling) to make our commercial operations demonstrably more circular. 

Oversee EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) & Compliance: 

Direct compliance strategies with evolving local packaging and waste regulations. 

Consolidate actionable regulatory and eco-design insights to feedback directly to global product development and packaging labs, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design. 

Doing so, you will translate global and Europe Zone ambitions into local reality, ensuring strategies are optimised for the UK & Irish markets and pioneering local initiatives that set the standard for the wider Europe Zone. 

WHO YOU ARE 

An Experienced Circular Economy & People Leader: 

People Management: Proven experience managing and developing direct reports (specifically within supply chain, sustainability, or waste management functions). 

Strategic Circularity: A track record of launching and scaling circular programs (e.g., Take Back Schemes, recycling initiatives, refill systems, or product-as-a-service models). 

Circular Design & Materials: Solid understanding of eco-design principles, material science (recyclability, bio-based materials), and regulatory landscapes (such as UK&I EPR). 

Ecosystem Orchestration: Experience working alongside waste management entities, NGOs, startups, and retailers to establish circular infrastructure. 

Strategically, Financially & Business Minded: 

You are highly skilled at building robust, data-driven business cases that prove circularity is a driver of both commercial efficiency and brand equity. 

You are comfortable navigating complex business and finance cycles, understanding how to align sustainability goals with corporate P&L requirements. 

A Cross-Functional Collaborator & Influencer: 

You possess the presence and exceptional communication skills required to lead cross-divisional matrix teams, building consensus across varied commercial, marketing, and supply chain functions. 

You are comfortable presenting to and challenging diverse stakeholders, from interns up to the Executive Leadership team. 

A Resilient Change Maker: 

You are excited by the challenge of transforming traditional linear supply chains and retail practices into circular models, demonstrating the resilience and agility needed to navigate corporate environments. 

Strengthen Your Career Path 

At L'Oréal, we believe that diverse journeys lead to the most innovative solutions. This role offers a unique vantage point across the entire organisation, providing a powerful platform to broaden your expertise and strengthen your future career path. Whether you come from a commercial, brand management, finance, sustainability or operations background, we welcome the opportunity to see how your individual perspective can enrich our sustainability mission and your own professional growth. 

WHAT WE OFFER 

Our industry-leading award-winning benefits package shows how much we value our people. We know they're at the heart of L'Oréal's success, so we offer a fair and competitive package to help you thrive. 

Enjoy perks like money-saving offers, free mortgage advice, share options and an enhanced pension plan. Love our brands? You'll get up to 60% off iconic names like YSL, CeraVe, Armani, Kiehl's and Garnier! Because health matters, we offer private medical and dental insurance, discounted gym memberships, and onsite mental health support. We also provide enhanced family leave for all and up to 4 weeks of paid fertility leave, so you can prioritise what matters most.

Learning is in our DNA at L'Oréal. We'll help you master your role, build skills, and access top-notch leadership programs and monthly expert talks. And there's lots more too! 

WHO WE ARE 

L’Oréal is present in 150 markets on five continents. For more than a century, L’Oréal has devoted itself solely to ‘Create beauty that moves the world’; it is now the industry world leader with €29 billion consolidated sales. Together, we solve complex challenges at scale, while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet. Experience the excitement of agility to shape the future of beauty; where diversity and purpose come together to create meaningful impact. 

Our Corporate Division supports the 4000+ strong workforce in the UK & Ireland. It’s a fast-paced and dynamic environment when you’ll have visibility over our 4 Divisions and play an integral role in moving our business forward. Our founder Eugène Schueller once said that “a company is not walls and machines, it’s people, people, people”. Joining our corporate teams means joining the world leader in beauty, at the cutting edge of innovation. But above all, it means becoming part of a team of talented and inspiring people. 

HOW WE RECRUIT 

At L’Oréal, we take pride in creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and their contributions are valued. When we recruit, hire, train, promote or engage in any other employment practice, we are committed to being an inclusive employer regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, medical condition or disability, or any other protected status. When we look for talent, we welcome difference - different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and perspectives. The beauty we find in our differences gives us the freedom to go beyond. That’s the beauty of L’Oréal.