Sustainability Manager - Emory University

Salary: $80,000 - $85,000 / year

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Short Description

As the Sustainability Manager at Emory University, you will lead and advance sustainability initiatives across a dynamic collegiate dining program, driving measurable improvements in waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, and environmental stewardship. This highly collaborative role partners closely with culinary and operational leaders, university stakeholders, students, and local food producers to support Emory University's ambitious sustainability philosophy.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate professional who enjoys combining data, relationship-building, and hands-on program management to create meaningful impact.

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation, tracking, and continuous improvement of waste reduction initiatives across campus dining operations.
• Collect, analyze, and report sustainability data related to waste diversion, food recovery, local purchasing, and other key performance indicators.
• Review and validate local and sustainable purchasing data to ensure reporting accuracy and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Executive Chefs, Chef Managers, and operational leaders to review sustainability metrics and develop action plans that improve environmental performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local farmers, producers, vendors, and Bon Appétit's Regional Forager to expand local and sustainable sourcing opportunities.
• Serve as the primary Bon Appétit representative on Emory University's Sustainable Food Committee and collaborate with campus sustainability partners.
• Manage relationships with external organizations, including the Working Farms Fund and other local sustainability partners.
• Coordinate student engagement initiatives, including Weigh the Waste campaigns, sustainability education, and awareness programs.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student interns supporting waste audits, sustainability reporting, and data collection efforts.
• Support Emory University's sustainability reporting initiatives, including STARS reporting and other institutional environmental goals.
• Monitor emerging sustainability trends, best practices, and regulatory developments to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Promote Bon Appétit's sustainability commitments through education, collaboration, and engagement with associates, students, and campus leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Food Systems, Hospitality Management, Business, Nutrition, or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience developing and implementing sustainability programs within foodservice, hospitality, higher education, or operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of food waste reduction strategies, sustainable sourcing, responsible procurement, and environmental stewardship initiatives.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting sustainability data and translating metrics into actionable operational improvements.
• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders, including culinary teams, operational leaders, students, university partners, vendors, and community organizations.
• Experience leading sustainability education, engagement, or behavior change initiatives is highly preferred.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other reporting or data management tools.
• Self-motivated, organized, and passionate about creating measurable environmental impact.

What We're Looking For:

We welcome individuals with strong, relevant experience in sustainability programming, food waste initiatives, sustainable sourcing, environmental reporting, foodservice operations, or related fields. Success in this role comes from a passion for sustainability, strong analytical skills, and the ability to build partnerships that drive meaningful change. If you're excited about helping shape a more sustainable future while making a lasting impact on one of the nation's leading universities, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1552268

Bon Appetit

JoEtta Barnes