Water & Waste Stewardship Manager

Our Sustainability team sits within the Supply function, working cross‑functionally across our global operations. We turn ambition into action; shaping how our brands, products and operations work to protect, heal and nurture the world we all share. From tackling climate change and reducing our environmental footprint, to driving circular design, responsible sourcing and social impact, our work helps ensure that cleaner, healthier living is accessible for everyone.

This newly created role will own the operational water and waste agenda, providing strategic direction and oversight to drive stewardship programmes across our manufacturing sites. Partnering with Regional and Site Directors, EHS and relevant site teams, you will identify opportunities, advise on challenges and co‑create high‑impact strategies that are owned and delivered through the operations team. Your focus will be on driving best‑practice initiatives that step‑change our operational water and waste stewardship performance in priority locations.

Location & travel: This position is based in the UK (Slough) and requires up to 40% travel

• Lead the assessment of water and waste related risks and opportunities in the Supply chain and direct operations, including identifying and monitoring sites in water stressed regions
• Oversee the water and waste stewardship initiatives contributing towards our Water Positive and waste efficiency ambitions, leading the design, development and integration into operational plans and activity
• Partner with internal teams e.g. Corporate Affairs, RPS, EHS, Engineering and Quality to develop and advance water and waste stewardship programmes in priority locations
• Translate complex data and technical details into actionable recommendations for water and waste efficiency and reduction, developing clear and transparent communications to inform decisions/ investment.
• Advocate for sustainable innovation, recommending new technologies, tools, and methodologies that can improve water and waste performance
• Support senior leaders to drive accountability on priority water and waste stewardship programmes and targets
• Develop and deliver water and waste stewardship playbook and training
• Collaborate with the EHS and RPS compliance team to ensure consistent standards and knowledge sharing
• Continuously monitor industry trends and regulatory changes, ensuring Reckitt remains ahead of approaches to water and waste stewardship and industry best practices
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including regulators, industry bodies, clients, and partners, to strengthen the company’s water and waste stewardship efforts and foster meaningful collaborations.
• Partner with Sustainability Reporting team to improve data management, performance tracking, controls and reporting to improve visibility, accuracy and support water and waste related disclosures and benchmarks, e.g. CDP

• Solid understanding and experience of working in supply function
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in environmental engineering or sustainability leadership, ideally within a global manufacturing, FMCG or industrial setting
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategies that deliver measurable business and environmental outcomes across multiple geographies
• Experience of working with NGO partners
• A track record of successful project management, delivering complex sustainability programmes on time and within budget

• Deep technical knowledge of water and waste stewardship, management and treatment strategies, best practices and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• A degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field is highly desirable. A postgraduate qualification or professional certifications in environmental engineering or sustainability management is beneficial
• A strategic thinker with the ability to balance long‑term sustainability goals with short‑term business priorities
• Solid operational understanding
• Results‑driven, collaborative and with a ‘can‑do’ attitude
• Open‑minded and creative…