Climate Change Insights Lead

Company description:

Kō wai mātou? Who are we?

Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

Job description:

He aha te mahi? What's the role?

Sustainability is a critical element of our business strategy. Our Global Supply Chain is seeking to reduce supply chain emissions, including focused efforts on shipping (our largest individual contributor),move to more sustainable packaging, and build a resilient, agile global supply chain.

As Climate Change Insights & Delivery Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in helping Zespri achieve real reductions in global supply chain emissions and strengthen our resilience. You'll turn complex climate and regulatory requirements into actionable insights, enabling practical improvements in shipping, packaging, and logistics. Working closely with stakeholders, you'll help influence industry partners and drive collaborative sustainability initiatives. You'll also ensure our progress is clearly tracked and reported, supporting Zespri's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Emissions Reduction: Lead efforts to lower supply chain emissions by setting targets, ensuring compliance with international regulations, supporting low-emission shipping solutions, and identifying new technologies to further reduce emissions.
• Sustainable Packaging: Guide global packaging teams to meet environmental standards, support innovative projects to reduce packaging impact, and ensure accurate sustainability reporting.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Monitor supply chain risks and trends, and collaborate with leaders and partners to strengthen long-term resilience in operations and planning.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Build strong relationships with partners and industry bodies, advocate for low-carbon solutions, provide data-driven advice, and represent Zespri in sustainability forums.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement: Develop and maintain dashboards for emissions and sustainability, turn complex data into actionable insights, and drive ongoing improvements in climate performance.

This role is based out of our head office in Mount Maunganui.

Ko wai koe? Who are you?

You are a strategic thinker and sustainability champion, ready to collaborate across functions and influence change. You will also meet the following criteria:

• Tertiary qualification in environmental science, climate change, sustainability, engineering, agriculture, economics, law, or a related discipline (mandatory).
• Postgraduate qualification in environmental management, climate change, supply chain, or business administration (desirable).
• 5-7 years' experience developing climate change, packaging, or other sustainability-related targets, metrics, and action plans.
• Hands-on experience measuring, reporting, or ensuring compliance with emissions targets - ideally within shipping, logistics, or manufacturing.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis.
• Track record of effective collaboration.
• Solid understanding of international maritime regulations and how they apply to commercial shipping.
• Awareness of the latest trends and innovations in sustainable packaging design and regulation (desirable).
• Experience negotiating with suppliers or managing contracts to achieve sustainability outcomes (preferred).
• Background in working with shipping companies, freight forwarders, or logistics providers on sustainability projects (advantageous).

He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?

Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 900+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.

• Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
• FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH and the office.
• Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
• Two additional paid leave days for you to proactively support the moments that genuinely boost your mental, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing (Boost Days).
• Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
• Group Medical Insurance benefits.
• Convenient Mount Maunganui office location, with free onsite parking.
• Your daily dose of Vitamin C with free kiwifruit

Apply Now Applications close Sunday 16 November 2025.

At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process. You can reach out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at to have a chat to someone directly.