Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain in San Francisco, CA

Are you a purpose-driven leader with a passion for environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices? A leading natural grocery chain in San Francisco, CA is seeking a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) to drive its sustainability vision and embed environmental responsibility into every aspect of the organization. If you’re motivated by impactful change and thrive at the intersection of strategy, operations, and eco-conscious innovation, this role presents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

Lead Sustainability for a Mission-Driven Grocery Chain in San Francisco

Join a fast-growing, mission-driven natural grocery retailer in San Francisco as its next Chief Sustainability Officer. In this pivotal role, you will shape and execute the company’s environmental strategy—ranging from ethical sourcing and waste reduction to climate action and community engagement. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in corporate sustainability, cross-functional leadership, and a track record of measurable environmental impact. If you’re ready to champion sustainability at scale, this is your moment.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain

Sustainability Strategy & Vision:
Develop and lead the long-term sustainability strategy for the natural grocery chain, aligning environmental goals with the company’s mission and values. The Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain will drive initiatives focused on carbon neutrality, climate resilience, and circular economy principles.

Operational Integration & Execution:
Embed sustainability practices into all facets of operations—from sourcing and logistics to store operations and energy use. Ensure that environmentally responsible practices are scalable, measurable, and integrated into day-to-day decision-making.

Ethical & Local Sourcing:
Oversee procurement policies to ensure responsible sourcing of natural, organic, and local products. Collaborate with suppliers and farmers to promote regenerative agriculture, fair labor practices, and transparency across the supply chain.

Waste Reduction & Resource Efficiency:
Implement zero-waste strategies, reduce food waste, and champion innovative packaging solutions. Drive resource optimization efforts, including water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste diversion programs across all locations.

Regulatory Compliance & ESG Reporting:
Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Lead environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting efforts, including impact measurement, sustainability disclosures, and certifications such as B Corp or LEED.

Cross-Functional Leadership:
Partner with marketing, product development, operations, and HR teams to align sustainability goals with broader business objectives. Foster a culture of environmental responsibility and innovation across departments and leadership levels.

Stakeholder Engagement & Community Partnerships:
Serve as the external face of sustainability initiatives. Engage with customers, nonprofit organizations, local communities, and government entities to build partnerships that further environmental and social impact.

Team Development & Culture Building:
Build and lead a high-performing sustainability team. Promote awareness, accountability, and education throughout the organization, cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and purpose-driven impact.

Risk Mitigation & Climate Resilience:
Identify environmental risks and opportunities related to climate change, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory trends. Develop and implement strategies that enhance organizational resilience and long-term sustainability.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement:
Continuously assess emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in sustainability. Ensure the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain remains at the forefront of innovation in the natural grocery and sustainability landscape.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain, the client seeks a visionary and mission-driven leader who can integrate sustainability into every aspect of the business. You should be a passionate advocate for environmental and social responsibility, with the strategic insight and operational expertise to drive measurable impact. The ideal candidate will combine deep sustainability knowledge with the ability to lead high-performing teams in a purpose-oriented organization.

Demonstrated Leadership in Sustainability and ESG

The client is seeking a seasoned sustainability executive with a strong track record of implementing successful environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. As the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain, you should bring experience leading enterprise-wide sustainability programs, achieving measurable impact in carbon reduction, waste management, ethical sourcing, and community engagement.

Strategic Vision for Long-Term Impact

You must demonstrate the ability to develop and execute comprehensive sustainability strategies that align with the company’s mission, values, and growth plans. The client values leaders who can see the big picture—anticipating climate-related risks, regulatory trends, and shifts in consumer values—to ensure the grocery chain remains an industry leader in sustainable retail.

Expertise in Ethical Sourcing and Supply Chain Innovation

The ideal Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain will have experience managing supply chain sustainability, including partnerships with local, organic, and regenerative agriculture vendors. A background in ensuring transparency, traceability, and compliance across complex procurement systems is highly desirable.

Data-Driven Decision Making and Reporting

The client is looking for a CSO who can develop sustainability KPIs, track performance, and lead ESG reporting efforts with accuracy and transparency. Experience working with third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp, LEED, Fair Trade) and producing stakeholder reports is essential for this role.

Collaborative and Inspirational Leadership

Strong cross-functional leadership is crucial. You should be able to unite departments—including marketing, operations, procurement, and HR—around shared sustainability goals. The client values leaders who empower teams, foster a culture of environmental responsibility, and encourage innovation at all levels.

Engagement with Stakeholders and the Community

As the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain, your role will include external advocacy—engaging customers, community partners, government agencies, and NGOs to strengthen the company’s social impact. The ability to build lasting relationships and drive community-based initiatives is a key requirement.

Operational Know-How with a Purpose-Driven Mindset

The client seeks a leader who understands the nuts and bolts of running efficient, eco-conscious operations. From store energy management and packaging innovation to zero-waste goals, the successful candidate will combine operational savvy with a deep commitment to sustainable values.

FAQs About the Role – Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain

1. What are the key responsibilities of the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain?

As the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain, your primary responsibility will be to develop and execute the company’s overarching sustainability strategy. This includes reducing the environmental footprint, ensuring ethical and local sourcing, leading ESG reporting, promoting zero-waste initiatives, and aligning sustainability with operational efficiency. You’ll work cross-functionally to integrate sustainable practices across departments while serving as the public face of the company’s environmental mission.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?

The ideal candidate for the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain should have extensive experience in corporate sustainability or environmental leadership roles, ideally within retail, natural food, or consumer goods sectors. A deep understanding of sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, CDP, SASB), regulatory compliance, supply chain sustainability, and stakeholder engagement is essential. A degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business, or a related field is preferred; advanced degrees or relevant certifications are a plus.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for success in this role?

The client is seeking a visionary, purpose-driven leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. The Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain must possess exceptional communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to influence change across departments. You should be a proactive problem-solver, a systems thinker, and someone who inspires teams to embrace sustainable innovation at all levels.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?

This role presents exciting but complex challenges. As the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain, you’ll face issues such as balancing growth with sustainability goals, managing diverse stakeholder expectations, navigating regulatory changes, and leading climate-resilient practices. You’ll also need to work with operational teams to implement scalable, sustainable solutions across multiple locations while maintaining cost-effectiveness and compliance.

5. How does this role impact the company’s mission and growth?

The Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain plays a crucial role in shaping the company’s long-term success by embedding sustainability into its core identity. Your work will enhance brand loyalty, attract environmentally conscious customers, improve supply chain efficiency, and support the company’s growth as a socially responsible leader in the natural grocery sector. Your leadership will influence not just operations—but the entire company culture.

6. What is the company’s culture and work environment like?

The company prides itself on being mission-driven, community-oriented, and environmentally conscious. As a leader, you will be joining a collaborative, transparent, and agile organization where purpose is as important as profit. The Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain will be encouraged to foster innovation, promote accountability, and build a culture of continuous learning and eco-minded impact.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain in San Francisco, CA, you can expect a competitive executive compensation package that reflects your leadership impact, sustainability expertise, and strategic contributions. The remuneration structure for this role typically includes:

1. Base Salary

The base salary for a Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain varies based on company size, scope of responsibilities, and regional market benchmarks. In a mid-to-large-sized retail or grocery chain, the annual base salary typically ranges from $180,000 to $300,000, with larger or publicly funded companies offering even higher base pay for seasoned sustainability leaders.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses

Incentives tied to sustainability milestones and business outcomes form a key part of the compensation. Bonuses may be based on achieving ESG targets, operational efficiency improvements, emissions reduction goals, and stakeholder engagement success. These performance-based bonuses can range from 20% to 50% of the base salary.

3. Equity & Long-Term Incentives

To align your impact with long-term organizational growth, the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain may receive equity compensation such as stock options, RSUs (Restricted Stock Units), or performance shares—particularly if the company is investor-backed or publicly traded. These incentives reward long-term value creation through sustainable business practices.

4. Sustainability Incentive Programs

Some natural grocery chains offer custom incentive plans tied specifically to environmental, social, and governance performance. This may include bonuses or rewards for meeting net-zero targets, reducing packaging waste, or achieving new sustainability certifications.

5. Executive Benefits & Perks

As part of the executive leadership team, the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain is eligible for a robust benefits package, including:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) with company matching or pension contributions
Executive wellness programs
Professional development and sustainability leadership memberships
Commuter or eco-conscious travel stipends
Paid volunteer and community service time

6. Signing Bonuses & Relocation Assistance

For top-tier candidates, the company may provide signing bonuses or relocation support, especially given the high cost of living in San Francisco. These one-time incentives typically range from $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the candidate’s experience and the company’s scale.

Total Compensation Potential

Factoring in base salary, performance bonuses, equity, and benefits, the total compensation for a Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain can range from $250,000 to $600,000+ annually, with significant upside potential tied to impact and long-term results. Executives with a track record of transformational sustainability leadership may command even more in leading or high-growth organizations.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary sustainability leader with a passion for environmental impact and a proven record of driving ESG performance, we invite you to apply for the Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain role in San Francisco, CA. This is a unique opportunity to lead sustainability initiatives for a mission-driven, growth-oriented grocery retailer committed to ethical sourcing, waste reduction, and climate responsibility.

To apply, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter highlighting your experience in leading sustainability strategies, stakeholder engagement, environmental compliance, supply chain innovation, and cross-functional leadership. Showcase your success in embedding sustainability into business operations, achieving measurable impact, and building a culture of environmental accountability.

This is a high-impact executive role where you will directly shape the company’s sustainability vision, influence public perception, and drive long-term environmental performance. Apply today to take the next step in your purpose-driven career as Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain in San Francisco, CA.

For more information or to explore similar executive opportunities in sustainability, visit our Natural & Organic Food industry recruiters Page.

Job Category: Natural & Organic Food industry

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: San Francisco

Chief Sustainability Officer with a Natural Grocery Chain in San Francisco, CA