Environmental Sustainability Intern

Join Shoprite as an Environmental Sustainability Intern based in Brackenfell, Cape Town. This contract role requires a strong foundation in Environmental Management, Data Analytics, or related fields, proficiency in MS Office, and familiarity with digital tools like Power BI and SharePoint. Reporting to the Senior Sustainability Specialist, you will collect and analyse data, conduct environmental research, maintain project trackers, and assist with site assessments to drive impactful sustainability initiatives. This opportunity offers practical exposure to strategic and operational sustainability practices within a dynamic retail environment committed to ethical and environmentally responsible business operations. A valid driver's licence and the ability to travel to operational sites are essential. Apply strong analytical, communication, and project coordination skills to contribute to measurable environmental improvements and sustainability reporting.

What you'll do

• Support environmental sustainability projects by collecting, organising, and analysing data from various sources including stores and suppliers.
• Conduct research on environmental topics, legislation, and sustainability best practices to inform project development.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project trackers, action logs, and evidence files to ensure efficient project management.
• Assist with site visits and operational assessments, including data collection, observations, and reporting.
• Prepare concise research summaries, reports, and presentations for internal stakeholders to support informed decision-making.
• Coordinate information requests and follow up with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely completion of actions.
• Support invoice, purchase order, and project spend tracking related to sustainability initiatives as needed.
• Use digital tools such as Power BI and SharePoint responsibly, verifying data accuracy before sharing outputs.
• Participate in learning and development activities to enhance sustainability knowledge and project management skills.
• Demonstrate strong communication and organisational skills to contribute effectively to the sustainability team's objectives.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Waste Management, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related field (essential).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (essential).
• Experience with data analysis, demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with digital tools such as Power BI, Power Query, SharePoint, or sustainability reporting platforms (advantageous).
• Exposure to environmental sustainability practices, including waste management, recycling, climate change, biodiversity, or responsible sourcing, gained through coursework, research, volunteering, or prior work experience (advantageous).
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel to operational sites as required (essential).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and report-writing skills with the ability to clearly convey data and findings to various stakeholders.
• Organised and detail-oriented with a structured approach to planning, tracking, and delivering project activities.
• Proactive, curious, and eager to develop sustainability and project management skills through continuous learning.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a team, demonstrating professionalism, ethical conduct, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.