Mahrukh Ilyas

Quality, Sustainability & ESG professional with 8+ years of experience across multinational FMCG organizations. Expertise in ESG strategy, CSRD/CSDDD implementation, sustainability, responsible sourcing, human rights due diligence, quality management, and food safety systems. Leading food safety, quality, and environmental initiatives, including FSSC 22000 implementation.

Currently driving global ESG initiatives, supporting ESG governance, stakeholder engagement, social sustainability, and responsible value chain transformation. Proven ability to translate regulatory requirements into actionable strategies and lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen compliance, sustainability performance, and business resilience.

Sustainability & ESG Strategy Analyst (Global Programs) - British American Tobacco

(2024-03)

• Support sustainability and ESG initiatives across Own Operations while collaborating with the Agribusiness and product function, overseeing agricultural operations, farmer engagement, and responsible sourcing practices across the tobacco supply chain.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanisms for farming communities, addressing farmer concerns, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and supporting social impact and compliance objectives.
• Led the integration of social sustainability and human rights due diligence across agricultural value chains, advancing responsible agribusiness practices that support farmers, value chain workers, women in agriculture, and rural communities in alignment with CSRD and CSDDD requirements.
• Contribute to ESG reporting, environmental performance monitoring, and cross-functional sustainability projects, including resource efficiency, waste reduction, climate-related initiatives, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead the design and implementation of Sustainability and EHS document governance frameworks, including document revision, standardization, version control, and digitalization through SharePoint.
• Revamp and optimize the Sustainability SharePoint platform by creating a structured, single-view document repository and tracker, improving accessibility, governance, and user experience while delivering estimated cost savings of £10K.
• Support the design, deployment, and optimization of MSM digital solutions for environmental KPIs, including Scope 1 & 2 emissions, Water, Waste, and Health & Safety metrics.
• Integrate automated data acquisition systems and analytics tools to enable real-time monitoring of emissions, water, waste, and H&S performance data.
• Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to validate the functionality, accuracy, and reliability of digital tools and dashboards before implementation.
• Contribute to CSRD and ESRS enablement across environmental and social domains, ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements and disclosure expectations.
• Manage ESG data governance to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and assurance readiness for disclosures, including CDP submissions and reporting.
• Support leadership in identifying sustainability risks, gaps, and opportunities through data-driven insights, dashboards, and performance reporting.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement across Procurement, Sustainability, Operations, and Agribusiness & Products to ensure alignment with ESG priorities and business objectives.
• Contribute to the development of sustainability narratives, reports, and communication materials for internal and external stakeholders.

Quality and Environment Executive (CCI-PK HO) - Coca-Cola Icecek, Pakistan

(2022-11 - 2024-02)

• Identified and evaluated opportunities for renewable energy adoption and integration into the company's operations.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices related to environmental sustainability, recommending innovative solutions to enhance the company's environmental performance.
• Developed and implemented EMS to reduce the company's ecological footprint and meet regulatory requirements.
• Conducted environmental assessments and audits to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with local and federal environmental regulations.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including Operations, R&D, and Compliance, Logistics, procurement to integrate environmental considerations into all aspects of the business.
• Led initiatives to improve water and energy efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling programs.
• Oversaw implementation of sustainable practices, such as green packaging alternatives and eco-friendly production processes. i.e., 100% R-PET and Light weighting of preforms.
• Prepared and submitted environmental reports to regulatory agencies and communicated with authorities to ensure compliance.
• Development and execution of product compliance strategies for a wide range of beverages, including carbonated drinks, juices, and functional beverages.
• Monitor and interpret local, national, and international regulations pertaining to the beverage industry to ensure full compliance with all relevant laws and standards.
• Successfully obtained regulatory approval for several new beverage products, facilitating market entry and expansion.
• Monitor and analyze industry trends, customer feedback, and competitor activities to identify opportunities for innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
• Played a vital role in launching Fuzetea (Peach and Lemon), Roar (Alpha brew and Midnight fever).
• Coordinating with regulatory authorities for new product registration right from development till the commercial launch.

Quality Assurance Engineer - Coca-Cola Icecek

(2021-11 - 2022-10)

• Led quality and environmental control efforts for the beverage production process, overseeing the quality of raw materials, in-process production, and finished products.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive quality assurance procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards.
• Led execution of all new product and packaging trails, conducting retention studies and release of the products.
• 95% closure rates of all Market & Distribution complaints at Level 1 whereby ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Reporting and tracking of complaints related to poor quality of products, received from distributors, direct sales operations and other territories.
• Maintained accurate documentation of quality-related activities, including non-conformances, corrective actions, and change controls.
• Responsible for Microbiology Lab Analysis, PT and all compliance requirements regarding microbiology as per Kore.
• Responsible for RGB, PET and Hot fill Line operation and Preform Manufacturing operations and their quality compliance.
• Responsible for Maintaining Manufacturing Quality Index and Customer Complaints Ratio as per defined BP.

Food Chemist - Intertek Caleb Brett, Pakistan

(2020-12 - 2021-10)

• Testing and reporting of food, Water, Chemical, Cosmetic samples.
• Testing, reporting of received samples and recording & data documentation involved in the above testing work.
• Involved in R&D activities under supervision of departmental head.
• Take part in PT sample testing and reporting.
• Perform duties in other departments as assigned by senior.
• Maintains documentation, equipment, and work areas in a neat, orderly, and safe condition.
• Implemented ISO-17025 and EPA certification in Lahore Intertek Office.

Research Officer in District Food Laboratory, Punjab Food authority - Punjab Food Authority, Lahore

(2019-04 - 2020-11)

• Handling water section and dairy section and performing testing of all parameters of water and dairy commodities including its microbiological parameters and checking its compliance with regulations of Punjab food authority.
• Managing and construction of SOPs for water section and dairy section.
• Manage and share out water and dairy reports and handle internal inquiries.
• Implemented 5S and Maintaining GLP of laboratory.
• Assisted in accreditation of laboratory with ISO-17025.

M.Sc. (Hons) - Agriculture (Food Science & Technology) - University of the Punjab, Lahore (2016-01 - 2018-12)

B.Sc. (Hons) - Agriculture (Food Science & Technology) - University of the Punjab, Lahore (2012-01 - 2016-12)