Sustainability Manager
Rotterdam Area | Manufacturing
(phone number removed) EUR per year, depending on qualifications and experience
Our client, a global manufacturing organisation, is continuing to invest in sustainability as a core pillar of its long-term strategy. To support this growth, they are looking to appoint a Sustainability Manager who will play a key role in driving decarbonisation initiatives, strengthening environmental performance, and embedding sustainability across international operations.
This is a highly visible, global role offering strong exposure across the business and the opportunity to build and shape sustainability programmes in a practical, operational environment.
The Role
Reporting to the Sustainability Director, the Sustainability Manager will work at the intersection of operations and strategy, helping to translate sustainability ambitions into tangible outcomes across multiple sites.
The position is based in the Rotterdam area, with a hybrid working model (three days on site in the Nieuwekerk area and two days from home). The role also involves international travel approximately five to six times per year to support site audits and engage with regional teams.
Key responsibilities include:
Driving decarbonisation initiatives, with a strong focus on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reduction
Supporting the development and implementation of Scope 3 initiatives across business units
Partnering with operational teams to identify and deliver sustainability performance improvements
Supporting ESG reporting through KPI tracking, data collection, and impact measurement
Building and embedding Environmental Management Systems across sites, including gap analysis, documentation, and audit readiness
Engaging stakeholders across functions and geographies to drive awareness, alignment, and accountability
Supporting internal communications and helping business units build their sustainability identity and engagement
Contributing to the development of a structured pipeline of sustainability projects and tracking progress
First 6 Months Focus
Building strong relationships across the business and establishing credibility with key stakeholders
Developing a deep understanding of operations through the lens of Scope 3 emissions
Assessing current sustainability performance and identifying opportunities for improvement
Supporting the evolution of environmental management frameworks across sites
Environment and Context
Global footprint with 20+ operational locations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia
Strong leadership commitment to sustainability, with continued investment and support from senior management
A growing sustainability function with access to an international network of professionals
Opportunity to work closely with both operational teams and central functions
A role created with scope to build, improve, and shape processes rather than maintain the status quo
This is a hands-on position suited to someone who enjoys working in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same, and where impact is driven through collaboration and pragmatic decision-making.
Candidate Profile
The client is looking for a proactive, commercially aware sustainability professional who can operate effectively in a complex, international manufacturing environment.
Key requirements:
Experience in sustainability, environmental management, or a related discipline
Strong experience in operational or industry-facing roles, or a background in sustainability consulting
Demonstrated experience in decarbonisation programmes, including Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across functions and cultures
A practical and realistic approach to sustainability, with a focus on achievable outcomes
Strong analytical and data skills, with experience in tools such as Excel and Power BI
Comfortable working in a cross-functional, international environment without direct reports
Additional considerations:
Dutch language skills are strongly preferred due to the need to deliver training and engage local teams
Candidates without Dutch may still be considered if they bring strong relevant experience; additional languages such as Spanish or Portuguese would be beneficial
A background in manufacturing, industrial environments, or operational roles is highly advantageous
What's on Offer
Competitive salary with an attractive bonus scheme linked to company and personal performance
Mileage reimbursement and travel support (including NS business card)
Strong focus on learning and development, with opportunities for career progression
Exposure to global operations and senior stakeholders
A role with genuine ownership and the opportunity to make a measurable impact
Vacancy Reference: PR/(phone number removed)
Vacancy Owner: Ally Bliss | (url removed) | (+31) (phone number removed) | (+31) (phone number removed)