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.

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

• 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

• 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.

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

• 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)