Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core focus of this position is maintaining regulatory compliance under the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED) for biofuels. You will be responsible for the daily management of mass-balance records, ensuring every unit of renewable fuel is tracked accurately from source to sale. This involves rigorous data entry, reviewing third-party contracts, and preparing comprehensive documentation for annual audits. Beyond administrative oversight, you serve as a policy advisor , translating complex legislative updates into actionable business strategies. You will coordinate with various internal and external stakeholders to produce compliance reports and ensure that the company’s biofuel trading activities meet the standards of voluntary certification schemes. International mobility is also part of the mandate. You will likely travel for on-site audits , training sessions, and stakeholder meetings, ensuring that your theoretical knowledge of the regulations is backed by a practical understanding of the supply chain operations.

Q: How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a technical specialist with a proven track record in the sustainability of biodiesel or renewable fuels. A deep understanding of the mass-balance principle and the specific requirements of European environmental directives is essential for success in this role from day one. On the technical side, advanced Microsoft Excel skills are non-negotiable. You must be comfortable handling large datasets, building complex spreadsheets for tracking, and performing detailed audits. Fluency in English is required for international coordination and policy interpretation, while a degree in Environmental Science, Law, or Engineering would provide a strong theoretical base. Soft skills are equally important; the role requires an organized and detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple deadlines without compromising on data integrity. You should be a collaborative team player who is comfortable working independently in a remote-reporting structure while maintaining high levels of accountability.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is primarily focused on carbon accounting and traceability within the biofuels sector. The main goal is to ensure that the renewable fuels traded by the company meet the strict greenhouse gas saving criteria required by law. This involves calculating and verifying the carbon footprint of products across their lifecycle. Governance and compliance management are also major pillars. You will focus on the 'G' of ESG by ensuring that all commercial contracts and supply chain movements align with international ethical and environmental standards. This ensures the company avoids 'greenwashing' and maintains its legal license to operate in the renewable energy market. Furthermore, the role touches on stakeholder transparency . By producing accurate and verified sustainability reports, you provide the data that allows customers and partners to trust the environmental claims of the products, thereby supporting the broader social and economic move toward energy transition.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges will be the rapidly changing regulatory landscape . Keeping up with the nuances of EU directives and local Estonian implementation requires constant vigilance and the ability to adapt compliance processes quickly to prevent any disruption in trading operations. Managing data integrity across the supply chain can also be difficult. Relying on external partners for accurate documentation and ensuring that mass-balance files remain error-free requires meticulous attention to detail and occasional troubleshooting when discrepancies arise between different stakeholder reports. Lastly, the geographical distance from the Global Head of Biofuels in Geneva means you must be highly self-motivated. Balancing the need for autonomy with the necessity of keeping the global team informed requires disciplined communication and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal day-to-day physical supervision.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with reviewing the latest policy updates from the European Commission to assess their impact on current renewable fuel stocks. You would then spend several hours updating mass-balance files, cross-referencing incoming delivery documents from suppliers against trade records to ensure every liter of biofuel is accounted for. In the afternoon, you might join a video conference with the Geneva-based team to discuss upcoming audit schedules or to review compliance clauses in a new supply contract. You could also spend time drafting a sustainability report for a key stakeholder, translating technical data into a format that demonstrates the environmental value of the company’s biofuel portfolio. The day often concludes with data verification tasks , such as checking Excel models for errors or preparing documentation for an upcoming international audit trip. The pace is steady but requires high concentration, as a single error in compliance reporting can have significant legal and commercial consequences.

Q: What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers significant potential for growth into a Senior Sustainability Manager or a specialized Compliance Director position. As the biofuels market continues to expand under the Green Deal, specialists who can navigate both the technical and legal aspects of the industry will become increasingly central to corporate strategy. You may have the opportunity to lead global compliance initiatives beyond the European market, helping the company expand its renewable energy footprint into other regions with emerging sustainability frameworks. The international nature of the role also allows for networking within the global trade and energy community. Furthermore, the technical skills gained in environmental auditing and mass-balance are highly transferable. You could eventually transition into roles focusing on carbon trading, supply chain circularity, or strategic advisory for energy transitions, making this a high-value stepping stone for a long-term career in ESG leadership.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your most frequent interaction will be with the Global Head of Biofuels , providing reporting and strategic support from the Tallinn office. You will also work closely with the commercial and trading teams to ensure that new contracts meet sustainability criteria before they are signed. External auditors and certification bodies are key stakeholders in your work. You will be their primary point of contact, facilitating their inspections and ensuring all documentation is ready for review. This relationship is critical for maintaining the company's certifications and market access. You will also interact with suppliers and logistics partners across the international supply chain. Ensuring they provide accurate sustainability data is essential, making your ability to communicate compliance requirements clearly and professionally a vital part of maintaining smooth operations.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The core focus of this position is maintaining regulatory compliance under the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED) for biofuels. You will be responsible for the daily management of mass-balance records, ensuring every unit of renewable fuel is tracked accurately from source to sale. This involves rigorous data entry, reviewing third-party contracts, and preparing comprehensive documentation for annual audits. Beyond administrative oversight, you serve as a policy advisor, translating complex legislative updates into actionable business strategies. You will coordinate with various internal and external stakeholders to produce compliance reports and ensure that the company’s biofuel trading activities meet the standards of voluntary certification schemes. International mobility is also part of the mandate. You will likely travel for on-site audits, training sessions, and stakeholder meetings, ensuring that your theoretical knowledge of the regulations is backed by a practical understanding of the supply chain operations.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Working in the Tallinn hub while reporting to a Global Head in Geneva offers a unique vantage point on the global biofuels market. You will gain deep expertise in the intricacies of mass-balance accounting, a highly specialized skill set that is in high demand as industries move toward circular and renewable supply chains. Exposure to European climate policy will be extensive. You will learn to interpret and apply the Renewable Energy Directive in real-time as it evolves, gaining experience in how international trade and environmental law intersect. This role provides a platform to master voluntary scheme audits and sustainability certifications that are foundational to the modern energy sector. Additionally, the technical nature of the role will sharpen your data analytics and risk assessment skills. Dealing with complex regulatory frameworks and multi-stakeholder reporting requirements will enhance your ability to bridge the gap between technical compliance and commercial operations.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate is a technical specialist with a proven track record in the sustainability of biodiesel or renewable fuels. A deep understanding of the mass-balance principle and the specific requirements of European environmental directives is essential for success in this role from day one. On the technical side, advanced Microsoft Excel skills are non-negotiable. You must be comfortable handling large datasets, building complex spreadsheets for tracking, and performing detailed audits. Fluency in English is required for international coordination and policy interpretation, while a degree in Environmental Science, Law, or Engineering would provide a strong theoretical base. Soft skills are equally important; the role requires an organized and detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple deadlines without compromising on data integrity. You should be a collaborative team player who is comfortable working independently in a remote-reporting structure while maintaining high levels of accountability.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, your application should explicitly demonstrate your experience with biofuels voluntary schemes like ISCC or 2BSvs. Instead of general sustainability experience, focus on your technical ability to manage mass-balance files and your familiarity with the Renewable Energy Directive. Providing specific examples of how you have prepared for or led environmental audits will be highly beneficial. In your cover letter, explain your motivation for working in the petroleum and renewable energy sector. Show that you understand the challenges of fuel decarbonization and that you have a proactive approach to monitoring policy changes. Highlighting your ability to simplify complex regulatory jargon into clear business advice will demonstrate your value as a policy advisor. Since the role involves reporting to a leader in Switzerland from Estonia, emphasize your autonomy and communication skills. Illustrate your experience working across time zones or in international environments, as this will reassure the hiring team of your ability to integrate into their global reporting structure.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

This role is primarily focused on carbon accounting and traceability within the biofuels sector. The main goal is to ensure that the renewable fuels traded by the company meet the strict greenhouse gas saving criteria required by law. This involves calculating and verifying the carbon footprint of products across their lifecycle. Governance and compliance management are also major pillars. You will focus on the 'G' of ESG by ensuring that all commercial contracts and supply chain movements align with international ethical and environmental standards. This ensures the company avoids 'greenwashing' and maintains its legal license to operate in the renewable energy market. Furthermore, the role touches on stakeholder transparency. By producing accurate and verified sustainability reports, you provide the data that allows customers and partners to trust the environmental claims of the products, thereby supporting the broader social and economic move toward energy transition.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges will be the rapidly changing regulatory landscape. Keeping up with the nuances of EU directives and local Estonian implementation requires constant vigilance and the ability to adapt compliance processes quickly to prevent any disruption in trading operations. Managing data integrity across the supply chain can also be difficult. Relying on external partners for accurate documentation and ensuring that mass-balance files remain error-free requires meticulous attention to detail and occasional troubleshooting when discrepancies arise between different stakeholder reports. Lastly, the geographical distance from the Global Head of Biofuels in Geneva means you must be highly self-motivated. Balancing the need for autonomy with the necessity of keeping the global team informed requires disciplined communication and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal day-to-day physical supervision.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with reviewing the latest policy updates from the European Commission to assess their impact on current renewable fuel stocks. You would then spend several hours updating mass-balance files, cross-referencing incoming delivery documents from suppliers against trade records to ensure every liter of biofuel is accounted for. In the afternoon, you might join a video conference with the Geneva-based team to discuss upcoming audit schedules or to review compliance clauses in a new supply contract. You could also spend time drafting a sustainability report for a key stakeholder, translating technical data into a format that demonstrates the environmental value of the company’s biofuel portfolio. The day often concludes with data verification tasks, such as checking Excel models for errors or preparing documentation for an upcoming international audit trip. The pace is steady but requires high concentration, as a single error in compliance reporting can have significant legal and commercial consequences.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

This role offers significant potential for growth into a Senior Sustainability Manager or a specialized Compliance Director position. As the biofuels market continues to expand under the Green Deal, specialists who can navigate both the technical and legal aspects of the industry will become increasingly central to corporate strategy. You may have the opportunity to lead global compliance initiatives beyond the European market, helping the company expand its renewable energy footprint into other regions with emerging sustainability frameworks. The international nature of the role also allows for networking within the global trade and energy community. Furthermore, the technical skills gained in environmental auditing and mass-balance are highly transferable. You could eventually transition into roles focusing on carbon trading, supply chain circularity, or strategic advisory for energy transitions, making this a high-value stepping stone for a long-term career in ESG leadership.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

Your most frequent interaction will be with the Global Head of Biofuels, providing reporting and strategic support from the Tallinn office. You will also work closely with the commercial and trading teams to ensure that new contracts meet sustainability criteria before they are signed. External auditors and certification bodies are key stakeholders in your work. You will be their primary point of contact, facilitating their inspections and ensuring all documentation is ready for review. This relationship is critical for maintaining the company's certifications and market access. You will also interact with suppliers and logistics partners across the international supply chain. Ensuring they provide accurate sustainability data is essential, making your ability to communicate compliance requirements clearly and professionally a vital part of maintaining smooth operations.

Sustainability Specialist

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