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(Junior) Sustainability Specialist

Hochland Deutschland GmbH • Germany • Added on Sep 7, 2026
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Joining the Corporate Sustainability Management team, you will act as a central analytical hub for ESG data and regulatory compliance. Your daily work involves translating complex legal requirements like the CSRD and EU Taxonomy into actionable internal standards. You will take ownership of carbon accounting processes and assist in drafting the annual sustainability report, ensuring that environmental performance is accurately measured and communicated across the organization.

This role is critical because the dairy industry faces unique challenges regarding supply chain transparency and agricultural emissions. By refining milk production guidelines and monitoring ESG risks, you directly influence how a major international food producer navigates the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is a chance to apply rigorous data management to real-world agricultural impact.

This suits someone who possesses a strong affinity for numbers and digital tools, combined with the communication skills needed to align diverse international teams around technical sustainability targets.

Job-FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a central member of the sustainability team, you will take charge of the data-driven aspects of ESG management. This involves tracking and analyzing market trends and regulatory shifts to keep the company's strategy ahead of the curve. You will be responsible for translating high-level requirements into operational guidelines that can be implemented across different production sites. Beyond data, you will actively contribute to the Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) calculation. This means collecting and verifying environmental data to ensure reporting accuracy. You will also play a key role in internal education, developing training materials to help employees across the dairy and energy management departments understand their contribution to sustainability goals.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers a deep dive into the regulatory landscape of the European Green Deal. You will gain hands-on experience with the CSRD and EU Taxonomy frameworks, which are currently the most sought-after compliance skills in the corporate world. Working within an international dairy group also provides specialized knowledge of agricultural sustainability and scope 3 emissions management. Furthermore, you will have the chance to explore modern digital solutions, including AI and automation for sustainability reporting. The role encourages developing a high level of proficiency in ESG software and data visualization tools, preparing you for the future of digitalized corporate responsibility.

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

The ideal candidate brings a blend of technical understanding and analytical curiosity. A background in the dairy industry, agriculture, or energy management is highly valued as it provides the necessary context for the company's core operations. You should be someone who enjoys working with Excel and PowerPoint to transform raw data into compelling narratives. Effective communication is essential, especially the ability to explain technical ESG concepts to non-experts. While this is a junior-level role, a proactive mindset and a genuine interest in sustainability metrics are what will set a candidate apart. Fluency in English is required for the international scope of the role.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize any experience you have with data management or lifecycle assessments. If you have previously worked on carbon footprinting or have a certification in GRI or CSRD reporting, make sure this is prominent. Showing an understanding of the specific sustainability challenges in the food and beverage sector—such as animal welfare or methane reduction—will demonstrate your preparedness. In your interview, focus on your ability to be a bridge-builder between different departments. The company values its family-like culture, so highlighting your collaborative spirit and how you handle cross-functional projects will be just as important as your technical skills.

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

The role focuses heavily on supply chain integrity and environmental transparency. Given Hochland's business, a significant portion of the work will likely revolve around the social and environmental standards of milk production. This includes monitoring how suppliers adhere to sustainability guidelines and improving the traceability of raw materials. Additionally, the role is central to the company's decarbonization journey. By managing the carbon footprint data, you will identify hotspots where energy efficiency or agricultural changes can have the biggest impact, directly supporting the company's long-term transformation into a more sustainable food producer.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the complexity of data collection across international sites. Gathering consistent and high-quality data from various departments and external partners requires persistence and strong organizational skills. You may encounter resistance or confusion regarding new regulatory requirements that seem burdensome to operational teams. Another challenge is the rapidly changing regulatory environment. Keeping up with evolving ESG standards requires constant learning and the ability to pivot strategies quickly. Balancing the need for technical accuracy with the pressure of reporting deadlines can also be demanding.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing the latest ESG risk data or updating the carbon accounting dashboard. You might spend your mid-morning in a virtual meeting with a production site in France or Poland to discuss their progress on sustainability targets. The afternoon could involve drafting a section of the sustainability report or creating a visualization for an internal training session. You will likely spend time researching new legal interpretations of the EU Taxonomy to ensure the company remains compliant. The day is usually a mix of focused analytical work and collaborative communication, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into the daily vocabulary of the business.

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

As a (Junior) Specialist, the most immediate growth path is towards a Mid-level Sustainability Manager role where you would take full ownership of specific strategic programs. There is significant potential to become an internal subject matter expert on ESG reporting or sustainable procurement, given the increasing importance of these functions. Because you interact with international sites and various departments, you also have the opportunity for lateral growth into areas like supply chain management or corporate communications. High-visibility projects related to the CSRD will put you in contact with senior leadership, opening doors for long-term career advancement within the group.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work closely with the Corporate Sustainability Management team and the SE management. Externally, you will engage with consultants, auditors, and possibly customer sustainability departments who request ESG data from Hochland as their supplier. Internally, your key partners include the purchasing department, especially those managing milk supply, and the plant managers at various production facilities. You will also collaborate with IT and Finance teams to streamline data flows for sustainability reporting, ensuring that ESG metrics are treated with the same rigor as financial data.

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