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Sustainability Specialist

Klüber Lubrication • China • Added on Jul 17, 2026
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As a Sustainability Specialist based in Shanghai, you will serve as the bridge between technical R&D and market-facing sales teams. Your primary objective is to embed carbon reduction strategies into the local operations and product offerings of Klüber Lubrication. You will own the development of value-driven case studies that demonstrate how high-performance lubricants contribute to environmental efficiency, ensuring these successes are shared both locally and across the global network.

This role is critical because it translates China’s dual-carbon policy goals into tangible industrial solutions. By focusing on the ‘Handprint’—the positive environmental impact lubricants provide during their use phase—you help industrial clients reduce their own operational emissions through improved friction management and durability. It is a unique opportunity to lead decarbonization projects within a specialized chemical sector that has a massive ripple effect on industrial energy consumption.

This suits someone who possesses a technical background in chemistry or engineering alongside the commercial acumen to influence sales and marketing strategies. You should be comfortable navigating a multinational matrix while remaining deeply tuned to local environmental regulations.

Job-FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to operationalize sustainability within the Chinese market by acting as a technical and strategic advisor. You will be responsible for developing phased implementation plans that align local operations with China's dual-carbon goals, specifically focusing on product carbon footprints and low-carbon innovations. On the commercial side, you will create and promote Value Case Studies. These documents serve as proof points for how Klüber’s products reduce energy consumption and emissions for clients, facilitating a sales approach rooted in environmental benefits. You also ensure that local sustainability efforts are synchronized with the global corporate handprint strategy. Additionally, you will define marketing communication plans to elevate the brand's sustainability profile. This involves working cross-functionally with R&D, supply chain, and marketing teams to ensure a consistent and proactive message regarding the company’s environmental commitments.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in applying Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) methodologies within the chemical and lubricant industry. This includes understanding the lifecycle of specialty chemicals and how to quantify the 'Handprint' effect—measuring the energy and emission savings your products deliver to customers. You will also develop a robust understanding of China’s evolving regulatory landscape, specifically regarding industrial decarbonization and dual-carbon policies. Working within the Freudenberg Group provides exposure to global sustainability standards and the opportunity to learn how a multinational enterprise manages complex transitions. Mentorship from the global handprint team will sharpen your ability to manage intercultural stakeholder relations. You will learn to navigate the intersection of technical R&D and strategic marketing, gaining the skills necessary to advocate for sustainability as a core business driver.

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

The ideal candidate holds at least a Bachelor’s degree in Environment, Chemistry, or Mechanical Engineering. This technical foundation is crucial for understanding the tribological complexities of lubricants and how they interact with machinery to influence energy efficiency. Communication skills are paramount, as you must be fluent in both English and Chinese. You need to be capable of translating complex environmental data into compelling narratives for sales teams and external stakeholders. A background in a multi-cultural corporate environment will help you navigate the reporting lines between China and the global headquarters. Soft skills such as cross-functional influence and project management are essential. You should be a self-starter who can drive business development activities by identifying how sustainability trends create new market opportunities for specialty chemical solutions.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate a clear understanding of the 'Handprint' vs. 'Footprint' concept. Klüber Lubrication emphasizes how their products help customers save energy, so highlighting your ability to quantify and communicate these external benefits will be more impactful than focusing solely on internal sustainability. Tailor your application to show your knowledge of China's latest policy directives on carbon emissions. Mention specific examples where you have successfully integrated environmental goals into commercial or technical workflows. If you have experience in the automotive or industrial manufacturing sectors, ensure this is prominently featured. Prepare to discuss how you would bridge the gap between laboratory R&D and the end-user. Showing that you can collaborate with engineers while maintaining a marketing mindset will prove you are ready for the cross-functional nature of this specific specialist role.

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

The role focuses heavily on the 'Handprint' effect, which refers to the positive impact products have on the efficiency of the equipment they lubricate. By reducing friction, these products lower energy consumption and extend the lifespan of components, making this a core pillar of the value proposition. You will also be involved in decarbonization projects aimed at reducing the 'Footprint' of the manufacturing sites in China. This involves working with plant and supply chain managers to implement low-carbon projects and ensure that production processes align with the Freudenberg Group’s broader climate targets. Another key focus is the development of sustainable business models. You will support the transition toward products with lower environmental impacts, ensuring that new business development is inherently linked to sustainability criteria and documented through validated case studies.

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

One significant challenge will be data integration across departments. Gathering accurate environmental data from R&D and supply chain while ensuring it is ready for marketing use requires persistent follow-up and a high degree of technical literacy to ensure the data is used correctly. Balancing local policy requirements with global corporate standards can also be complex. You will need to ensure that China-specific 'dual-carbon' initiatives are understood by global stakeholders while maintaining alignment with the overall corporate strategy, which may have different reporting cycles. Finally, there is the challenge of behavioral change within the sales force. Transitioning a sales team from a cost-per-liter mindset to a value-based sustainability mindset requires effective internal training and the creation of highly persuasive, evidence-based marketing tools.

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

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the local R&D team to review the lifecycle assessment data of a new lubricant formulation. You would then spend time collaborating with a sales manager to draft a Value Case Study based on a successful customer pilot project. In the afternoon, you might join a global alignment call to discuss how China’s sustainability marketing plans fit within the Freudenberg Group’s international portfolio. This ensures that the messaging used in Shanghai is consistent with global brand standards while remaining relevant to local market needs. You may conclude the day by analyzing new policy updates from Chinese environmental authorities to determine if any changes are needed for the company's implementation plan. Throughout the day, communication is constant, balancing technical analysis with strategic planning.

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

This role offers a clear path toward a senior sustainability management position within Klüber or the wider Freudenberg Group. As you successfully implement low-carbon projects in China, you could be tapped to lead larger regional initiatives across the APAC territory. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into strategic marketing or business development. Because this role sits at the intersection of technical performance and market value, it builds a versatile skill set that is highly valued in leadership roles within the chemical industry. Visibility is a major factor for growth here. By leading projects that are multiplied globally, you will gain exposure to high-level executives and global sustainability leaders, positioning yourself as a subject matter expert in industrial decarbonization within a world-leading technology group.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with R&D and Plant Managers to gather technical data and oversee the implementation of low-carbon operational projects. These stakeholders are vital for ensuring that sustainability goals are technically feasible and correctly measured. On the commercial side, your key partners are Sales and Marketing teams. You will act as their sustainability consultant, providing them with the narratives and case studies needed to win business in an increasingly ESG-conscious market. Externally, you will engage with industrial customers and potentially carbon auditors. You will also maintain a strong reporting line with the Global Handprint Team, ensuring that the Chinese subsidiary’s successes are correctly integrated into the company's global story.

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