Q

Operational Decarbonization Manager

Quanex • United States • Added on Sep 5, 2026
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As the Operational Decarbonization Manager, you will lead the charge in optimizing energy performance across dozens of manufacturing sites. You will travel throughout North America to conduct energy audits, facilitate kaizen events, and implement technical solutions that curb carbon emissions. Your work will evolve from an initial focus on energy efficiency to broader resource management involving waste and water.

This role represents the technical engine of the company’s environmental strategy. By bridging the gap between high-level ESG targets and floor-level machinery, you turn sustainability theory into measurable industrial outcomes. You will be the primary agent reducing the physical environmental footprint of a global leader in building materials, ensuring that manufacturing growth does not come at the expense of the planet.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering background and a passion for lean manufacturing. You should be a hands-on problem solver who thrives in a factory environment and enjoys the challenge of standardizing green practices across a diverse portfolio of international facilities.

Job-FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to serve as the technical lead for energy reduction and decarbonization across forty North American locations. You will be responsible for identifying inefficiencies in systems like HVAC, compressed air, and manufacturing processes, subsequently leading energy kaizen events to implement improvements. Beyond immediate energy savings, the role involves establishing a scalable sustainability framework. You will develop best practices for waste minimization and water consumption, ensuring that every plant has the tools and data-driven insights needed to meet corporate environmental objectives.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in industrial energy auditing and the application of Lean Six Sigma principles specifically for environmental outcomes. Exposure to diverse manufacturing processes across the US, Canada, and Mexico provides a rare perspective on international operational sustainability. Furthermore, as the role matures, there is significant potential to learn about European environmental regulations and energy markets through planned expansions into the UK, Italy, and Germany. This provides a platform to master global decarbonization strategies.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of experience in a manufacturing environment, underpinned by an engineering degree. You should have a proven track record in project management and a specialized certification such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt. Technical proficiency in auditing building controls, lighting, and industrial motors is essential. Soft skills are equally important; you must be an effective communicator capable of building partnerships with plant managers who may have competing production priorities.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on quantifiable results from past energy or waste reduction projects. Highlighting specific instances where you used lean tools to achieve a carbon-related goal will demonstrate your readiness for the kaizen-heavy nature of this position. Since this role supports forty locations, emphasize your ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and your willingness to travel. Aligning your professional goals with the company's 'Part of Something Bigger' philosophy will show you are motivated by the broader social and environmental impact.

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

The role focuses heavily on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by optimizing onsite energy use and transitioning toward renewable energy sources. This is a purely operational role aimed at the 'E' in ESG, focusing on the physical footprint of production. Secondary focus areas will include circularity through waste minimization and resource conservation through water management. You will likely contribute to the data collection necessary for corporate ESG reporting, ensuring that carbon performance is transparent and verifiable.

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

One major challenge will be balancing sustainability goals with the operational throughput requirements of forty different plant managers. You may encounter varying levels of technical maturity across sites, requiring a flexible approach to implementing standard processes. Additionally, the high level of travel required to support North American operations can be demanding. Successfully influencing teams where you do not have direct authority requires exceptional change management skills and a results-oriented mindset.

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

A typical day might involve traveling to a specific facility to lead an energy treasure hunt, crawling through mechanical rooms to identify leaks or inefficiencies. You will spend significant time collaborating with plant engineers to analyze energy data and brainstorm lean improvements. When not on-site, your day will consist of project management tasks, such as tracking the ROI of sustainability initiatives and presenting progress reports to corporate leadership. You will act as a central hub, connecting different plants to share success stories and technical breakthroughs.

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

There is a clear path toward Global Sustainability Leadership as the role expands to cover international plants in Europe. As you prove the financial and environmental value of these kaizen events, you could potentially build out a dedicated decarbonization team. Given the company’s size and diverse business segments, there are also opportunities for lateral moves into senior operational excellence or plant management roles for those who wish to broaden their general management expertise.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with Plant Managers and site leadership teams to execute local projects. At the corporate level, you will report to sustainability executives and provide data-driven insights to the finance and procurement teams. External stakeholders may include energy consultants, utility providers, and equipment vendors. You will act as a bridge between high-level corporate strategy and the technical teams executing the work on the factory floor.

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