As the Vice President of Sustainability, you will take full ownership of designing and executing the enterprise-wide sustainability strategy for a major North American distributor. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, you will lead the charge in establishing a robust governance structure, defining measurable KPIs, and ensuring that environmental priorities are embedded across every business unit from operations to finance.
This role is a pivotal opportunity to transform the logistics and packaging sector from within. By influencing how thousands of products move through the supply chain, you will directly impact the carbon footprint of the JanSan and foodservice industries. You will be the architect of auditable ESG reporting, bridging the gap between high-level climate action plans and the granular regulatory requirements of jurisdictions like California.
This suits someone who is a high-level strategic thinker with the execution discipline to turn complex regulatory landscapes into compelling narratives and measurable social value.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?
The primary mission of this role is to architect and implement a comprehensive sustainability strategy that aligns with both business goals and tightening regulatory standards. You will establish the governance structures necessary to ensure accountability across the organization while overseeing the collection and validation of ESG data.
Beyond strategy, you are responsible for the integrity of external disclosures. This includes managing third-party advisors and ensuring that all reporting for lenders, investors, and regulatory bodies—such as S&P Global and TCFD—is accurate, timely, and auditable.
You will also act as a cross-functional leader, partnering with departments like Legal, Finance, and Operations. Your goal is to operationalize sustainability by identifying circular economy opportunities and decarbonization initiatives that improve operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
Key learning opportunities for this job
Joining BradyPLUS at this level provides deep exposure to the complexities of supply chain sustainability within a large-scale distribution network. You will gain first-hand experience in navigating the interplay between logistics, facility management, and environmental impact reduction.
The role offers significant opportunities to master emerging regulatory landscapes, particularly the evolving climate disclosure requirements in California and other key US jurisdictions. This transition from voluntary reporting to mandatory compliance is a critical skill set in the current ESG market.
Additionally, because you will report to the General Counsel and interact with senior leadership, you will refine your ability to influence C-suite decision-making. You will learn how to frame sustainability initiatives as business-critical risk management and value-creation tools.
How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?
The ideal candidate should possess over a decade of leadership experience specifically in attaining ESG measurable outcomes within a corporate setting. A strong background in interpreting and applying diverse reporting frameworks like GRI, SASB, and TCFD is absolutely essential for success in this role.
Technical expertise must be balanced with sophisticated communication skills. You should be comfortable translating granular data and complex regulatory jargon into clear, persuasive narratives for diverse audiences, including skeptical investors and internal operational teams.
An advanced degree in a related field, such as an MBA or an MS in Sustainability, is preferred. The company seeks a execution-focused leader who doesn't just theorize about change but has a proven track record of implementing tangible sustainability programs across large, decentralized organizations.
Advice to stand out and make a successful application
To stand out, move beyond the 'triple bottom line' cliches and demonstrate a rigorous, data-driven approach to sustainability. Highlight specific examples where you leveraged reporting frameworks to drive operational improvements or secured high ratings from ESG evaluators like S&P Global.
Since this role reports to the General Counsel, emphasize your compliance and risk-mitigation mindset. Tailor your application to show you understand the legal implications of climate disclosures and how sustainability acts as a safeguard against regulatory and reputational risk in the professional services sector.
Finally, demonstrate an understanding of the distribution and packaging industry. Research BradyPLUS’s current market positioning and suggest how a more aggressive sustainability narrative could provide a competitive edge in capturing environmentally conscious corporate clients.
What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?
A major focus will be on Scope 3 emission reduction and sustainable procurement, given the company's role as a massive distributor of cleaning, foodservice, and packaging supplies. You will likely lead initiatives to source more eco-friendly products and optimize logistics routes.
The role will also center heavily on transparency and reporting rigor. You will be the point person for ensuring the company meets the high bars set by institutional investors and government agencies, turning climate data into a strategic asset.
There is also a significant circular economy angle. You will likely investigate how to help clients reduce waste through better packaging solutions and facility care products, positioning the company as a consultant-partner in their customers' own sustainability journeys.
What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?
The most significant challenge will be embedding sustainability into a high-volume distribution model where margins can be tight and speed is prioritized. Overcoming organizational inertia and convincing stakeholders of the long-term ROI of sustainability will require persistent influence.
You will also face the challenge of data fragmentation. Collecting accurate, auditable ESG data across multiple locations and thousands of products in the supply chain is a massive technical and logistical undertaking that requires sophisticated digital tools.
Lastly, navigating the rapidly shifting regulatory environment in the US, where states like California are moving faster than federal mandates, requires constant vigilance and the ability to pivot strategy quickly without losing momentum.
How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?
A typical day might begin with a strategy session with the General Counsel to review upcoming climate disclosure deadlines and ensure all internal data collection processes are on track for an upcoming audit.
Mid-day, you might lead a cross-functional workshop with the Operations and Supply Chain teams to evaluate a new packaging technology that could reduce weight and carbon emissions while maintaining cost-effectiveness for foodservice clients.
Your afternoon could be spent communicating with external stakeholders, such as responding to a query from an investor regarding the company’s ESG progress or reviewing a draft of the annual sustainability report with the Communications team for narrative consistency.
What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?
Within BradyPLUS, this high-visibility role places you at the epicenter of strategic transformation. Success here could lead to a broader executive remit, potentially evolving into a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) role as the ESG function matures.
Because you will be establishing the foundational ESG architecture for a major market player, your professional reputation as a pioneer in the distribution sector will grow significantly. This positions you as an industry-leading expert in logistics sustainability.
The role also provides a platform to engage with national trade organizations and regulatory bodies, offering opportunities for public-facing leadership and expanding your professional network at the highest levels of corporate governance.
The main stakeholders you might be interacting with
Your most frequent interaction will be with the General Counsel and senior leadership, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into the company’s legal and strategic core.
You will work closely with Operations and Procurement leaders to influence product choices and supply chain logistics, as well as the Finance team to align ESG data with financial reporting standards.
Externally, you will engage with lenders, institutional investors, and ESG rating agencies, as well as key customers who increasingly demand transparent sustainability data as a condition of their partnership with BradyPLUS.
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