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Climate and Sustainability Programs Manager

Greif • United States • Added on Jul 18, 2026
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This role centers on translating global climate ambitions into operational reality across a vast industrial network. You will own the development and execution of the corporate decarbonization roadmap, ensuring that Science-Based Targets (SBTi) move from paper to practice. Beyond strategy, you will manage the complexities of sustainability reporting and data validation to guarantee transparency and compliance across diverse international markets.

Working within the packaging and container industry provides a unique lever for change, as you will tackle high-impact areas like energy markets, green building, and value chain emissions. Your work directly contributes to Greif’s goal of creating a resilient, low-carbon business model while addressing emerging regulatory requirements like CSRD and California’s climate laws. This is a high-visibility position where technical climate science meets strategic business value creation.

This suits someone who is a pragmatic climate strategist with ten years of experience, possessing the technical depth to navigate GHG protocols and the interpersonal skill to influence stakeholders from facility floors to executive boardrooms.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to steer the company toward its Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) goals by developing a comprehensive decarbonization roadmap. This involves translating high-level climate strategy into actionable projects at the facility level, ensuring that global operations are aligned with carbon reduction milestones. In addition to strategy execution, you will be responsible for the integrity of sustainability disclosures. This includes managing data collection, validation, and third-party verification for GHG inventories, as well as ensuring compliance with evolving regulations like CSRD and CSDDD. You will act as the technical lead for climate-related risk and opportunity assessments.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in leading a global industrial transition within a complex, multi-national manufacturing environment. This includes hands-on experience with diverse energy markets and clean energy technologies suitable for varied resource settings across 35+ countries. Furthermore, the role offers a front-row seat to the implementation of emerging regulatory frameworks such as California SB 253/261 and the EU's CSRD. You will refine your skills in connecting climate action to tangible business value, learning how to build investment-ready business cases for sustainability initiatives.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least ten years of professional experience, with a significant portion dedicated to technical climate and sustainability programming. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field is essential, alongside a mastery of the GHG Protocol and SBTi methodologies. Beyond technical prowess, the candidate must possess strong business acumen. Greif looks for someone who can distill complex scientific data into clear, persuasive strategies for non-technical stakeholders. High-level organizational skills are required to manage projects across facilities in different time zones and regulatory environments.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability jargon and demonstrate your technical track record in carbon reduction. If you have successfully led a global company through an SBTi validation or executed a large-scale renewable energy procurement project, make these the centerpieces of your application. Highlight your ability to be customer-obsessed while pursuing climate goals. Greif values the intersection of legendary customer service and sustainability, so framing your expertise as a tool for creating value for both the business and its clients will resonate strongly with the hiring team.

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

The core focus is on operational decarbonization and supply chain transparency. You will look specifically at energy efficiency and the transition to renewable sources within manufacturing plants that produce steel, plastic, and fiber packaging. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on regulatory readiness and assurance. As global reporting standards become more stringent, this role ensures the company’s climate-related claims are robust, science-based, and capable of withstanding rigorous third-party audits.

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

One significant challenge will be standardizing sustainability practices across geographically and operationally diverse facilities. Navigating different local energy grids, regulations, and facility capabilities requires a flexible yet firm approach to project management. Maintaining momentum for long-term climate targets amidst short-term operational pressures is another likely hurdle. You will need to constantly prove the business case for sustainability to ensure that green initiatives remain a priority for global operations and supply chain teams.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing GHG data submissions from international facilities, followed by a meeting with the Global Operations team to discuss the progress of a new energy-saving initiative. You might spend the afternoon drafting sections of the annual Sustainability Report or analyzing the impacts of new climate disclosure laws. There is also a strong element of internal consultancy. You may find yourself providing guidance to a facility manager in Europe on renewable energy certificates, then switching to a call with the Legal and HR teams to discuss sustainability-related corporate policies.

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

This is a senior-level role with high visibility, reporting into key functional areas like Marketing and Sustainability. Success in this position can lead to global leadership roles within the sustainability department or strategic pivots into operational management. As the company continues its vision to be a packaging leader, the role provides the opportunity to shape its long-term resiliency. High-impact work here serves as a significant career accelerator for anyone aiming for C-suite sustainability positions in the industrial sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with Global Operations and Supply Chain leaders to implement decarbonization tactics. Cooperation with the Legal and Finance teams is critical for disclosure compliance and climate risk assessments. Externally, you will engage with value chain partners, third-party auditors, and perhaps regulatory bodies. As Greif is customer-obsessed, you will also likely collaborate with the Marketing team to communicate sustainability progress to global clients who use Greif's packaging solutions.

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