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Sustainability Manager

Hortiful GmbH & Co. KG • Germany • Added on Aug 10, 2026
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As the Sustainability Manager at Hortiful, you will take full ownership of the company’s environmental and social performance across a complex international supply chain. This is a hands-on strategic role where you will design and implement the firm’s first comprehensive decarbonization roadmap while professionalizing ESG data collection. You will serve as the internal architect for sustainability, bridging the gap between high-level reporting standards and practical field operations.

This position is critical because it tackles the high-impact intersection of global agriculture and European retail standards. By managing human rights due diligence and scope 3 emissions in fruit and vegetable sourcing, you directly influence the resilience of food systems. Your work ensures that international growers meet rigorous social and environmental benchmarks, transforming abstract corporate goals into verifiable ethical supply chains that land on supermarket shelves.

This suits someone who possesses a strong analytical mindset and a genuine interest in agricultural supply chains. You should be comfortable navigating both technical ESG reporting frameworks and the interpersonal nuances of international supplier relations.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to build and maintain a robust ESG framework that covers both internal operations and a global supplier network. You will be responsible for calculating the corporate carbon footprint across all three scopes, identifying hotspots in the agricultural supply chain, and setting measurable reduction targets. Beyond data, you will lead the human rights due diligence efforts. This involves conducting risk analyses, performing supplier evaluations, and ensuring compliance with international social standards. You will also orchestrate the transition to digital ESG tools and produce the annual sustainability report in accordance with the VSME standard.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the European Green Deal regulatory landscape, specifically how it translates to the fresh produce wholesale sector. There is significant opportunity to master the technicalities of Scope 3 accounting within agriculture, which is often one of the most complex areas of carbon management. Exposure to international certification standards like GLOBALG.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance will broaden your understanding of global trade compliance. Furthermore, managing the implementation of digital ESG tools will provide you with valuable experience in sustainability data architecture and software integration.

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

The ideal candidate brings 3 to 5 years of experience in sustainability or compliance, preferably within international supply chains. A background in agricultural products or food wholesale is a massive advantage, as you will need to understand the seasonal and geographical complexities of fruit and vegetable production. Technically, you should be proficient in ESG reporting standards and have a solid grasp of carbon accounting principles. Since the role involves significant documentation and reporting, excellent written and spoken skills in both German and English are non-negotiable for effectively communicating with global partners and local management.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to translate complex regulatory requirements like CSRD or LkSG into practical actions for small and medium-sized enterprises. Since Hortiful is a smaller team of 31 people, showing an 'all-hands-on-deck' attitude and a track record of building processes from scratch will be highly valued. Highlight any specific experience you have with supplier audits or agricultural certifications. Mentioning your familiarity with the VSME standard specifically, as noted in the job description, will show that you have paid attention to their reporting roadmap and are ready to hit the ground running.

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. You will likely spend a large portion of your time working on the social and environmental risks associated with fruit and vegetable cultivation, such as water usage and fair labor practices in diverse growing regions. On the environmental side, the focus is squarely on decarbonization. You will be the point person for moving the company toward its climate targets by analyzing logistics emissions and supporting growers in adopting more sustainable farming practices.

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

One of the toughest challenges will be data collection from international suppliers who may have varying levels of sustainability maturity. Consistently gathering high-quality ESG data across disparate regions requires persistence and strong relationship-building skills. Additionally, balancing the strict requirements of European retail customers with the operational realities of global growers can be difficult. You will need to act as a mediator, ensuring compliance without compromising the viability of long-term supplier partnerships.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing KPI dashboards to track progress on carbon reduction goals, followed by a meeting with the procurement team to discuss the ESG performance of a new supplier. You might spend your afternoon interpreting new regulatory guidelines to update the internal compliance checklist. Communication is a constant theme; you could be on a call with a producer in Spain or South America to discuss audit results one hour, and then presenting a sustainability progress update to the German management team the next. The role is a mix of deep-dive data work and high-level stakeholder management.

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

As the company is currently in an expansion phase, this role offers the chance to grow alongside the organization. You have the opportunity to define the sustainability function from the ground up, potentially leading to a more senior strategic leadership position as the department matures. You will also build a high-profile network within the European food retail and global agricultural sectors. Success in this role positions you as an expert in sustainable procurement, a highly sought-after specialization in the current job market.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internally, you will work closely with the management team and the procurement department to align sustainability goals with business growth. You will also collaborate with IT and data specialists to refine ESG reporting tools. Externally, your main contacts are international growers and suppliers. You will also interact with retail customers who demand high sustainability standards, as well as external auditors and certification bodies who verify the company's ESG claims.

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