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Senior Manager Sustainability – Biodiversität & Wasser

Peek & Cloppenburg* Düsseldorf • Germany • Added on Aug 25, 2026
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As a leading figure in the sustainability team, you will take full ownership of the group’s nature strategy, focusing specifically on biodiversity and water stewardship. Your daily work involves translating complex scientific data and environmental risks into actionable business processes, ensuring that the company’s impact on natural ecosystems is measured, managed, and minimized across the entire value chain.

This role is crucial because it addresses the fashion industry’s significant dependency on natural resources. By integrating nature-related goals into purchasing and assortment strategies, you help pivot the business toward a regenerative model that respects planetary boundaries. You will be at the forefront of implementing emerging frameworks like TNFD, making the company’s ecological footprint as transparent as its financial reporting.

This suits someone who possesses deep expertise in environmental sciences and a sharp commercial mindset. You should be comfortable navigating technical frameworks while effectively communicating the strategic necessity of biodiversity protection to diverse corporate stakeholders.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves developing and steering a comprehensive nature strategy with a primary focus on biodiversity and water systems. You will be responsible for identifying and assessing nature-related risks and dependencies throughout the entire value chain, translating these findings into concrete management plans. Beyond strategy, you will define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure the group meets its environmental targets. You will also be instrumental in integrating these requirements into purchasing and assortment processes, ensuring that sustainability is not a siloed function but a fundamental part of the business model.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this position, you will gain hands-on experience in implementing cutting-edge sustainability frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Science Based Targets for Nature (SBTN). This is a unique opportunity to lead the practical application of these standards in a large-scale retail environment. You will also deepen your knowledge of sustainable sourcing and global supply chain complexities within the textile industry. The role offers exposure to high-level strategic planning and the chance to become an expert in how planetary boundaries directly intersect with corporate financial health and reporting compliance.

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

The ideal candidate brings several years of professional experience in biodiversity, water management, or sustainable sourcing, preferably within a consulting or retail context. You should hold a degree in environmental sciences or a related field and possess a strong analytical mind capable of processing complex ecological data. Success in this role requires a proactive hands-on mentality and the ability to work fluently in both German and English. You should be someone who can build bridges between technical environmental requirements and commercial business needs, demonstrating high levels of initiative and communication prowess.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your specific experience with the CSRD and TNFD frameworks, as these are central to the role's reporting requirements. Don't just list your skills; explain how you have previously turned environmental data into business-wide policy changes or operational improvements. Since this role sits within a retail giant, showing an understanding of textile supply chains and the specific water/land-use challenges associated with raw materials like cotton will be highly advantageous. Tailor your application to reflect both your scientific expertise and your ability to thrive in a fast-paced corporate setting.

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

The role focuses heavily on the 'Environment' pillar of ESG, specifically targeting ecosystem services and resource preservation. You will likely work on projects related to sustainable fiber sourcing, water efficiency in manufacturing, and the mitigation of land-use impacts. Furthermore, there is a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance. You will ensure the company is prepared for the rigorous reporting standards of the CSRD regarding biodiversity, while also aligning the business with voluntary but influential global nature targets.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the integration of nature goals into established commercial processes without disrupting the pace of retail operations. Convincing stakeholders across different departments to prioritize biodiversity alongside traditional metrics requires resilience and persuasive communication. Additionally, the data complexity inherent in water and biodiversity reporting is significant. Managing fragmented supply chain data to provide the transparency required by new regulations like the CSRD will be a demanding technical hurdle.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing supply chain risk data to identify hotspots for water scarcity or biodiversity loss. You would then likely meet with the procurement or category management teams to discuss how to adjust sourcing criteria to align with the new nature strategy. Afternoons could be spent reviewing the latest regulatory developments or working on the sustainability report, ensuring that the biodiversity disclosures are accurate and robust. The role involves a mix of deep analytical work and collaborative cross-functional meetings.

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

As this is a senior-level position in a growing sustainability department, there is significant potential for strategic leadership. You will have the opportunity to shape the environmental legacy of a major fashion group, potentially expanding your remit to broader ESG leadership roles. The high visibility of biodiversity issues on the corporate agenda means your work will directly influence executive decision-making. Participation in international working groups and industry-wide initiatives will also enhance your professional standing as a thought leader in nature-positive business practices.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact closely with the Purchasing and Product Management teams to influence the assortment and sourcing strategies. These relationships are vital for implementing change on the ground within the supply chain. Externally, you will engage with consultants, NGOs, and industry associations to stay aligned with best practices. Internally, you will also collaborate with the ESG reporting team and potentially legal and compliance departments to ensure all corporate disclosures meet the necessary standards.

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