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(Junior) Sustainability Manager ESG Compliance

Tchibo • Germany • Added on Aug 13, 2026
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This role involves translating complex ESG regulatory requirements into actionable roadmaps for a global retail leader. You will own the coordination of compliance efforts across various departments and international subsidiaries, ensuring that non-financial reporting and legal mandates are met with precision. By managing agile project teams, you will turn abstract directives into concrete business processes.

Working at the intersection of law, business, and ethics, you will help secure the company’s license to operate in an increasingly regulated landscape. This position is vital because it ensures that sustainability is not just a vision but a verified, compliant reality across global supply chains and product lines. Your work directly supports the transition toward a 100 percent sustainable business model by embedding accountability into every layer of the organization.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind and the ability to simplify technical legal requirements for diverse audiences. You should be a structured project manager who thrives when navigating the evolving world of European and international ESG standards.

FAQ de l’offre

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves identifying and analyzing emerging ESG regulations to determine their impact on the company's operations. You will be responsible for defining implementation steps and ensuring that both the central headquarters and international subsidiaries adhere to these legal standards. Beyond analysis, you will take an active role in steering agile project teams to execute compliance roadmaps. This includes developing internal process descriptions and creating high-level decision templates for senior management to facilitate strategic shifts in corporate governance. Additionally, you will oversee the collection of non-financial data. This quantitative aspect is crucial for building robust sustainability reports that meet statutory requirements while providing internal stakeholders with a clear view of the company's progress toward its sustainability goals.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates can expect deep exposure to the rapidly changing regulatory landscape of ESG, including frameworks like the CSRD and supply chain due diligence laws. Working within a large retail structure provides a unique view of how compliance scales across complex global supply chains. There is a significant opportunity to hone agile project management skills in a corporate environment. You will learn how to drive change without direct authority, mastering the art of cross-functional influence across diverse business units from logistics to procurement. Furthermore, you will gain technical expertise in non-financial reporting systems. Learning how to structure and interpret ESG metrics will build a strong foundation for a career in corporate sustainability and data-driven ESG strategy.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Business Administration, Law, or Sustainability Management. They should possess a strong analytical mindset capable of deconstructing complex legal texts into logical business workflows without losing sight of the finer details. Communication is key for this role. You need the interpersonal skill to engage with international teams and the ability to translate technical ESG jargon into clear instructions for non-experts. Proficiency in English at a C1 level is essential for managing the global scope of the role. Prior experience in project management is highly valued. Whether through internships or initial professional roles, showing that you can structure projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment will set you apart from other applicants.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to bridge the gap between legal theory and business practice. Highlight any experience you have with ESG frameworks or specific instances where you managed a project with multiple stakeholders across different departments. Tchibo values a 'can-do' attitude and curiosity. Instead of a generic cover letter, use the two motivation questions in the application portal to demonstrate your specific interest in how a retail giant can navigate the complexities of sustainable transformation and compliance. Prepare to discuss your methodological approach to project management. Being able to explain how you stay organized when faced with multiple regulatory deadlines will signal that you are ready for the junior manager responsibilities.

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

The role is primarily focused on regulatory compliance and governance. This means you will likely spend significant time on the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), ensuring the company meets its '100% sustainable' target. You will also touch upon environmental and social standards within the supply chain. Because Tchibo deals with both coffee and consumer goods, the scope of compliance ranges from fair labor practices to the circular economy and recycled materials. Lastly, the role emphasizes transparency and reporting. By structuring how non-financial data is gathered, you ensure the company's sustainability claims are backed by verifiable evidence, reducing the risk of greenwashing and increasing stakeholder trust.

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

One of the primary challenges is managing the pace of regulatory change. Keeping up with evolving EU mandates while ensuring that the business remains agile and competitive requires constant vigilance and quick adaptation. Resistance to change can also be a hurdle. Implementing new compliance processes often requires shifting established routines in various departments, which can sometimes lead to friction if the value of these new measures isn't clearly communicated. Finally, data quality and consistency across international subsidiaries can be difficult to manage. You will need to be meticulous in ensuring that the information coming from different regions is accurate and comparable for consolidated reporting purposes.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing new regulatory updates or legal briefings to understand upcoming ESG requirements. You would then likely meet with a cross-functional project team to discuss the progress of an implementation plan. Midday might involve drafting process descriptions or preparing a training session for employees in an international branch. You spend time ensuring that everyone understands their role in maintaining ESG compliance and providing them with the necessary tools to do so. Your afternoon could be spent analyzing non-financial KPIs or creating a reporting dashboard. You might end the day by preparing a briefing for the management team, summarizing key project milestones and highlighting any risks that need executive attention.

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

Starting as a Junior Sustainability Manager at a major firm like Tchibo offers a strong upward trajectory. As you master the compliance landscape, you could move into more senior strategic roles or specialize in specific areas like sustainable supply chain management. The exposure to international business operations provides a platform for lateral moves into global project management or corporate strategy. The high visibility of ESG topics in the current business climate ensures that successful managers are well-positioned for leadership roles. Furthermore, the company's commitment to individual training and development means you will have access to resources that help you stay at the forefront of the sustainability field, potentially leading to specialized certifications in ESG auditing or management.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with legal and compliance departments to ensure all interpretations of ESG laws are accurate. These stakeholders provide the framework within which your implementation plans must operate. Internally, you will collaborate with department heads and international subsidiaries. These are the people who will ultimately implement the processes you design, making their buy-in and feedback essential to your success. You will also report to senior management and the ESG steering committee. Providing them with clear data and decision templates allows them to align the company's broader business strategy with sustainability mandates and long-term goals.

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