Senior Sustainability Engineer - Chemical Process (EMEA)

This role is the regional subject matter expert for can washers, front-end lubricating systems and chemical processes. You will audit plants across EMEA to assess water, chemical and waste performance, then standardise and implement best practices that move sites toward Ball’s global sustainability standards. A major part of the job is translating global guidance into actionable regional strategies and capital projects. You will also train plant employees on efficient water use and waste generation, embedding Lean Six Sigma principles into daily operations. Expect to lead or support projects that upgrade equipment or change processes, often requiring justification and budget planning. Collaboration is key: you’ll work with global sustainability engineering, plant teams and external suppliers to identify and pilot new technologies. The overarching goal is continuous improvement in energy KPIs, especially water, while maintaining product quality and operational efficiency. Success means measurable reductions in water consumption and waste, and a culture of sustainability embedded in plant routines.

You will deepen your expertise in industrial water management, chemical process optimisation and wastewater treatment, skills that are increasingly valuable as manufacturing faces tighter environmental regulations. Working under global standards, you’ll learn how to audit, standardise and scale best practices across a diverse region, which is excellent experience for any sustainability or operations leadership role. Lean Six Sigma is explicitly part of the job, so you can expect to apply and possibly advance your certification through real projects. Exposure to capital project planning and execution will build your financial and project management acumen. Collaborating with suppliers and global engineering teams will also give you insight into advanced sustainability technologies and how they are evaluated for adoption. Mentorship may come from senior global stakeholders, and you’ll have opportunities to train others, honing your communication and leadership skills. Ball is a large, global company, so internal mobility and cross-functional learning are plausible pathways.

The ideal candidate holds a university degree in chemical engineering (or related field) and has at least six years of experience in chemical process operations, ideally in can manufacturing or a comparable industrial environment. Two years of supervisory experience are required, so you should be comfortable leading teams or projects. Demonstrated skill in washer control, optimisation and wastewater treatment plants is essential. You’ll need a solid grasp of basic chemistry and a track record of applying Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Fluency in English is a must, and additional European languages could be advantageous given the regional scope. The role demands extensive travel, so flexibility and a valid driver’s license are likely expected. Soft skills matter too: you should be a persuasive communicator, able to train and influence plant staff, and a collaborative team player who can work with global counterparts. A proactive mindset and passion for sustainability will set you apart. Experience with capital project planning and a knack for data analysis would strengthen your candidacy. Ball values integrity and trust, so a strong ethical compass and commitment to diversity and inclusion are important.

To stand out, tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with can washers, front-end lubricating systems and wastewater treatment. Quantify achievements: mention percentages of water reduction, cost savings or efficiency gains you’ve driven. Since Lean Six Sigma is explicitly mentioned, include any certifications and examples of projects where you applied it. Supervisory experience is a must, so detail how you’ve led teams or trained staff on chemical processes. The cover letter should connect your passion for sustainability with Ball’s mission. Ball emphasises integrity and trust, so align your narrative with their values. Show you understand the regional challenge: mention how you’d balance global standards with local plant realities, perhaps citing a past example. The travel requirement is significant, so express willingness and ability to travel extensively. In interviews, prepare to discuss technical problems you’ve solved and how you collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Ball’s inclusive culture means they’ll value examples of working across cultures or promoting diversity. Ask insightful questions about their global standards and how the role contributes to Ball’s sustainability goals. Finally, since the role supports EMEA, any additional language skills or regional experience could be a plus.

The role is squarely focused on operational resource efficiency, especially water and waste reduction. In can manufacturing, washing and lubrication steps are water-intensive, and wastewater treatment is a key compliance and cost area. By standardising best practices and auditing plants, you directly reduce freshwater withdrawal and effluent load, contributing to Ball’s broader environmental footprint goals. Beyond water, the position touches chemical management and waste generation, aligning with circular economy principles. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, but the production process still has environmental impacts; this role tackles them at the source. You also collaborate with suppliers to scout new technologies, which could influence Ball’s global standards and long-term sustainability roadmap. While the title includes “sustainability,” the focus is industrial process sustainability rather than corporate ESG reporting. It’s a chance to make measurable environmental gains on the factory floor, which is where many of the quickest wins lie.

The biggest challenge is likely balancing standardisation with local realities. Plants across EMEA vary in age, equipment and operational practices, so a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. You’ll need to tailor global standards to each site while ensuring consistency and measurable outcomes. Resistance to change is common in manufacturing, so persuading busy plant teams to adopt new processes requires strong evidence and interpersonal skills. Another hurdle is the travel load, 50% to 70% of your time. That can be demanding, especially if you’re juggling multiple projects and time-sensitive audits. Prioritisation and self-management will be critical. You’ll also need to navigate the tension between cost and sustainability: capital projects must compete for budget, so building a compelling business case is essential. Technically, wastewater treatment and chemical processes can be complex, and you may encounter unexpected issues like regulatory changes or supply chain disruptions. Staying current with emerging technologies and maintaining a Lean Six Sigma mindset will help you turn challenges into improvements.

A typical day likely blends desk work and plant-floor engagement. You might start by reviewing water consumption data or audit findings from a European plant, then join a call with global sustainability engineering to align on standards or discuss a new chemical technology. Later, you could run a training session for plant operators on washer optimisation or troubleshoot a wastewater treatment issue with a local team. Because you support multiple sites, no two days are identical. Some weeks are heavy on travel, with site visits that involve walking the can line, observing washer performance and huddling with maintenance and quality staff. Other weeks are more analytical, spent preparing capital project justifications, updating action plans or evaluating supplier proposals. Interactions with plant managers, process engineers and supply chain partners are constant, so strong communication and the ability to switch between technical detail and strategic overview are essential. The role offers a mix of hands-on problem solving and regional coordination.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and regional strategy, offering a strong platform for growth. High performers could advance into global sustainability engineering leadership, regional operations management or plant management. The visibility of working with global standards and multiple sites means you’ll build a network across the organisation. Skill improvement is built into the job: you’ll refine Lean Six Sigma, project management, auditing and training capabilities. You may also gain exposure to new technologies and supplier innovations, positioning you as a future leader in sustainable manufacturing. Ball is a large company with a global footprint, so lateral moves into other regions or functions (e.g., supply chain, quality, energy) are plausible. Success in reducing water and waste KPIs will be measurable and impactful, making it easier to demonstrate your contributions for promotion. The company’s emphasis on sustainability suggests growing investment in this area, which could create new opportunities for career progression.

You will interact regularly with plant-level staff: process engineers, maintenance teams, quality managers and operators who run the washers and wastewater systems. Your role is part coach, part auditor, so building trust and influencing without direct authority will be important. You’ll also collaborate closely with global sustainability engineering colleagues, who set the standards you help implement. Supply chain and external partners are another key group. You may engage with chemical suppliers, equipment vendors and technology providers to evaluate new solutions and share insights back to the global team. In addition, you’ll likely coordinate with regional leadership to align projects with business priorities and secure resources. Given the travel requirement, you’ll need to manage relationships across time zones and cultures. The ability to listen, adapt your message and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders is as critical as technical expertise.