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Manager ESG Performance Management

BASF • Romania • Added on Sep 25, 2026
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This role involves building the operational backbone of ESG performance for a global agricultural leader as it transitions into a standalone entity. You will take ownership of the end-to-end data collection processes, establishing the methodologies and internal controls required to transform raw sustainability metrics into audit-proof reporting. By bridging the gap between financial controlling and ESG, you ensure that environmental and social targets are tracked with the same rigor as traditional financial KPIs.

The impact is significant because the agricultural sector sits at the heart of global climate and food security challenges. By institutionalizing ESG performance management, you enable the company to transparently demonstrate its contribution to sustainable farming and carbon-smart production. This position provides the data-driven evidence needed to guide the green transformation of the chemical and agricultural value chains.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind and several years of experience in ESG or financial controlling. You should be comfortable navigating complex IT infrastructures and leading teams through the intricacies of corporate reporting cycles.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role centers on designing and maintaining methodologies for ESG performance management. You will be the architect of the end-to-end reporting processes, ensuring that every piece of data submitted for group or standalone reports is accurate and verifiable. This includes developing internal control systems to safeguard data integrity and monitoring key performance indicators against corporate targets. Beyond data oversight, you are responsible for preparing internal management reports that inform executive decision-making. You will work closely with the risk management team to ensure that sustainability risks are properly identified and integrated into the broader corporate risk framework. Furthermore, you will lead the preparation for external audits, ensuring compliance with evolving disclosure requirements. You will also supervise a team of ESG controllers, providing technical guidance and developing their competencies. By owning the IT application infrastructure, you will drive the efficient use of data analytics and reporting tools to streamline the monitoring of the company’s environmental and social footprint.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates can expect to gain deep expertise in standalone corporate transformation, a rare opportunity to build reporting structures from the ground up rather than just maintaining existing ones. You will become highly proficient in the practical application of ESG disclosure standards and the integration of sustainability data into SAP-based financial systems. Furthermore, the role offers exposure to the intersection of agriculture and climate technology. You will learn how to quantify environmental impact in complex value chains, ranging from crop protection to circular economy initiatives. The position also provides a platform to refine leadership and team development skills within a high-stakes, global environment.

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

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of five years of experience in ESG or financial performance management. A strong foundation in business administration or finance is essential, as the role requires a controller's mindset applied to non-financial data. You should have a proven track record of working with complex data sets and a deep understanding of reporting standards. Technical proficiency in SAP and data management applications is highly valued, as is the ability to translate technical data into strategic insights. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be a collaborative leader who can influence stakeholders across different business units and maintain a high level of analytical rigor under tight reporting deadlines.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your experience with audit-ready reporting. Explain how you have previously improved data quality or implemented internal controls for non-financial metrics. Since this role is part of a standalone transformation, highlighting your adaptability and experience in change management or organizational restructuring will be a significant advantage. Tailor your application by showing a clear passion for the agricultural sector's role in sustainability. Show that you understand the specific challenges of ESG reporting in chemicals, such as Scope 3 emissions or product stewardship. Be prepared to discuss how you bridge the gap between technical IT infrastructure and strategic performance management.

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

This role focuses heavily on the quantification of environmental and social impact. As the agricultural division moves toward independence, the role ensures that sustainability performance is transparent and measurable. Key focus areas likely include carbon footprinting of agricultural solutions and monitoring progress toward climate-smart production targets. You will also concentrate on governance and transparency. By ensuring that ESG risks are correctly assessed and reported, you help the company maintain its social license to operate. The role is key in tracking the company’s green transformation, providing the metrics that prove the effectiveness of biobased products and new recycling processes.

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

The most significant challenge will be the transition to a standalone entity. Creating new reporting lines and methodologies while maintaining continuity in group submissions requires immense organizational skill. You may encounter resistance or data gaps when implementing new internal controls across diverse global units. Another challenge lies in the evolving regulatory environment. Keeping pace with changing ESG disclosure requirements while ensuring that the IT infrastructure remains capable of supporting these demands is a constant balancing act. You will need to manage the pressure of audit cycles while simultaneously driving long-term process improvements.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of current ESG data collection progress, checking for inconsistencies in submissions from various regions. You would likely lead a meeting with IT and data analytics teams to optimize the reporting tools or troubleshoot issues in the SAP environment. Mid-day might be spent collaborating with risk managers to refine how ESG factors are weighted in the corporate risk profile. In the afternoon, you might switch to a more strategic mode, drafting guidelines for new ESG performance metrics or mentoring your team of controllers on audit preparation. The day often concludes with stakeholder engagement, perhaps presenting performance updates to senior management or coordinating with the BASF Group reporting team to align on standalone submission standards.

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

This role is a springboard for senior leadership within the ESG or Finance functions of the new standalone agricultural company. As the organization matures, there will be opportunities to move into Global Head of ESG roles or transition into strategic finance positions that oversee sustainable investment. Because of the high visibility of the standalone transformation, successful performance in this role will likely lead to invitations to lead high-impact, cross-functional projects. The experience gained in corporate restructuring and sustainability compliance makes you a highly valuable asset for any global firm navigating the green transition.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the ESG controllers you supervise, ensuring their work meets quality standards. Beyond your immediate team, you will be a key partner for the Risk Management department and the IT teams responsible for the reporting infrastructure. These interactions are focused on data accuracy and system efficiency. External interactions include working closely with auditors during disclosure cycles to verify performance data. Internally, you will also communicate with senior leadership in the Agricultural Solutions division, providing them with the performance analysis needed to steer the business. Coordination with the broader BASF Group sustainability and finance teams is also vital to ensure alignment during the transition.

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