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Product Owner Sustainability (Procurement)

BILSTEIN • Germany • Added on Aug 8, 2026
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As the Product Owner for sustainability tools, you will take full ownership of the digital infrastructure supporting the procurement division’s ethical and environmental goals. You will oversee the entire lifecycle of software solutions, from defining technical requirements and selecting vendors to leading the implementation of risk-mapping and due diligence modules. By bridging the gap between complex legal requirements and functional IT systems, you ensure the supply chain remains transparent and compliant.

This role is a critical lever for BILSTEIN and the wider thyssenkrupp group to mitigate social and environmental risks within a global supplier network. You will be the architect behind the systems that track LkSG, CSDDD, and carbon emissions, turning regulatory pressure into a digital-first competitive advantage. Your work directly ensures that the company’s chassis engineering heritage is backed by a verifiable, sustainable value chain.

This suits someone who possesses a strong analytical mind and a background in procurement IT, combining technical product management skills with a genuine commitment to ESG compliance.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to serve as the Product Owner for all sustainability-related IT tools within the procurement department. You will be responsible for the entire roadmap, identifying market-leading software solutions and managing the RFI/RFP processes to select the best vendors. Beyond selection, you will lead the implementation and continuous improvement of tools used for supplier risk assessments and due diligence. You will also be tasked with translating complex ESG regulations into functional system requirements and data models. This involves ensuring that laws like the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and the European CSDDD are accurately reflected in the company's digital workflows. You will maintain high standards for data quality, information security, and user access management across all procurement sustainability platforms.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the emerging field of ESG technology, learning how to integrate sustainability metrics into traditional ERP landscapes like SAP. This role offers a unique vantage point on how global industrial groups are digitalizing their compliance functions to meet increasingly strict EU regulations. You will become an expert on the technical application of LkSG, CBAM, and CSDDD frameworks. Furthermore, you will have access to thyssenkrupp’s extensive digital learning library and specialized talent programs. Working in an agile environment as a Product Owner will sharpen your skills in backlog management, stakeholder negotiation, and cross-functional project leadership. The international nature of the team, particularly the collaboration with the hub in Budapest, provides exposure to global IT operations.

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

The ideal candidate holds a university degree and brings several years of experience in procurement processes and IT project management. You should have a proven track record of leading software implementation projects or conducting IT tenders. Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and SAP is essential, as the role relies heavily on data-driven decision-making and systems integration. On the soft skills side, you need to be an analytical problem-solver with a strong personal interest in sustainability. Excellent communication skills in both German and English are required to navigate the complex stakeholder environment. A background in supplier risk management or corporate social responsibility is highly advantageous, as is the ability to adapt to changing regulatory frameworks.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your technical proficiency alongside your ESG literacy. Instead of just listing software skills, explain how you have used technology to solve specific business or compliance challenges in previous roles. Highlighting experience with the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) or carbon accounting in supply chains will show immediate value-add to the procurement team. Showcase your Product Owner mindset by explaining how you prioritize requirements and manage stakeholder expectations in an agile way. Since this role bridges IT and Purchasing, proving you can 'speak both languages' is key. Research BILSTEIN’s position within the thyssenkrupp group and express how your technical expertise can help drive their specific sustainability journey.

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

This role focuses heavily on supply chain due diligence and regulatory compliance. You will be the technical lead for ensuring the company meets its obligations under the LkSG and the incoming CSDDD. This includes managing tools for supplier self-assessments, risk screening, and the tracking of preventative or remedial actions across the global supply base. Additionally, the role supports environmental tracking through systems focused on CBAM and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting for purchased materials. By optimizing data flows and dashboards, you enable the procurement team to monitor supplier performance against sustainability KPIs, making ESG a tangible part of every purchasing decision.

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

One of the primary challenges is the dynamic nature of ESG regulations. Keeping IT systems updated with the latest legal requirements like EUDR or Forced Labour Regulations requires constant vigilance and the ability to pivot technical roadmaps quickly. You must ensure that the tools remain compliant without sacrificing user experience for the procurement team. Another challenge is data quality and integration. Consolidating sustainability data from various external vendors and internal SAP modules into a 'single source of truth' via Power BI or Databricks can be complex. You will need to manage diverse stakeholder interests across IT, Legal, and Purchasing to maintain a cohesive tool strategy.

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

A typical day might begin with an agile stand-up meeting to review the product backlog and prioritize upcoming sprints for a new supplier-risk dashboard. You might then spend time in a requirements-gathering workshop with the Legal and Sustainability teams to discuss how new EU directives should be reflected in the supplier self-assessment questionnaire. Afternoons could be dedicated to vendor management or software evaluation, such as reviewing RFI responses for a carbon-tracking tool. You will likely spend time analyzing data flows in Power BI or coordinating with the IT security team in Budapest to ensure that user access controls meet company standards. The day often ends with cross-departmental alignment to ensure IT projects stay on track.

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

There are significant opportunities to grow into strategic leadership roles within Sustainable Procurement or ESG IT Management. As a Product Owner at a major industrial brand like BILSTEIN, you are at the forefront of a high-growth corporate function. Success in this role could lead to responsibilities for broader digital transformation projects across the thyssenkrupp group. The role also provides a platform for specialization in ESG data architecture, a highly sought-after skill set in the current market. You can progress into Senior Product Management roles or lateral moves into Sustainability Strategy, leveraging the deep knowledge of supply chain risks and regulatory frameworks gained during your tenure.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact with a wide range of internal and international stakeholders. This includes the ESG Supply Chain team, who provide the functional requirements, and the IT, Data Security, and Privacy departments, who ensure technical feasibility and compliance. You will also collaborate closely with Purchasing leads and the Legal department to align on risk management strategies. Externally, you will be the main point of contact for software providers and ESG data vendors. You will also communicate with national and international authorities regarding regulatory reporting and audits. Managing these diverse relationships—from technical developers in Budapest to compliance officers in Essen—is a central part of the role.

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