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Group Environmental Footprint Manager

Bolton • Italy • Added on Sep 7, 2026
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The Group Environmental Footprint Manager leads the technical quantification and reduction of the company’s environmental impact across its global operations. You will take ownership of carbon accounting, water balance, and waste data management, translating complex metrics into actionable climate transition plans and water stewardship strategies. This role is central to aligning diverse business units under a unified environmental policy.

Working for a multinational with a massive consumer footprint means your work directly influences the decarbonization of well-loved brands. By steering the company toward Science Based Targets and ensuring rigorous compliance with emerging European standards like ESRS, you bridge the gap between high-level sustainability commitments and concrete operational improvements. This is a chance to drive environmental excellence in a high-scale manufacturing environment.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical background in environmental engineering and lifecycle assessment. You should be an analytical thinker who thrives on turning raw data into strategic roadmaps for a global manufacturing leader.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves quantifying and managing the group's total environmental impact, focusing heavily on carbon emissions, water balance, and waste generation. You will be responsible for building and maintaining the data infrastructure necessary to track these metrics across multiple international business units. Beyond data collection, you will lead the design of climate transition plans and water stewardship strategies. This includes ensuring that the company’s environmental performance aligns with regulatory disclosures such as ESRS and CDP, while also coordinating limited assurance audits in line with the GHG Protocol. Strategic alignment is key, as you will steer the company towards achieving Science Based Targets. This involves exploring new technologies for decarbonization and circularity, ensuring that environmental policies are not just theoretical but integrated into the day-to-day operations of the production facilities.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this position, you will gain deep exposure to the practical application of Science Based Targets (SBTi) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) frameworks within a large-scale manufacturing context. This is an excellent opportunity to master the complexities of Scope 3 emissions across a diverse supply chain. Working across different product categories—from food to personal care—will provide unique insights into Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Product Carbon Footprints (PCF). You will also have the chance to work with advanced sustainability platforms and supplier engagement tools like EcoVadis, honing your skills in digital sustainability transformation. Furthermore, the role offers a front-row seat to environmental risk management, specifically focusing on TCFD and ISSB disclosures, which are increasingly vital for senior sustainability professionals in the current regulatory landscape.

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

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and brings at least 4 to 5 years of experience in climate-related projects, preferably within a multinational or industrial setting. Technical proficiency in the GHG Protocol, ISO 14001, and carbon credit mechanisms is essential for success in this role. You should have a strong command of data analysis tools and a proven ability to develop decarbonization roadmaps. Because the role involves coordinating with various international stakeholders, fluency in English and Italian is required, paired with the ability to communicate complex environmental science to non-technical business leaders. Soft skills are equally important; the company looks for an entrepreneurial mindset. You should be someone who can anticipate future trends in sustainability and proactively suggest innovative solutions to reduce the group's footprint.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear track record of moving from data collection to strategic execution. Instead of just listing your technical skills, highlight specific instances where your analysis led to a measurable reduction in emissions or water usage within a corporate environment. Given the Italian family-owned nature of the business, emphasize your ability to build long-term internal relationships. Show that you understand the balance between economic feasibility and environmental responsibility, which is a core value for this specific organization. Preparation for the interview should focus on your familiarity with European sustainability regulations. Being able to discuss how you would implement ESRS or prepare for a limited assurance audit will demonstrate that you are ready to handle the immediate regulatory challenges the group faces.

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

The role is primarily focused on the environmental pillar of ESG, with a heavy emphasis on decarbonization and climate resilience. You will be the architect of the group's climate transition plan, ensuring the company can adapt to a low-carbon economy. Water stewardship is another critical focus area, particularly given the group's involvement in fishing and diverse manufacturing processes. You will likely work on projects that improve water efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the group's 17 production facilities worldwide. Additionally, the role will address circularity and sustainable sourcing. By liaising with corporate stakeholders, you will help refine policies that minimize waste and improve the environmental profile of the raw materials used across their 60+ brands.

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

A significant challenge will be the harmonization of data across sixty offices and seventeen production facilities. Ensuring consistency and accuracy in reporting from such a geographically and operationally diverse group requires high attention to detail and strong internal influence. Managing the transition toward Science Based Targets in a manufacturing environment often meets technical and financial hurdles. You will need to build strong business cases for new technologies or process changes that reduce impact without compromising the operational efficiency of the brands. Finally, staying ahead of the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape in the EU will require constant vigilance. Ensuring the group is always compliant with the latest reporting standards while simultaneously driving actual environmental improvements is a delicate balancing act.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing environmental data submissions from various business units, checking for anomalies in energy or water consumption. You might then meet with the Sustainability Manager to align on the progress of the Group’s climate transition plan. Afternoons are often dedicated to technical analysis or reporting. You could be coordinating with an external auditor for a GHG Protocol verification or attending a meeting with R&D and sourcing teams to discuss how a specific raw material change impacts the Product Carbon Footprint. Communication is a constant thread throughout the day. You will likely spend time translating technical findings into strategic presentations for corporate stakeholders, ensuring that the environmental footprint remains a top priority across the group's leadership.

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

This role offers significant professional growth by positioning you at the strategic core of a global sustainability team. Successfully steering a multinational toward SBTi alignment is a high-visibility achievement that can lead to senior leadership roles within the ESG department. There are opportunities for lateral skill development in areas such as sustainable procurement or corporate finance, as you will be working closely with these departments on carbon pricing and supplier engagement. The exposure to global operations also prepares you for international leadership roles. Furthermore, as the company continues to expand its sustainability commitments, this role could evolve to include oversight of broader biodiversity or circular economy initiatives, providing a pathway to becoming a holistic Environmental Strategy Director.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to the Sustainability Manager within the Group Sustainability Team, serving as the technical lead for environmental footprinting across the entire holding company. On a daily basis, you will interact with Business Unit leaders and facility managers across seventeen production sites. Your role is to provide them with the technical guidance and data-driven insights they need to implement the group’s environmental policies at a local level. Externally, you will be the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies and auditors. You will also engage with key partners such as EcoVadis for supplier assessments and potentially with NGOs or industry coalitions focused on climate action and water stewardship.

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