C

Manager Sustainability

CLAAS • Germany • Added on Jul 25, 2026
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This role acts as the central engine for ESG transformation within a global manufacturing leader. You will own the coordination of the group-wide sustainability program, moving beyond mere administration to actively shaping how the company tracks and reports its environmental impact. From leading the CSRD reporting cycle to rolling out Greenhouse Gas (GHG) accounting across international subsidiaries, you will be the point person for translating complex regulations into actionable strategy.

Working for a major agricultural engineering firm means your impact scales across the entire food value chain. By developing IT-supported KPI dashboards and refining materiality analyses, you ensure that sustainability is treated with the same rigor as financial performance. This is a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and technical reporting, helping a family-owned industrial giant navigate the transition to a low-carbon economy through data-driven transparency.

This suits someone who possesses a strong analytical mindset and feels equally comfortable navigating SAP S/4HANA systems as they do collaborating with international stakeholders to drive organizational change.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves leading the Program Management Office (PMO) for the group's ESG strategy. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of the annual CSRD report, which includes coordinating with auditors, performing gap analyses, and ensuring the company meets evolving European regulatory standards. Beyond reporting, you will drive the development of IT-supported KPI dashboards and the global rollout of Greenhouse Gas accounting. This includes defining the technical parameters for data collection and ensuring that sustainability metrics are integrated into the broader corporate management system.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in CSRD and ESRS frameworks within a complex, multinational manufacturing context. Implementing these standards from the ground up provides a masterclass in modern corporate compliance and non-financial reporting. Additionally, the role offers significant exposure to SAP S/4HANA and BI tools for sustainability. You will learn how to build automated reporting structures and leverage digital innovations, including artificial intelligence, to streamline ESG data management.

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

The ideal candidate brings several years of experience in finance, strategy, or sustainability consulting. A strong background in accounting or auditing is particularly valuable given the focus on CSRD and materiality assessments. Technical proficiency is a must, specifically with MS Office and SAP systems. You should be an analytical thinker who can translate complex regulatory requirements into structured projects while maintaining a team-oriented approach in an international environment.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Highlight your experience with regulatory frameworks like CSRD or the EU Taxonomy. Since this role sits within the Strategy function of a holding company, demonstrating your ability to manage complex projects across different business units will be a key differentiator. Given the company’s focus on digital transformation, emphasize your interest in AI and digital tools for sustainability. Show how you have used data-driven insights to influence strategic decision-making in previous roles.

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

The role focuses heavily on Environmental and Governance (E & G) aspects. On the environmental side, the primary engine is the rollout of comprehensive GHG accounting and the decarbonization of the industrial footprint. On the governance side, the focus is on creating a transparent reporting architecture. You will help ensure that the company's sustainability claims are backed by rigorous data, aligning with the highest standards of corporate transparency and accountability.

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

One significant challenge will be data siloing across diverse international subsidiaries. Consolidating sustainability metrics into a unified KPI dashboard requires overcoming technical hurdles and varying levels of ESG maturity across different regions. Another challenge is the rapidly changing regulatory landscape. You will need to stay ahead of new legal requirements and translate them into concrete recommendations for the board, often under tight reporting deadlines.

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

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting for the ESG program, tracking the progress of various workstreams across the group. Afternoon sessions could involve deep-diving into SAP BI to refine the logic behind a new KPI dashboard. You might also spend time in consultation with internal stakeholders from IT or Finance to align on data collection methodologies, or review the latest draft of the sustainability report to ensure compliance with auditor expectations.

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

This position offers a high-visibility path into strategic leadership. Because the role involves direct contact with senior management and auditors, successful candidates can establish themselves as key experts in the group's strategic evolution. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into specialized areas like sustainable supply chain management, corporate strategy, or financial controlling, given the overlapping nature of current ESG regulations with traditional business functions.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with the Strategy and Finance teams at the holding level, as well as the IT department for system integrations. These internal partnerships are crucial for building a robust reporting infrastructure. Externally, your main points of contact will be auditors and ESG consultants. You will also engage with sustainability leads at various international subsidiaries to ensure a harmonized approach to the group's ESG goals.

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