This manager shapes how Continental governs and sources natural rubber across its tire supply chain. The role connects supplier expectations, risk assessment, assurance, reporting and purchasing decisions, with work spanning internal policy and industry collaboration through the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber.
Natural rubber links tire production to environmental and social conditions in sourcing regions, as well as greenhouse gas emissions embedded in purchased materials. This position gives those issues practical weight: it helps assess supplier risks, improve traceability and assurance, and support data for Scope 3 reporting. Work with suppliers and industry partners also influences how responsible sourcing standards are applied across the sector.
This suits someone who can move between supply-chain data, sustainability frameworks and international stakeholder discussions, and who has experience in responsible sourcing or sustainability, ideally involving natural rubber or automotive supply chains.
Job FAQs
What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?
The role develops natural rubber governance and sourcing frameworks, translates sustainability expectations into supplier guidance, and works with purchasing teams to monitor supplier alignment. It also oversees risk assessment, assurance, mitigation plans and supplier improvement work.
A further focus is representing Continental in GPSNR and other industry initiatives, while coordinating annual sustainability data and reporting, including SPOTT, GPSNR, ESRS and customer requests. The position also supports natural rubber Scope 3 emissions data and leads the Rubberway supplier onboarding and risk processes.
Key learning opportunities for this job
The position could build practical knowledge of natural rubber supply chains, supplier assurance, and the application of sustainability standards in a global manufacturing business. Exposure to GPSNR working groups may deepen understanding of how industry frameworks and assurance models are developed.
The role also offers experience with supplier risk methods, sustainability data systems, ESRS and customer reporting, and Scope 3 purchased-goods emissions. Collaboration with purchasing, legal, suppliers and external organizations could develop negotiation and intercultural engagement skills.
How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?
The posting asks for a relevant degree and at least three years of experience in sustainability, responsible sourcing or supply-chain management. Experience in natural rubber or automotive is preferred, alongside knowledge of standards, assurance, risk assessment and reporting frameworks such as GPSNR, SPOTT, GRI or CDP.
A strong candidate would be comfortable interpreting supplier data, preparing auditable reporting, and discussing policy and performance with both internal teams and external partners. Negotiation, intercultural communication and the ability to turn broad requirements into workable supplier processes are also relevant.
Advice to stand out and make a successful application
Show how your experience connects sustainability requirements to supplier decisions. Use a specific example of assessing a supply-chain risk, setting a mitigation plan, or improving supplier data, and explain how progress was checked.
If you have worked with GPSNR, Rubberway, SPOTT, assurance systems or reporting frameworks, name the part you owned and the outcome. For interviews, prepare to discuss how you would balance consistent global standards with differences in supplier capacity and sourcing conditions.
What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?
The role focuses on responsible natural rubber sourcing, including supplier policy adoption, risk assessment, assurance and improvement plans. It also supports transparency through GPSNR, SPOTT, ESRS and customer reporting, with attention to supplier data quality.
Climate work is linked to purchased natural rubber and Scope 3 category 1 emissions. The job description also points to collaboration with NGOs, customers, regulators and industry groups on shared standards and risk mitigation, though it does not specify particular environmental or social targets.
What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?
A likely challenge is obtaining consistent, verifiable data across a complex natural rubber supply chain and turning it into credible assessments and reports. Suppliers may differ in their ability to meet policy and assurance requirements, so follow-up and capacity building may require sustained engagement.
The role also has to align internal teams and represent Continental in multi-stakeholder settings, where priorities and standards may not always match. Connecting industry-level frameworks to purchasing decisions and measurable supplier improvements could require careful coordination.
How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?
A day could include reviewing supplier risk or reporting data, discussing policy implementation with purchasing colleagues, and following up on assurance findings or corrective actions. The role may also coordinate work on Rubberway onboarding, supplier capacity building or natural rubber emissions data.
Some days could involve preparing for a GPSNR working group, aligning internal positions, or responding to customer reporting requests. The balance is likely to shift with annual reporting cycles, assurance deadlines and supplier project needs.
What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?
The position could build a specialist profile in responsible natural rubber sourcing, sustainability assurance and supply-chain emissions reporting. Experience with GPSNR and other stakeholder processes may also develop skills in industry standards and international policy engagement.
Over time, the combination of supplier strategy, reporting and procurement exposure could support broader sustainability or responsible sourcing leadership roles. The posting does not describe a specific promotion path, so development would likely depend on scope and organizational opportunities.
The main stakeholders you might be interacting with
Internal stakeholders likely include natural rubber lead buyers, purchasing teams, sustainability colleagues, and functions such as Legal, R&D and Marketing. They would work together on supplier requirements, risk response, data and sourcing decisions.
External contacts include natural rubber suppliers, GPSNR working groups, industry coalitions, NGOs, customers and potentially regulators. The role would engage these groups on standards, assurance, supplier improvement and reporting expectations.
CSR Jobs newsletter
Never miss the next opportunity
Get a curated selection of new CSR, ESG, and sustainability roles in your inbox. No daily noise, just useful opportunities.
You are subscribed
Want more relevant opportunities?
Share your LinkedIn profile so we can better understand the roles that may fit you. This step is optional.
You are all set!
Thanks for joining the CSR Jobs newsletter. Keep an eye on your inbox for sustainability opportunities.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
Cookies
CSR Jobs uses analytics and marketing cookies. You can decline without affecting your browsing.