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Team Leader Corporate Sustainability

DACHSER • Germany • Added on Jul 28, 2026
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As the leader of the Corporate Sustainability team, you will bridge the gap between high-level ESG strategy and operational execution. Your primary focus is to drive the decarbonization roadmap, managing a portfolio of climate protection projects while guiding a team of specialists to meet ambitious transition targets.

In the heavy-emissions world of logistics, this role is a critical lever for systemic change. You will move DACHSER beyond simple reporting by shaping zero-emission transition initiatives that directly reduce the carbon intensity of global supply chains, creating tangible environmental impact at an immense industrial scale.

This suits someone who possesses a strong mix of strategic foresight and people leadership, likely coming from a background in logistics or industrial climate management where they have successfully translated complex sustainability goals into actionable project portfolios.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves disciplinary and functional leadership of the Corporate Sustainability team. You will be responsible for defining clear priorities, managing resources, and ensuring your team members grow professionally while hitting strategic milestones. You will actively shape the company's climate protection strategy by translating high-level objectives into concrete roadmaps. This includes overseeing the development and management of a portfolio of projects dedicated to the zero-emission transition across the logistics network. Additionally, you will serve as a senior advisor for internal and external stakeholders. You are expected to design customer-centric sustainability solutions that integrate environmental goals with the practical realities of freight and transport logistics.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in large-scale industrial decarbonization, specifically learning how to navigate the technical and economic complexities of transitioning a global logistics fleet to zero emissions. There is significant exposure to international stakeholder management and corporate R&D. You will refine your skills in portfolio management, learning how to balance diverse sustainability projects against commercial constraints in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. The role also offers high-level mentorship through the DACHSER Academy, providing structured paths to enhance both regional and global leadership competencies within the supply chain sector.

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

The ideal profile holds a degree in Sustainability Management, Engineering, or Logistics and brings several years of professional experience in climate protection, preferably within the transport or supply chain industry. You should demonstrate strong leadership credentials and the ability to manage multifaceted project portfolios. Technical knowledge in decarbonization pathways and carbon accounting is essential for making informed strategic decisions. Soft skills are just as vital. We look for someone who can simplify complex strategic questions into practical solutions and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences, from warehouse managers to executive boards.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability knowledge and demonstrate a deep understanding of the logistics industry's specific challenges, such as the scalability of alternative fuels or fleet electrification. Highlight your experience in people management and your ability to lead teams through organizational change. Evidence of successfully launching a sustainability project that had a measurable impact on carbon reduction will be highly valued. Ensure your application reflects an alignment with family-owned corporate values, emphasizing long-term stability and people-oriented business practices, which are central to the culture at this company.

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

The role is heavily focused on the Zero-Emission Transition, which is the cornerstone of the company's environmental strategy. You will spend significant time on initiatives that target Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions reduction. Expect to work on green logistics solutions for clients, helping them optimize their own climate balance sheets through innovative transport and warehousing services developed by your team. There is also a strong governance and reporting aspect, as you will need to monitor progress, manage risks, and ensure that sustainability KPIs are integrated into the broader corporate performance framework.

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

The most significant challenge will be managing the trade-off between ambitious climate targets and the operational realities of a global, high-volume transport network where infrastructure for green energy is still maturing. You may also face internal resistance or technical bottlenecks in transitioning legacy systems. Driving cultural change across a distributed global workforce of over 15,000 people requires immense persistence and diplomatic skill. Balancing the disciplinary leadership of a team with high-level strategic advisory duties means you will need to be excellent at time management and prioritization.

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

A typical day might begin with a team stand-up meeting to review progress on current decarbonization projects and address any resource roadblocks your specialists are facing. Midday could involve meetings with R&D or IT departments to discuss the integration of new sustainability tracking tools or the rollout of low-emission vehicle trials at specific logistics hubs. Afternoons are often dedicated to strategic reporting or stakeholder consulting, where you might present project risks and hand-over points to senior management or collaborate with the HR team on sustainability training initiatives.

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

This position offers a clear path toward senior executive roles within the sustainability or R&D functions. As the logistics industry enters a decade of transformation, your role as a transition expert will be highly visible. There are opportunities to lead global cross-functional task forces, putting you at the center of the company's innovation department and exposing you to high-stakes decision-making. The DACHSER Academy provides a platform for continuous professional development, allowing you to move into broader corporate leadership or specialized strategic planning roles as the company grows.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Head of Corporate Sustainability and other department heads within R&D, Innovation, and HR to align ESG goals with business operations. External stakeholders include key clients and logistics partners who are seeking sustainable supply chain solutions, as well as technology providers in the clean-energy and transport space. Internally, your direct team of sustainability specialists is your primary focus, but you will also engage with branch managers across the global network to implement decentralized climate measures.

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