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Director of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

DRiV • United States • Added on Sep 21, 2026
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As the Director of ESG within the Global Purchasing function, you will be the primary architect of regional sustainability strategies for a major automotive aftermarket player. You will own the translation of broad corporate ESG goals into concrete, actionable procurement standards, ensuring that every link in the supply chain aligns with modern environmental and social expectations. This role is less about internal policy and more about operationalizing ethics across a complex network of global suppliers.

This position matters because the automotive manufacturing sector faces intense pressure to decarbonize and ensure ethical labor practices deep within its tiers. By leading responsible sourcing initiatives, you directly mitigate high-level environmental risks and drive the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices at scale. Your work ensures that the legacy brands of the future are built on a foundation of transparency and accountability.

This suits someone who possesses a deep background in supply chain dynamics and the resilience to lead through influence in a matrixed, multinational environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves providing strategic leadership for ESG priorities within the regional purchasing department. This includes translating global enterprise commitments into local operating plans and actionable supplier requirements. You will be responsible for defining what 'responsible sourcing' looks like for the region and ensuring these standards are met across the vendor base. Operationally, you will establish work plans, manage functional budgets, and lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex ESG issues. You will also oversee supplier due diligence and risk identification processes, ensuring the company remains compliant with evolving regulations while maintaining business continuity through a stable, ethical supply chain.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an exceptional vantage point into the decarbonization of the automotive supply chain, a critical frontier in global climate action. You will gain hands-on experience in implementing large-scale ESG due diligence frameworks and navigating the regulatory complexities of a multi-brand manufacturing environment. Furthermore, the position provides exposure to executive-level decision-making and high-level cross-functional collaboration. Working alongside Legal, Finance, and Engineering departments will sharpen your ability to integrate sustainability into various business functions beyond just procurement, broadening your expertise in corporate governance and risk management.

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

The ideal candidate brings over a decade of experience in sustainability, supply chain, or purchasing, with a proven track record of leading complex cross-functional programs. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like Environmental Science or Supply Chain is required, while a Master’s degree is highly preferred given the strategic nature of the role. You should demonstrate advanced analytical skills, capable of turning raw supplier data into clear performance dashboards and actionable insights. Strong leadership through influence is vital, as you will need to align diverse stakeholders across different countries and organizational levels without always having direct hierarchical authority.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, focus your application on specific examples where you successfully integrated ESG metrics into procurement decisions. Highlight your experience with recognized reporting frameworks and supplier assessment tools, as these are critical for the role's success in a manufacturing context. Demonstrate your understanding of the automotive industry's unique challenges, such as scope 3 emissions and human rights risks in raw material sourcing. Tailor your resume to show how you have navigated matrixed organizational structures to drive policy adoption, as this ability to influence across departments is a key requirement for a Director-level position at DRiV.

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

The role centers heavily on Responsible Sourcing and supply chain transparency. You will likely focus on ensuring that suppliers meet strict environmental and social criteria, ranging from carbon footprint reductions to fair labor practices. This is essential for a company with a massive manufacturing footprint and thousands of external partners. Additionally, there will be a strong focus on ESG Governance and reporting. You will be the regional lead for gathering data that feeds into global sustainability disclosures, ensuring that the company’s ESG claims are backed by rigorous, verified data from the purchasing function.

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

One of the primary hurdles will be the complexity of the supply chain. Managing ESG risks across dozens of brands and hundreds of suppliers requires immense coordination and the ability to handle data gaps or resistance from vendors who may not be as far along in their sustainability journey. Balancing sustainability goals with cost and procurement efficiency is another significant challenge. You will need to make a compelling business case for responsible sourcing, proving that environmental and social due diligence reduces long-term risk and adds value to the bottom line in a highly competitive manufacturing market.

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

A typical day involves a mix of high-level strategy meetings and granular data review. You might start by coordinating with Global Purchasing leadership to align on new supplier expectations, followed by a session with the EHS and Legal teams to review regional regulatory updates that impact sourcing policies. Your afternoon might be spent analyzing supplier risk assessments or coaching regional procurement teams on how to engage vendors regarding their ESG performance. The role is highly collaborative, requiring constant communication across different time zones and functional departments to ensure consistent execution of the ESG roadmap.

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

Given that this is a Director-level role, there is significant potential to influence the long-term strategic direction of the company's global sustainability efforts. Success here could lead to even broader executive responsibilities within the ESG or Supply Chain leadership teams at Tenneco. You will also have the opportunity to represent the company in industry-wide forums and sustainability coalitions, building a strong professional reputation as a leader in automotive ESG. The high visibility of this role ensures that your impact on the company’s transformation will be recognized by top-level management.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Global Purchasing leadership and their regional teams to ensure ESG initiatives are integrated into buying processes. You will also collaborate closely with 'internal experts' in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Legal, and Finance to ensure compliance and risk mitigation. Externally, your main stakeholders are the global supplier network. You will act as a bridge between the company’s ESG expectations and the suppliers' operational realities, often engaging with their leadership to drive improvements and ensure transparency throughout the value chain.

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