--- title: Sustainability Lead-Central EMEA canonical: https://csrjobs.club/jobs/ds-smith-sustainability-lead-central-emea-4uzh locale: en description: DS Smith is hiring a Sustainability Lead-Central EMEA on CSR Jobs. Discover this in-house sustainability role and apply today. updated: 2026-09-25 company: DS Smith country: Poland contract: Full time seniority: Senior missions: Strategic planning, Stakeholders engagement, Responsible communication, Eco-conception job_type: Sustainability Manager posted: 2026-09-25 valid_through: 2026-11-25 apply: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4463865373 source: CSR Jobs --- # Sustainability Lead-Central EMEA The Sustainability Lead for Central EMEA takes ownership of the regional sustainability roadmap, bridging the gap between global strategy and local commercial execution. You will act as the primary advisor for the Sales and Innovation teams, ensuring that environmental performance becomes a core part of the customer value proposition. This involves translating complex regulatory and technical ESG requirements into actionable growth opportunities across the region. This role is vital because it moves sustainability from a reporting function to a commercial driver within the circular economy. By embedding **decarbonization and circularity** into strategic client partnerships, you directly influence how large-scale manufacturing reduces its footprint. You are the voice of the company’s environmental mission at major industry events and high-stakes customer negotiations, making the vision of circular packaging a tangible reality. This suits someone who possesses a strong commercial mindset and the ability to influence stakeholders in a complex matrix environment. You should be comfortable navigating technical ESG disclosures while maintaining a high-level strategic focus on regional market trends. ## Job FAQs ### What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role? The primary mission is to **drive the regional sustainability vision** by aligning Central EMEA operations with the broader Group strategy. You will be responsible for translating high-level ESG goals into localized action plans that resonate with customers and internal sales teams. Your day-to-day will involve **leading customer collaborations**, supporting high-value tenders (RFIs), and acting as the subject matter expert for sustainability disclosures. You are expected to bridge the gap between technical environmental requirements and commercial growth, ensuring packaging solutions are both sustainable and profitable. Furthermore, you will represent the organization at industry events and trade fairs, acting as a public-facing advocate for **circular economy principles** and sustainable manufacturing practices across multiple countries. ### Key learning opportunities for this job In this role, you will gain deep exposure to the **circular economy at scale** within a major manufacturing context. You will learn how to navigate complex ESG regulations and disclosure frameworks across diverse European markets, improving your understanding of regional legislative nuances. There is a significant opportunity to develop **strategic commercial skills** by working directly with sales and innovation teams to package sustainability as a competitive advantage. You will also sharpen your public speaking and advocacy skills by representing the firm at international conferences and industry-wide sustainability forums. ### How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)? The ideal candidate brings several years of experience in **ESG or sustainability management**, preferably within an industrial or manufacturing setting. A degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or a business-related field provides the necessary foundation for the technical and strategic demands of the role. Soft skills are paramount here; you need to be a **persuasive communicator** capable of managing diverse stakeholders in a matrix organization. Fluency in English is essential, and an analytical mindset will help you interpret sustainability data to provide actionable insights for commercial teams. ### Advice to stand out and make a successful application To stand out, demonstrate your ability to **connect sustainability metrics to business value**. Highlight specific instances where your interventions in ESG strategy led to improved customer relationships or successful commercial bids, as this role is heavily focused on the intersection of impact and growth. Since this is a regional lead position, emphasize your experience working across **different European markets** and your comfort with traveling. Research the company's specific 'Now and Next' sustainability goals to show you are already aligned with their circularity roadmap. ### What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on? The role focuses heavily on **circularity and carbon reduction** within the packaging supply chain. You will likely spend significant time on initiatives that help customers reduce their scope 3 emissions through optimized packaging design and recycling services. Additionally, there is a strong focus on **transparency and disclosure**, ensuring that all regional activities comply with evolving ESG reporting standards and customer expectations for environmental data accuracy. ### What are the main challenges someone in this role might face? A primary challenge will be **influencing stakeholders in a matrix structure** where you may not have direct authority over the sales or production teams you need to align. You must be able to build consensus across different departments and cultural contexts within the EMEA region. Another challenge is balancing **long-term sustainability goals** with short-term commercial pressures. You will need to convincingly argue the business case for sustainable transitions to stakeholders who may be focused on immediate operational costs. ### How could a typical day look like for someone in this position? A typical day might begin with a **coordination meeting** with the Global Sustainability team to align on strategy, followed by a session with the regional Sales team to review environmental requirements for an upcoming major tender. You might spend the afternoon developing **sustainability training materials** for internal staff or preparing a presentation for an upcoming industry conference. The day often concludes with stakeholder calls to manage regional sustainability disclosures and customer feedback. ### What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role? Growth in this role involves moving into **higher-level strategic leadership** within the global sustainability function or transitioning into senior commercial management where ESG expertise is a core requirement. Given the company’s scale, there are opportunities to lead **high-visibility global projects**, potentially moving into executive-level sustainability roles or specialized lead positions in climate transition or circular innovation. ### The main stakeholders you might be interacting with Internal stakeholders include **Sales, Marketing, and Innovation teams**, as well as the Global Sustainability leadership. You will work closely with local site managers to ensure strategy implementation at the operational level. Externally, you will interact with **strategic customers**, sustainability NGOs, industry bodies, and regulatory agencies. Managing these external relationships is key to positioning the company as a leader in the circular economy. --- Source: https://csrjobs.club/jobs/ds-smith-sustainability-lead-central-emea-4uzh