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ESG & Sustainability Manager

Group of Butchers • Netherlands • Added on Jun 26, 2026
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As ESG & Sustainability Manager at Group of Butchers, you take the lead in professionalizing the company’s sustainability approach. You’ll own the structuring of data and the reporting obligations across a dynamic production environment. Rather than just advising, you make sure compliance requirements are actually embedded into day-to-day operations.

This role matters because the food sector faces major challenges around supply chain transparency and regulation. By turning ESG goals into something tangible for procurement and production, you help a market leader in fresh products become future-proof and meet complex frameworks like CSRD and EUDR. Your work forms the backbone of the sustainable transformation across the entire chain.

This suits someone who is pragmatic and able to translate complex subject matter into concrete actions. You bring strong analytical skills and enjoy bringing structure to an entrepreneurial, fast-growing organization where results matter most.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary objective is to transition the company's ESG efforts from a foundational phase to a structured, professionalized framework. You will be responsible for ensuring full compliance with emerging regulations such as CSRD, SBTi, and EUDR, while managing external disclosures through platforms like EcoVadis and CDP. Beyond reporting, you will act as a bridge between high-level ESG strategy and operational reality. This involves improving data quality, embedding sustainability requirements into procurement processes, and coordinating sustainability projects across various business units to ensure a cohesive group-wide approach.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Working in a high-growth food production environment offers a unique opportunity to master the implementation of CSRD in a complex, multi-site operational context. You will gain deep expertise in supply chain due diligence and the specific sustainability challenges of the meat and convenience food industry. Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with Finance and Operations will sharpen your ability to integrate non-financial KPIs into corporate governance. This role provides a front-row seat to how a market leader adapts its business model to meet the European Green Deal's stringent requirements.

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

The ideal candidate combines analytical rigor with a pragmatic, 'hands-on' mentality suitable for the food industry. You should have a solid background in ESG reporting and a clear understanding of sustainability frameworks, supported by an academic degree (HBO/WO) and relevant professional experience. Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, as you will need to influence departments ranging from Finance to Operations. Experience within FMCG or production environments is highly valued, particularly if you have previously navigated the complexities of supply chain compliance.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to turn theory into practice. Provide examples of how you have previously moved beyond policy creation to actual implementation within a business. Show that you understand the tension between sustainability goals and the operational speed of a fresh-food company. Highlight your technical familiarity with ESG data management and your specific knowledge of CSRD. Emphasize your entrepreneurial mindset, as Group of Butchers values individuals who take ownership and thrive in a fast-paced, direct communication culture.

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

The role focuses heavily on compliance and transparency. A significant portion of your work will involve the supply chain, ensuring that suppliers meet social and environmental standards, which is vital for a company dealing with raw meat and fresh ingredients. Additionally, you will focus on carbon accounting and climate goals via SBTi. Your impact will be measured by how well you can integrate these environmental targets into the procurement and production cycles, ensuring that sustainability becomes a core business driver rather than a peripheral activity.

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

One of the main challenges will be data collection and quality across 27 different production locations. Standardizing ESG metrics in a decentralized, diverse group of companies requires persistence and strong organizational skills. balancing the regulatory pressure of CSRD with the pragmatic needs of a production-focused workforce can be difficult. You will need to overcome internal resistance by proving that ESG compliance adds value to the bottom line and is a necessity for maintaining retailer relationships.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing the latest data for an EcoVadis assessment, followed by a meeting with the Finance team to align ESG disclosures with the annual report. You might then spend time speaking with the Procurement head to discuss new supplier requirements under EUDR. In the afternoon, you could be translating complex legislative changes into actionable checklists for production managers or coordinating a group-wide sustainability project. The role is dynamic, shifting between technical reporting tasks and strategic discussions with stakeholders.

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

As the first dedicated ESG & Sustainability Manager in this phase, you have the opportunity to shape the entire function. As the company grows internationally, this role could evolve into a more senior leadership position overseeing a larger sustainability team. Success in this role will build a powerful profile in ESG governance, positioning you as an expert who can navigate the intersection of food production and European sustainability law. Your visibility to senior management offers a clear path toward strategic influence within the group.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with the Finance and Control teams to ensure reporting accuracy and governance. These internal partners are crucial for integrating ESG data into the company's broader financial systems. External stakeholders include retailers and wholesalers who demand high sustainability standards, as well as auditors and regulatory bodies. Internally, you will also collaborate closely with Procurement and Operations managers across various sites to implement sustainable practices on the ground.

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