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Sustainability Manager

Hearth & Home Technologies United States Added on Aug 24, 2026
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As the enterprise lead for sustainability at Hearth & Home Technologies, you will be the primary architect of the company’s environmental roadmap across multiple manufacturing sites. This is a highly visible position where you will move beyond high-level strategy to execute tangible reductions in energy consumption, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. You will own the full lifecycle of these initiatives, from identifying technical improvements in operations to managing the complex data required for performance tracking.

This role is critical because HHT is the nation’s leading manufacturer in the hearth industry, meaning your work directly influences the environmental footprint of residential heating products found in millions of homes. By driving circularity and decarbonization within a large-scale manufacturing environment, you are transforming a traditional industrial legacy into a modern, resource-efficient enterprise. It is a rare chance to see your carbon reduction strategies materialize on the factory floor.

This suits someone who possesses a strong technical background in engineering or environmental science and excels at influencing cross-functional leaders. You should be a hands-on strategist comfortable with 40% travel to bridge the gap between corporate goals and operational reality.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and executing the enterprise-wide sustainability roadmap. This involves setting ambitious yet achievable goals for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy efficiency, and waste reduction across all manufacturing and corporate sites. You will lead the implementation of circularity initiatives and specific environmental projects that provide both measurable carbon savings and financial returns. Additionally, you will be the primary custodian of sustainability metrics, ensuring accurate reporting and building organizational capacity through internal training and engagement.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers deep exposure to large-scale industrial decarbonization, providing a unique learning environment for anyone looking to master greenhouse gas accounting and life cycle assessments (LCA) in a manufacturing context. You will gain experience in balancing operational excellence with environmental stewardship. Furthermore, because the role involves significant cross-functional interaction, you will refine your skills in change leadership and stakeholder influence. Working within the HNI Corporation framework also provides exposure to enterprise-level ESG reporting standards and best practices in continuous improvement and Lean methodologies.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least seven years of experience, likely coming from a manufacturing or continuous improvement background where they have already successfully led multi-site environmental initiatives. A degree in engineering or environmental science is expected to handle the technical aspects of energy and emissions management. Soft skills are just as vital; the hiring team looks for strong business acumen and the ability to speak the language of both executive leadership and factory floor operators. Certifications like CEM (Certified Energy Manager) or LEED, along with Lean Six Sigma experience, will significantly elevate a candidate's profile.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability concepts and highlight specific, quantifiable environmental wins you have achieved in previous roles, such as percentage reductions in energy spend or tons of waste diverted. Mentioning experience with specific frameworks like the GHG Protocol or TCFD will demonstrate technical readiness. Since this role is embedded in a member-owned culture, your application should reflect an alignment with integrity and collaborative leadership. Demonstrating that you understand the link between sustainability and operational efficiency in a manufacturing setting will prove you can deliver value in HHT’s specific business model.

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

The role focuses heavily on operational environmental impact, specifically targeting the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with hearth product manufacturing. This includes energy audits, transitioning to renewable sources, and optimizing supply chain logistics to lower Scope 3 emissions. There is also a significant emphasis on circularity and resource efficiency. You will likely work on projects aimed at reducing raw material waste and exploring ways to incorporate more sustainable materials or end-of-life recycling programs into the fireplace and stove product lines.

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

One of the primary challenges will be driving cultural change across multiple locations with differing operational priorities. You must be able to convince site managers that sustainability projects are not just 'extra work' but essential drivers of long-term business resilience and cost savings. Additionally, managing the data integrity for enterprise-level reporting across diverse brands and facilities can be complex. You will need to build robust systems to track metrics accurately in an environment that may still be maturing its sustainability data collection processes.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing energy performance data from one of the manufacturing plants, followed by a meeting with the engineering team to discuss a new waste-to-value project. You might spend the afternoon drafting a briefing for executive leadership on ESG progress. Given the 30-40% travel requirement, many days will be spent on-site at different facilities, walking the floor to identify efficiency opportunities and conducting training sessions. You will act as a bridge, ensuring that the high-level roadmap is being translated into daily operational habits.

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

As a highly visible enterprise lead, successful performance in this role could lead to higher executive leadership positions within the sustainability or operations functions of HHT or its parent company, HNI Corporation. You will be positioned as a top-tier subject matter expert. There are also opportunities for broadening your professional scope by leading high-impact, global-scale projects. The role’s focus on business results ensures that your successes are recognized by C-suite stakeholders, providing a platform for significant career advancement in the ESG space.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with Operations and Engineering teams to implement technical changes on the production lines. Engaging with the Supply Chain team is also critical for addressing indirect environmental impacts and sourcing sustainable materials. Beyond the floor, you will collaborate with Executive Leadership to report on progress and secure investment for new initiatives. External stakeholders may include industry associations, sustainability consultants, and ESG rating agencies who monitor the company’s environmental performance.

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