Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to architect and execute a comprehensive ESG strategy across the global holding company, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into the operational DNA of every portfolio brand. You will be responsible for defining the 'Planet, People, Products, and Practices' pillars, translating these into actionable roadmaps and measurable KPIs for diverse business units. Beyond strategy, you will own the ESG governance framework , which includes staffing and leading the Sustainability Steering Committee. You will also oversee the transition to CSRD-aligned reporting , ensuring that data from eighteen production sites is accurate, auditable, and strategically useful for decision-making.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers unparalleled exposure to the complexities of multi-site manufacturing and the intricacies of international ESG regulations across different European jurisdictions. You will deepen your expertise in regulatory compliance as you navigate the implementation of ESRS and GRI standards within a rapidly expanding group infrastructure. Furthermore, you will gain significant experience in change management at an executive level. Balancing the unique identities of independent snack and frozen food brands while creating a unified group culture provides a rare opportunity to master the art of strategic sustainability influence .

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

Your focus will be heavily weighted toward operational decarbonization and supply chain transparency. This involves coordinating initiatives across climate, energy efficiency, and waste reduction within the 18 production sites. Given the company's industry, responsible sourcing and packaging innovation will be critical priorities to meet customer and regulatory expectations. There is also a significant social and governance component, specifically around human rights and health and safety across the international workforce. You will be the architect of the systems that ensure these values are consistently upheld from the United Kingdom to Italy.

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

The most significant challenge will be standardizing ESG data and practices across companies that have their own legacy systems and distinct local cultures. You will need to build technical reporting readiness for CSRD in a fast-growing environment where central oversight must be balanced with local entrepreneurial agility. Additionally, managing the competing priorities of different functions—such as Procurement, R&D, and Finance—can be difficult. Ensuring that ESG goals are not seen as a burden but as a value-creation tool requires constant negotiation and the ability to demonstrate the business case for sustainability.

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

A typical day might begin with a governance meeting , reviewing KPI progress with the Sustainability Steering Committee to ensure alignment with the Group's strategic pillars. You might then spend several hours collaborating with the Procurement or R&D departments to refine guidelines for sustainable ingredient sourcing or eco-friendly packaging initiatives. In the afternoon, you could transition to a technical deep dive into reporting workflows, troubleshooting data collection issues with a production site lead in another country. The day often concludes with external stakeholder engagement , such as representing the group in industry forums or meeting with consultants to prepare for upcoming ESG audits.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with the Board of Directors and the ESG Committee , providing them with the insights needed to steer group strategy. Internally, your closest partners will be heads of Operations, Finance, and HR , as well as local management teams at the various production sites. Externally, you will be the face of IDAK Food Group for customers, certification bodies, and ESG consultants . Navigating this network of stakeholders requires the ability to translate complex technical ESG requirements into persuasive business language tailored to each specific audience.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to architect and execute a comprehensive ESG strategy across the global holding company, ensuring that sustainability is integrated into the operational DNA of every portfolio brand. You will be responsible for defining the 'Planet, People, Products, and Practices' pillars, translating these into actionable roadmaps and measurable KPIs for diverse business units. Beyond strategy, you will own the ESG governance framework, which includes staffing and leading the Sustainability Steering Committee. You will also oversee the transition to CSRD-aligned reporting, ensuring that data from eighteen production sites is accurate, auditable, and strategically useful for decision-making.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

This role offers unparalleled exposure to the complexities of multi-site manufacturing and the intricacies of international ESG regulations across different European jurisdictions. You will deepen your expertise in regulatory compliance as you navigate the implementation of ESRS and GRI standards within a rapidly expanding group infrastructure. Furthermore, you will gain significant experience in change management at an executive level. Balancing the unique identities of independent snack and frozen food brands while creating a unified group culture provides a rare opportunity to master the art of strategic sustainability influence.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings at least 10 years of professional seasoning in ESG or strategic transformation roles, preferably within the food and beverage or manufacturing sectors. You should possess a high level of technical literacy regarding SBTi, EcoVadis, and CSRD/ESRS, as these will be the cornerstones of your reporting architecture. Soft skills are equally vital; the role requires a diplomatic yet assertive influencer who can navigate a multi-cultural environment. Fluency in English is mandatory, but additional proficiency in French, German, or Italian will significantly differentiate candidates by allowing deeper engagement with local site managers.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond discussing high-level 'passion for sustainability' and focus your application on quantifiable transformation experience. Detail specific instances where you successfully implemented ESG governance or reporting systems across multiple sites or business units, highlighting how you managed data quality and stakeholder resistance. Analytical proximity to the food industry's specific challenges, such as sustainable sourcing and waste management in frozen logistics, will demonstrate immediate value. In your cover letter, explain how you would tackle the integration of ESG into a holding company structure where portfolio companies maintain their own operational independence.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Your focus will be heavily weighted toward operational decarbonization and supply chain transparency. This involves coordinating initiatives across climate, energy efficiency, and waste reduction within the 18 production sites. Given the company's industry, responsible sourcing and packaging innovation will be critical priorities to meet customer and regulatory expectations. There is also a significant social and governance component, specifically around human rights and health and safety across the international workforce. You will be the architect of the systems that ensure these values are consistently upheld from the United Kingdom to Italy.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The most significant challenge will be standardizing ESG data and practices across companies that have their own legacy systems and distinct local cultures. You will need to build technical reporting readiness for CSRD in a fast-growing environment where central oversight must be balanced with local entrepreneurial agility. Additionally, managing the competing priorities of different functions—such as Procurement, R&D, and Finance—can be difficult. Ensuring that ESG goals are not seen as a burden but as a value-creation tool requires constant negotiation and the ability to demonstrate the business case for sustainability.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with a governance meeting, reviewing KPI progress with the Sustainability Steering Committee to ensure alignment with the Group's strategic pillars. You might then spend several hours collaborating with the Procurement or R&D departments to refine guidelines for sustainable ingredient sourcing or eco-friendly packaging initiatives. In the afternoon, you could transition to a technical deep dive into reporting workflows, troubleshooting data collection issues with a production site lead in another country. The day often concludes with external stakeholder engagement, such as representing the group in industry forums or meeting with consultants to prepare for upcoming ESG audits.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

As a high-visibility leadership role reporting to the upper echelons of a growing group, the growth potential is substantial. You have the opportunity to define the 'future ESG operating model' of the company, effectively carving out your own path as a top-tier ESG executive within the European food industry. Successful execution of this mandate could lead to broader strategic leadership roles within the group or the opportunity to spearhead major M&A integration projects from a sustainability perspective, ensuring new acquisitions meet the group's ESG standards from day one.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact frequently with the Board of Directors and the ESG Committee, providing them with the insights needed to steer group strategy. Internally, your closest partners will be heads of Operations, Finance, and HR, as well as local management teams at the various production sites. Externally, you will be the face of IDAK Food Group for customers, certification bodies, and ESG consultants. Navigating this network of stakeholders requires the ability to translate complex technical ESG requirements into persuasive business language tailored to each specific audience.

Group ESG Director

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