Sustainability Manager – Biomass Fuels

The main mission of this role is to develop and refine the ISCC certification framework for biomass-based fuels, with a specific emphasis on biogas, biomethane, and bioLNG. You will own the technical criteria, principles, and indicators that define what sustainable production means for these value chains. That includes ensuring that traceability, chain of custody, and greenhouse gas (GHG) calculations are robust and aligned with EU legislation such as RED and RePowerEU. Your responsibilities span both analytical and communicative tasks. On the analytical side, you will monitor regulatory developments, assess market needs, and identify opportunities to improve the system. You will conduct plausibility checks and risk assessments to protect the integrity of ISCC certifications. On the communicative side, you will organise stakeholder consultations, participate in technical working groups, and deliver trainings on certification requirements. You will also represent ISCC at external events and contribute to communication materials. Longer-term, you are expected to strengthen internal expertise on biomass fuel supply chains, ensuring that ISCC remains a trusted reference for regulators and the market. The role is a blend of policy interpretation, standard development, and stakeholder engagement, all aimed at making sustainable biomass fuels verifiable and credible.

This role offers deep exposure to the European regulatory framework for renewable fuels. You will become fluent in RED, RePowerEU, and related implementing regulations, and you will learn how certification systems translate law into practice. That knowledge is highly transferable within the sustainability certification and bioenergy sectors. You will also gain hands-on experience in standard development, from drafting criteria to running stakeholder consultations and developing audit procedures. The technical focus on biogas, biomethane, and bioLNG means you will build specialised expertise in mass balance, traceability, and GHG calculation methodologies. ISCC's internal trainings and technical courses will support this, and you will have opportunities to attend external conferences and industry forums. Working alongside experienced auditors and certification experts, you will learn how to assess certification patterns and conduct plausibility checks. The international environment, with colleagues and stakeholders from many countries, will sharpen your cross-cultural communication skills. ISCC also promotes from within, so strong performance could lead to expanded responsibilities in scheme management or team leadership.

The ideal candidate holds a university degree in environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, biology, chemistry, or a related field. You have at least three years of professional experience, including direct work with biogas or biomethane. That experience could come from a certification body, an energy company, a consultancy, or a research institution. Familiarity with sustainability certification systems and EU legislation such as RED and RePowerEU is expected. Technically, you should understand anaerobic digestion, biomass fuel value chains, and related technologies like bioLNG. Knowledge of mass balance approaches, traceability systems, or GHG calculations is a strong asset. You are analytical and structured, able to work independently and think strategically. Excellent English (C1 or above) is required, and additional languages are welcome. Soft skills matter too. You will need very good communication and presentation skills, since you will train auditors, engage regulators, and represent ISCC externally. High IT affinity, including MS Office and databases, is important for document development and data analysis. A willingness to travel internationally is essential. Above all, you should be passionate about sustainability and comfortable working in a diverse, mission-driven team.

Your cover letter should go beyond general enthusiasm for sustainability. ISCC needs to see that you understand the specific technical and regulatory context of biomass fuels. Mention your direct experience with biogas or biomethane, and be concrete about the projects you worked on. If you have hands-on knowledge of mass balance, traceability, or GHG calculations, highlight that in your CV with examples. For instance, describe a certification audit you supported or a GHG assessment you conducted. Show that you can navigate EU legislation. Refer to RED, RePowerEU, or IR 2022/996 in your application, and explain how you have applied such rules in practice. ISCC is a standard-setting body, so demonstrate that you can write clearly and think systematically. If you have experience drafting guidance documents, audit procedures, or training materials, include those in your portfolio or describe them briefly. A meaningful cover letter should also convey why ISCC's mission resonates with you, not just sustainability in general. Prepare for interviews by reviewing ISCC EU documents and recent regulatory developments. Be ready to discuss how you would approach a specific technical challenge, such as ensuring traceability in a complex biomethane supply chain. ISCC values independent, structured thinkers, so show how you organise your work and communicate complex ideas simply. Finally, note that ISCC is a Great Place to Work certified company with a diverse team; a collaborative, respectful tone will serve you well.

This role sits at the core of ISCC's environmental and governance mission. The primary focus is ensuring that biogas, biomethane, and bioLNG supply chains meet stringent sustainability criteria, particularly around traceability, mass balance, and greenhouse gas reductions. You will contribute directly to ISCC EU, the certification scheme that verifies compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive and related regulations. That means your work supports the decarbonisation of the transport and energy sectors by making sure renewable fuels are genuinely sustainable. Governance aspects are equally present. You will help develop the rules that certified companies must follow, and you will support the integrity program through risk assessments and plausibility checks. This is not a role focused on corporate CSR reporting or community investment. Instead, it is about the architecture of credible certification: setting standards, ensuring they are auditable, and defending them in dialogues with regulators. The social dimension appears indirectly, as ISCC's principles cover environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable sourcing, but the day-to-day emphasis is on environmental integrity and regulatory alignment for biomass fuels. You will also engage with global and regional market needs, identifying where the system could be optimised. That gives you a view of how sustainability criteria evolve across different geographies and how certification can drive real change in agricultural and waste-based supply chains.

One likely challenge is the fast pace of EU legislation on renewable energy and biomass. Keeping up with amendments to RED, RePowerEU, and implementing regulations requires constant monitoring and a talent for interpreting legal texts quickly. You will often need to translate ambiguous regulatory language into clear, auditable criteria, which can be demanding when guidance is still evolving. Another challenge lies in the technical complexity of biogas and biomethane supply chains. Mass balance systems, traceability approaches, and GHG calculations can be intricate, especially when multiple feedstocks and conversion processes are involved. Ensuring that ISCC's requirements are both rigorous and practical for operators demands a deep understanding of anaerobic digestion and bioLNG technologies. You will also need to defend the system's integrity when plausibility checks reveal irregularities, which may require difficult conversations with certified companies or auditors. Stakeholder management is a third area of difficulty. Regulators, auditors, and industry representatives often have different priorities. Building consensus around new or revised criteria can be slow and politically sensitive. The role requires patience, clear communication, and the ability to stay neutral while upholding ISCC's mission.

A typical day for the Sustainability Manager – Biomass Fuels likely begins with reviewing updates in EU legislation or market developments, since the role explicitly includes monitoring and interpreting relevant regulations. You might then spend a focused block drafting or revising system documents, such as audit procedures for biogas plants or guidance on mass balance and GHG calculations. This writing time is often interrupted by internal team exchanges to align on interpretations or prepare training materials. Afternoons could involve virtual or in-person meetings with auditors, certification bodies, or regulators. You might join a technical working group on biomethane traceability, or prepare slides for an upcoming ISCC training session. Some days are dedicated to plausibility checks and risk assessments, where you examine certification patterns in the biomethane market and follow up on anomalies. The role is based in Cologne but includes occasional international travel, so weeks vary between office-based deep work and external representation. Because ISCC serves as a bridge between regulators and the market, your calendar will often mix technical analysis, stakeholder communication, and document production. You will not be managing a large team, but you will coordinate across functions and time zones, making each day a blend of independent expertise and collaborative problem-solving.

ISCC explicitly states that it promotes from within, which suggests genuine pathways for advancement. As you master the biomass fuels portfolio, you could take on broader scheme management responsibilities, perhaps covering other renewable fuel categories or leading a team of sustainability managers. The role also provides visibility with senior stakeholders and regulators, which can accelerate your reputation in the field. Skill growth is built into the job. You will deepen your expertise in certification standards, EU energy policy, and GHG accounting. You may have the chance to lead technical working groups or represent ISCC at high-level events, honing leadership and diplomatic skills. The sister company network, including Meo Carbon Solutions and GRAS, offers opportunities for cross-company projects and exposure to risk assessment and auditing methodologies. Longer term, this position could serve as a springboard to roles such as Head of Certification, Policy Advisor, or Sustainability Director in the bioenergy or certification sectors. The combination of regulatory knowledge, technical depth, and stakeholder management is a strong foundation for leadership in sustainability governance.

Internally, you will work closely with the ISCC EU team, which includes certification experts, auditors, and scheme managers. You will also collaborate with colleagues from ISCC's sister companies such as Meo Carbon Solutions and GRAS, especially on risk assessments and integrity-related topics. Your manager and team will rely on your expertise to interpret legislation and develop system documents. Externally, the role involves frequent interaction with certification bodies, auditors, and certified companies. You will engage with regulators, competent authorities, and policymakers to support consistent interpretation of ISCC requirements. This might involve meetings, written correspondence, or participation in official consultations. You will also interact with industry associations, NGOs, and research institutions through technical working groups and stakeholder events. The nature of these interactions varies. With regulators, the tone is formal and precise, aiming for recognition and alignment. With auditors, it is practical and problem-solving, clarifying how to apply criteria in the field. With industry, it is often educational and consultative, explaining requirements and gathering feedback. Balancing these different audiences requires strong communication skills and diplomatic tact.