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

The primary mission is to refine and execute the European ESG strategy , ensuring all programs align with the company’s mid-term planning. You will be responsible for the full reporting cycle, including the collection of data for GRI, CDP, and UNGC Communication on Progress, ensuring that every claim is backed by robust documentation. On the operational side, you will manage management system documentation related to ethics, human rights, and energy certifications like ISO 50001. You are also the point person for external assessments, coordinating Ecovadis submissions and preparing for Together for Sustainability (TfS) audits, which are vital for maintaining customer trust in the chemical industry.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers deep immersion into the Net Zero 2050 roadmap , providing practical experience in decarbonizing industrial manufacturing processes. You will master the nuances of double materiality and life cycle assessments (LCA), which are becoming standard requirements for European chemical compliance. Furthermore, the position provides exposure to international certification schemes like ISCC Plus. Given the global nature of KLK, you will gain unique insights into how European regulations like the CSRD interface with global supply chains and palm-based oleochemical production.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least 3 to 5 years of experience specifically in ESG or compliance within an industrial or chemical context. A university degree in a relevant field like environmental science or business is required to handle the analytical rigors of the role. Language proficiency is a key differentiator; you must be fluent in English and Dutch , as you will be operating within a cross-border European team. A proactive, structured working style with a high degree of attention to detail is necessary for managing complex reporting databases and stakeholder inquiries.

Q: Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your experience with specific reporting frameworks such as GRI or CDP. KLK is looking for someone who can move beyond theory into actual implementation, so highlight instances where you successfully managed a supply chain audit or built a materiality matrix from scratch. Since the role involves travel between sites, demonstrating cultural adaptability and previous experience working in an international business environment will be highly valued. Align your application with their core values of honesty and loyalty, showing how your ESG expertise will contribute to long-term business resilience.

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

The focus is heavily weighted toward supply chain transparency and decarbonization . Managing the sustainability profile of oleochemicals involves verifying the origin of raw materials and ensuring that manufacturing units in Europe and Asia meet strict social and environmental standards. There is also a significant emphasis on governance and ethics , specifically setting up management systems for anti-corruption and human rights. This ensures the company meets the growing demands of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

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

One of the primary challenges will be the harmonization of ESG data from different sites and production units across Europe. Ensuring consistency and quality in reporting for disparate management systems requires significant organizational effort and persistence. You may also face the challenge of keeping pace with evolving regulations in the ESG space. Staying ahead of normative developments such as the EU Taxonomy or CSRD requirements while simultaneously managing daily operational tasks is a demanding balancing act.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing ESG data submissions for a CDP report, followed by a meeting with the Regulatory Affairs team to draft responses for a major customer's sustainability questionnaire. You might spend the afternoon developing a new training module on human rights policies for the wider employee base. In between, you could be coordinating with site managers in Emmerich or other European locations to prepare for an upcoming Ecovadis or TfS audit. The day is likely to involve a mix of high-level strategic planning and very detailed documentation work.

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

Growth in this role is driven by the rapidly expanding ESG department within the company. As the Net Zero strategy matures, there may be opportunities to lead specialized workstreams in carbon accounting or supply chain sustainability. The global footprint of KLK OLEO provides a path for moving into higher-level regional or global leadership positions. You will build a rare profile as an ESG expert who understands the technical complexities of both the chemical industry and European sustainability legislation.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact closely with Internal Stakeholders , including the Regulatory Affairs department, site managers, and the executive leadership team, providing them with ESG updates and training. You are the key link between the Malaysian parent company’s global goals and European operations. Externally, your main stakeholders are customers and auditors . You will be the face of the company for sustainability inquiries and will collaborate with industry bodies and certification organizations to maintain KLK's leadership in the oleochemical market.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission is to refine and execute the European ESG strategy, ensuring all programs align with the company’s mid-term planning. You will be responsible for the full reporting cycle, including the collection of data for GRI, CDP, and UNGC Communication on Progress, ensuring that every claim is backed by robust documentation. On the operational side, you will manage management system documentation related to ethics, human rights, and energy certifications like ISO 50001. You are also the point person for external assessments, coordinating Ecovadis submissions and preparing for Together for Sustainability (TfS) audits, which are vital for maintaining customer trust in the chemical industry.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

This role offers deep immersion into the Net Zero 2050 roadmap, providing practical experience in decarbonizing industrial manufacturing processes. You will master the nuances of double materiality and life cycle assessments (LCA), which are becoming standard requirements for European chemical compliance. Furthermore, the position provides exposure to international certification schemes like ISCC Plus. Given the global nature of KLK, you will gain unique insights into how European regulations like the CSRD interface with global supply chains and palm-based oleochemical production.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings at least 3 to 5 years of experience specifically in ESG or compliance within an industrial or chemical context. A university degree in a relevant field like environmental science or business is required to handle the analytical rigors of the role. Language proficiency is a key differentiator; you must be fluent in English and Dutch, as you will be operating within a cross-border European team. A proactive, structured working style with a high degree of attention to detail is necessary for managing complex reporting databases and stakeholder inquiries.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, emphasize your experience with specific reporting frameworks such as GRI or CDP. KLK is looking for someone who can move beyond theory into actual implementation, so highlight instances where you successfully managed a supply chain audit or built a materiality matrix from scratch. Since the role involves travel between sites, demonstrating cultural adaptability and previous experience working in an international business environment will be highly valued. Align your application with their core values of honesty and loyalty, showing how your ESG expertise will contribute to long-term business resilience.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The focus is heavily weighted toward supply chain transparency and decarbonization. Managing the sustainability profile of oleochemicals involves verifying the origin of raw materials and ensuring that manufacturing units in Europe and Asia meet strict social and environmental standards. There is also a significant emphasis on governance and ethics, specifically setting up management systems for anti-corruption and human rights. This ensures the company meets the growing demands of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges will be the harmonization of ESG data from different sites and production units across Europe. Ensuring consistency and quality in reporting for disparate management systems requires significant organizational effort and persistence. You may also face the challenge of keeping pace with evolving regulations in the ESG space. Staying ahead of normative developments such as the EU Taxonomy or CSRD requirements while simultaneously managing daily operational tasks is a demanding balancing act.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with reviewing ESG data submissions for a CDP report, followed by a meeting with the Regulatory Affairs team to draft responses for a major customer's sustainability questionnaire. You might spend the afternoon developing a new training module on human rights policies for the wider employee base. In between, you could be coordinating with site managers in Emmerich or other European locations to prepare for an upcoming Ecovadis or TfS audit. The day is likely to involve a mix of high-level strategic planning and very detailed documentation work.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Growth in this role is driven by the rapidly expanding ESG department within the company. As the Net Zero strategy matures, there may be opportunities to lead specialized workstreams in carbon accounting or supply chain sustainability. The global footprint of KLK OLEO provides a path for moving into higher-level regional or global leadership positions. You will build a rare profile as an ESG expert who understands the technical complexities of both the chemical industry and European sustainability legislation.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will interact closely with Internal Stakeholders, including the Regulatory Affairs department, site managers, and the executive leadership team, providing them with ESG updates and training. You are the key link between the Malaysian parent company’s global goals and European operations. Externally, your main stakeholders are customers and auditors. You will be the face of the company for sustainability inquiries and will collaborate with industry bodies and certification organizations to maintain KLK's leadership in the oleochemical market.

ESG Expert

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