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Sustainability Lead

Koopman International B.V. • Netherlands • Added on Sep 14, 2026
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As the Sustainability Lead at Koopman International, you will serve as the central figure translating high-level environmental goals into tangible operational changes across a massive global trading network. This is a hands-on role where you bridge the gap between executive strategy and the daily realities of procurement, quality control, and product development. You will be responsible for navigating evolving regulations while ensuring that sustainability becomes a core, pragmatic component of the company’s commercial success.

This position is significant because it operates at the intersection of high-volume wholesale trade and environmental responsibility. By influencing the sourcing and design of over 30,000 non-food consumer goods, you have a direct lever on the environmental footprint of global supply chains. It is a rare opportunity to build a sustainability framework from the ground up in a family-owned business that values practical, fast-paced action over theoretical reporting.

This suits someone who possesses a strong commercial mindset and thrives in entrepreneurial environments where they can build systems rather than just maintaining them.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to act as the central point of contact for sustainability, transforming abstract corporate ambitions into practical, commercially viable actions. You will be responsible for advising the board of directors while simultaneously working on the ground with purchasing and product teams to improve the assortment. Key responsibilities include monitoring and implementing changing environmental legislation to ensure compliance across a massive variety of goods. You will develop practical guidelines that help the organization move toward a more sustainable operating model without losing its competitive edge in the wholesale market.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the complexities of global sourcing and how sustainability metrics apply to thousands of diverse product categories, from toys to household tools. This role offers a front-row seat to the practical application of EU environmental regulations in a high-volume trading environment. Furthermore, you will sharpen your change management skills by building a sustainability function in a traditional family business. This involves learning how to create buy-in across different international offices and aligning environmental goals with diverse commercial interests.

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

The ideal candidate brings between 3 to 5 years of experience in sustainability, compliance, or supply chain management. A pragmatic, result-oriented mindset is essential, as the company culture favors action and direct impact over long-form academic reporting. Fluency in both Dutch and English is required to navigate the local headquarters and international showrooms. You should possess the ability to translate complex regulations into simple, actionable advice for colleagues who may not have a background in ESG, requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your commercial acumen. Koopman is a trading company first; show them you understand how sustainability can drive value or mitigate risk in a low-margin, high-volume industry rather than just focusing on ethics. Highlight any experience you have with product-level sustainability or supply chain compliance. Since this is a role where you have 'room to build,' provide specific examples of where you have successfully implemented a new process or strategy from scratch in a previous professional setting.

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

The role will likely focus heavily on product life cycle and sourcing ethics, given the company's vast assortment of consumer goods. This includes ensuring products meet strict EU environmental standards and exploring more sustainable materials or packaging. Another major focus will be supply chain transparency. With a distribution center of 125,000 m² and sourcing partners worldwide, managing the environmental and social risks inherent in a global import/export model will be a top priority for this position.

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

One of the main challenges will be the sheer scale and variety of the product range. Implementing consistent sustainability standards across 30,000 different articles—each with unique supply chains—requires immense organizational skills and prioritization. Additionally, you may face the challenge of cultural transformation. Moving a traditional, fast-moving trading firm toward long-term ESG goals requires patience and the ability to prove the commercial 'win' for every sustainability initiative you propose.

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

A typical day might begin with a meeting with the purchasing department to review the sustainability criteria for a new product line. You might then spend the afternoon analyzing upcoming EU regulations to determine how they impact the current stock in the Emmeloord distribution center. You will likely spend time liaising with the in-house laboratory and product safety teams to ensure that sustainability claims are backed by rigorous testing. The day often concludes with strategic planning or preparing an advisory brief for the board of directors regarding long-term ESG targets.

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

As the first or primary Lead in this space at Koopman, you have the opportunity to define the sustainability department's future. As the function matures, there is potential to scale the team and take on broader leadership responsibilities within the international group. Success in this role establishes you as a specialist in sustainable trade, a highly sought-after profile in the retail and wholesale sectors. You will be at the forefront of a major corporate transition, providing high visibility within the executive leadership team.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with the Board of Directors to align sustainability goals with the company's broader business strategy. Internally, your closest collaborators will be the Purchasing and Product Development teams, who are responsible for selecting the goods Koopman sells. Externally, you may engage with suppliers across the globe and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance. You will also work closely with the quality and safety department, utilizing their in-house laboratory to verify the environmental credentials of various products.

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