Teamleiter Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement

The core mission is to lead and further develop Kräuter Mix's sustainability management, with both strategic direction and operational execution. This includes the disciplinary and technical leadership of a small team, ensuring that regulatory requirements such as CSRD, ESRS and supply chain due diligence are continuously implemented and that the annual sustainability report is produced and improved each year. Day-to-day responsibilities cover supplier self-assessment management, reviewing responses, conducting periodic evaluations and adapting processes to new internal and external guidelines. The role also coordinates customer questionnaires and works closely with procurement and quality management on supplier qualification and development. A significant part of the job is planning, conducting and accompanying internal and external audits, including sustainability audits of suppliers and those carried out by customers or official bodies. Additionally, the role involves managing projects and certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, EMAS, Fair for Life or Fairtrade, and communicating sustainability data and topics across all relevant interfaces.

This role offers deep exposure to European sustainability regulation, particularly CSRD, ESRS and supply chain due diligence. By leading the annual report and coordinating audits, the candidate can develop advanced skills in non-financial reporting, double materiality analysis, risk assessment and greenhouse gas accounting across Scope 1, 2 and 3. The position also provides hands-on experience with certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance, EMAS, Fair for Life and Fairtrade. Managing these initiatives from planning to audit preparation builds practical knowledge of international standards and their application in a global supply chain. Additionally, the leadership component allows the candidate to grow in team management and cross-functional collaboration. Working directly with management and customer sustainability departments offers visibility and the chance to learn how sustainability strategy is shaped at a senior level. International travel for supplier visits and conferences adds further learning opportunities.

The ideal candidate holds a degree in sustainability management, food technology, agricultural sciences or a comparable field, and has several years of professional experience in sustainability management, ideally in an international context. A business-oriented mindset, possibly supported by additional qualifications in economics or management, is important. Technical expertise should include solid knowledge of CSRD and ESRS, experience with sustainability reporting, double materiality analysis, risk analysis and greenhouse gas accounting for Scope 1 to 3. The candidate should also be familiar with conducting and accompanying internal and external audits, ideally with auditor training or relevant certifications. On the personal side, the role requires leadership experience and enjoyment in developing a small team. Strong planning, organisational and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work independently and build consensus across departments. Negotiation-level English and willingness to travel nationally and internationally complete the profile.

To stand out, tailor your application to show direct experience with CSRD, ESRS and supply chain due diligence. Provide concrete examples of sustainability reports you have produced, audits you have led or supported, and certifications you have managed. Highlight any auditor training or certifications, as these are explicitly valued. Demonstrate business acumen by explaining how you have balanced regulatory requirements with commercial goals in previous roles. Kräuter Mix seeks someone who sees sustainability as value-adding, so quantify achievements where possible, such as improved supplier compliance rates or successful audit outcomes. Also emphasise leadership experience and your ability to work across departments. Since Kräuter Mix is family-owned and values reliability, tailor your cover letter to reflect an understanding of its B2B food ingredients context and its

The role centres on regulatory compliance and supply chain transparency. The main focus is likely on implementing CSRD and ESRS requirements, maintaining the annual sustainability report and managing supplier due diligence, including self-assessments and audits. These tasks are essential for a company that sources raw materials globally and must meet the sustainability expectations of customers like Unilever, Nestlé or Mondelez. A second major area is certification management, where initiatives such as Rainforest Alliance, EMAS, Fair for Life or Fairtrade are planned, implemented and maintained. This involves close coordination with procurement and quality management, as well as preparing for customer and official audits. Because Kräuter Mix is family-owned and values ecological and social aspects of sustainability, the role also carries a cultural dimension: embedding sustainability into decision-making processes and communicating its value across the company, rather than treating it as a purely administrative obligation.

One likely challenge is balancing regulatory demands with business realities. CSRD and supply chain due diligence obligations are complex and evolving, and the role must translate them into workable processes without overwhelming the organisation. This requires a pragmatic approach and strong prioritisation. Another challenge is the breadth of the role. It spans team leadership, reporting, audits, supplier management and cross-departmental coordination, often with limited resources in a mid-sized company. Keeping many moving parts aligned and meeting deadlines for the annual report or customer requests could be demanding. Finally, effecting change in a family-owned company with established routines requires sensitivity and persistence. Building consensus across departments and embedding sustainability into decision-making processes may take time and strong communication skills.

A typical day likely starts with a short check-in with the small sustainability team, where priorities around reporting deadlines, supplier questionnaires or upcoming audits are set. Much of the morning could involve reviewing supplier self-assessments, preparing data for the annual sustainability report or aligning with the purchasing and quality departments on supplier qualification. Afternoons might be filled with meetings with customer sustainability departments, preparing or following up on internal and external audits, or working on certifications such as Rainforest Alliance or EMAS. Because the role bridges many departments, you would regularly move between your own team, procurement, quality management and senior leadership. Travel days for supplier visits, audits or conferences will change the rhythm considerably, replacing office routines with on-site assessments and direct conversations with partners abroad.

Given the strategic importance of sustainability at Kräuter Mix and the direct reporting line to management, this role offers significant visibility. Success could lead to expanded responsibilities, such as shaping the company's long-term sustainability strategy or taking on broader corporate responsibility topics. The position also builds a strong foundation for career advancement in sustainability leadership. Experience with CSRD, audits and certifications is highly transferable, opening doors to senior sustainability roles in larger companies or specialised consulting. Within Kräuter Mix, the role could evolve as the company's sustainability agenda grows. Additionally, the candidate can develop expertise in specific areas like sustainable supply chains, climate accounting or social certification, and may have opportunities to represent the company externally at conferences or industry events.

The most immediate stakeholders are the sustainability team members, who report to this role both technically and disciplinarily. The position also has a direct line to the management board, reflecting the strategic importance of sustainability at Kräuter Mix. Close collaboration with procurement and quality management is essential, especially for supplier qualification, audits and due diligence processes. Externally, the role interacts regularly with suppliers during audits and qualification visits, as well as with customers' sustainability departments, who request information and conduct their own audits. Certification bodies and official inspection authorities are also key contacts when preparing and accompanying external audits. Finally, internal interfaces across the company, such as production, legal or communications, will need to be coordinated to gather sustainability-relevant data and ensure consistent messaging.