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Sustainability Manager

Kronospan • Latvia • Added on May 10, 2026
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You’d be the sustainability lead for Kronospan’s operations in Latvia — responsible for ESG reporting, internal policy frameworks, competitive benchmarking, and acting as the green-credentials adviser to the commercial team when customers ask sustainability questions before signing contracts.

The scale matters: Kronospan runs 40+ production sites worldwide and is navigating CSRD and EU Taxonomy obligations across a complex, vertically integrated wood manufacturing supply chain. Your work feeds directly into group-level reporting and shapes how one of the world’s biggest wood panel producers documents its environmental progress.

This suits someone with a solid grounding in environmental management or sustainability reporting, fluent in both English and Latvian, who wants to grow alongside a major industrial group rather than in a consultancy setting.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission of the Sustainability Manager at Kronospan is to bridge the gap between global ESG strategy and local operational reality. You will be responsible for developing and implementing industry-specific policies that align with the company's position as a global leader in wood-based panels while ensuring rigorous compliance and reporting. Key responsibilities include ESG reporting and documentation, maintaining policy frameworks, and performing competitive analysis to keep the company ahead of industry trends. You will also play a crucial role in internal advocacy, educating the workforce on sustainable practices and providing technical support to the sales department to meet increasing customer demands for green credentials.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to gain deep expertise in vertically integrated wood manufacturing supply chains and the circular economy. Given Kronospan's scale, the candidate will likely master large-scale ESG data management and learn how to align local manufacturing outputs with international sustainability standards like the EU Taxonomy or CSRD. Furthermore, the candidate will develop a strong profile in integrated management systems, potentially working with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 frameworks. Exposure to the global sustainability team provides a unique window into how multi-national strategies are cascaded across 40+ production sites worldwide.

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

The ideal candidate is a highly organized professional with a background in Environmental Science or Business Administration and a proven track record in manufacturing-based ESG or CSR. Fluency in both English and Latvian is non-negotiable, as the role acts as a linguistic and technical bridge between local operations and global headquarters. Technical prowess in reporting rigor and documentation is vital, alongside a functional understanding of wood-based industry environmental impacts. Soft skills are equally critical; the candidate should be a persuasive communicator capable of inspiring employees and supporting sales teams with complex technical sustainability data.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability concepts and focus on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon sequestering in wood products. Demonstrating an understanding of how timber-framed construction and wood panels contribute to the decarbonization of the building sector will show deep alignment with Kronospan’s core business value proposition. In your application, highlight specific experience with supply chain traceability (such as FSC/PEFC certifications) as this is often a critical pain point in woodworking. Since the role supports Sales, showcasing an ability to translate complex carbon data into customer-facing value propositions will make you a highly attractive candidate compared to purely technical profiles.

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

This role is likely to center on resource efficiency and the circular economy, specifically focusing on wood waste management and renewable energy integration in production. Given Kronospan's focus on construction material, the role might also prioritize Product Environmental Footprints (PEF) and certifications that validate low-emission manufacturing. Another significant focus area will be operational safety and social compliance, as reflected by the interest in ISO 45001. Ensuring that the social 'S' in ESG is as robust as the 'E' in a manufacturing environment with thousands of employees will be a key strategic pillar for the local manager.

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

A major challenge could be the cultural transformation required to foster employee engagement across a large industrial workforce. Moving a manufacturing site from traditional operations to a proactive sustainability mindset often involves overcoming inertia and prioritizing long-term ESG goals against short-term production targets. Additionally, the candidate might face data collection complexities across a vast supply chain. Gathering precise metrics for Scope 3 emissions in the forestry and distribution sectors requires significant persistence and technical coordination with various departments that may not yet have automated sustainability tracking.

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

A typical morning might begin with reviewing energy consumption data or waste management reports from the production floor to ensure alignment with local environmental permits. This could be followed by a coordination call with the Global Sustainability Team to synchronize reporting formats or discuss new regulatory changes coming from the EU. In the afternoon, the manager might transition to internal training sessions for warehouse or production staff, followed by a meeting with the Sales Director to draft tailored responses for B2B tender requests regarding the carbon footprint of specific flooring or panel lines.

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

Growth in this role is likely pan-European or global in scale. For a successful manager in Latvia, there is a clear path toward regional sustainability leadership within Kronospan’s network of 40+ production sites. The role provides high visibility to senior management, making it an excellent platform for lateral moves into operations management or strategic supply chain roles. As ESG regulations become more stringent, the candidate will become an indispensable compliance expert, potentially leading to 'Head of ESG' positions as the company expands its corporate sustainability department.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internally, you will interact closely with Plant Managers and EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) Officers to ensure operational compliance. You will also be a key partner for the Sales and Marketing teams, providing them with the certifications and data needed to win construction and furniture contracts. Externally, you will engage with regulatory bodies and auditors for ISO standards and ESG reporting verification. You might also interact with major construction clients or furniture retailers who require transparency regarding the life-cycle impact and origin of the wood products they purchase.

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