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Sustainability Manager

Kronospan • Latvia • Added on Jul 13, 2026
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As the Sustainability Manager in Riga, you will take full ownership of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) roadmap for a major manufacturing site. This role bridges local operational reality with global corporate strategy, requiring you to translate complex sustainability requirements into actionable policies. You will manage the end-to-end reporting process while ensuring all documentation remains audit-ready and compliant with evolving industry standards.

Working within the wood-based panel industry provides a unique opportunity to influence one of the world’s most critical circular value chains. Your work directly impacts how timber resources are utilized and reported, turning technical ESG data into a competitive advantage for the sales team and a point of pride for the local workforce. By fostering a culture of transparency, you help define the environmental footprint of essential building materials.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind for reporting and the interpersonal skills to influence cross-functional teams. You should be equally comfortable navigating ISO certification audits as you are presenting sustainability milestones to diverse internal stakeholders.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to steer the local ESG strategy in alignment with global corporate objectives. This involves the rigorous tracking and documentation of sustainability metrics to satisfy both regulatory requirements and customer inquiries. You will be the point person for all sustainability-related policies, ensuring they are integrated into daily operations. Beyond data management, you will actively support the commercial arm of the business. By providing accurate sustainability information and responses to external stakeholders, you help translate the company's green initiatives into market value and customer trust.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the circular economy within the manufacturing sector, specifically regarding forest products. There is a significant opportunity to master international standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, which are vital for operational sustainability and safety. Exposure to the global sustainability team will provide insights into harmonizing local industrial practices with international ESG frameworks. You will also refine your skills in competitive analysis and stakeholder communication, learning how to position sustainability as a core business driver.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Environmental Science or Business and brings previous ESG experience, ideally from a heavy industry or manufacturing background. Since the role involves significant documentation and compliance work, a high level of precision and rigor in reporting is non-negotiable. Fluency in both English and Latvian is essential for navigating local site operations and global reporting lines. Someone who can work independently while bridging the gap between various departments like Sales, Production, and HR will find success here.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your familiarity with the specific challenges of the timber and construction industry. Provide concrete examples of where you have improved reporting accuracy or successfully achieved an ISO certification in a previous role. Your application should emphasize your ability to act as a translator of ESG data. Show how you have previously turned complex sustainability metrics into compelling narratives for sales teams or clear instructions for factory-floor employees.

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

The role focus is heavily weighted toward reporting and compliance. Given the company's industry, you will likely spend significant time on resource efficiency, raw material traceability, and the management of manufacturing externalities such as energy use and safety. Social governance is also a key pillar, with a focus on employee engagement and safety protocols. You will likely work on projects that communicate the carbon sequestration benefits of wood products compared to carbon-intensive alternatives.

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

One of the chief challenges will be data collection in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Ensuring that every department provides timely and accurate ESG inputs requires persistence and strong relationship-building skills. Additionally, keeping up with the rapidly changing regulatory landscape of ESG in Europe can be demanding. You will need to filter these global requirements into what is relevant and achievable for the Riga site specifically.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing compliance reports or site-level emissions data. Mid-morning could involve a meeting with the sales team to help draft a response for a major client's sustainability questionnaire. You might spend the afternoon on the production floor or in meetings with department heads to roll out a new sustainability policy. The day likely concludes with coordination calls with the global sustainability team to align on international benchmarks.

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

There is a clear path for professional development as you become the local authority on ESG within a global market leader. Success in this role could lead to more senior regional management positions within the Kronospan network. You will also have the chance to lead high-visibility projects that impact the company's competitive positioning, offering significant exposure to executive leadership both locally and internationally.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Global Sustainability Team to ensure local alignment with the broader corporate vision. Locally, you will collaborate closely with Site Management and the HR team to drive employee-facing initiatives. External stakeholders include customers and auditors, who will rely on your data for supply chain transparency. You will also support the Sales teams by providing the technical evidence needed to back up sustainability claims.

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