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Sustainability Manager

Kronospan • Latvia • Added on Sep 16, 2026
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As the local lead for sustainability in Riga, you will translate global ESG ambitions into tangible actions within a major manufacturing environment. Your daily focus involves building the governance framework for environmental and social metrics, ensuring that every operational shift aligns with evolving international reporting standards. By bridging the gap between high-level strategy and shop-floor reality, you maintain the integrity of the company’s sustainability data and compliance documentation.

This role is pivotal because the wood-based panel industry sits at the heart of the circular economy and carbon sequestration. You will be responsible for proving how industrial manufacturing can coexist with ecological stewardship, turning complex data into a narrative that resonates with customers and global partners. It is a chance to influence the footprint of building materials used worldwide.

This suits someone who is a rigorous technical communicator with a background in manufacturing or environmental science. You should be equally comfortable navigating ISO standards and inspiring cross-functional teams to embrace new ESG reporting habits.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves developing and implementing ESG strategies specifically tailored to the wood-processing sector. You will act as the local architect for sustainability policies while ensuring they harmonize with the group's global vision. This requires a balanced approach between strategic planning and hands-on compliance management. Monitoring and ESG reporting form the backbone of the role. You will be responsible for the accuracy of all sustainability documentation, ensuring that the company meets both internal benchmarks and external regulatory requirements. This includes maintaining rigorous records for audits and corporate disclosures. Beyond data, you are tasked with fostering employee engagement and supporting commercial teams. You will serve as the internal expert who translates complex ESG data into clear communications for sales departments and external stakeholders, helping to articulate the company's environmental value proposition.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Working at a global leader in wood-based panels offers deep exposure to the circular economy and large-scale industrial sustainability. You will likely gain specialized knowledge in life-cycle assessments and the specific environmental regulations governing the forest products industry. There is a significant opportunity to master ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards within a high-output manufacturing context. Integrating these management systems with modern ESG reporting frameworks will sharpen your technical compliance skills and operational oversight capabilities. Furthermore, collaborating with a global sustainability team across 28 countries provides a unique perspective on international ESG trends. You will learn how to adapt global corporate strategies to local legislative environments, a highly transferable skill in the current regulatory landscape.

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

The ideal candidate brings a solid academic foundation in Environmental Science or Business Administration, paired with practical experience in a manufacturing setting. Experience in the wood-processing or heavy industry sector is highly valued due to the specific operational challenges involved. Fluency in both English and Latvian is essential for success in this role. You must be able to communicate complex technical requirements to local teams while reporting accurately to the global headquarters. Strong writing skills and attention to detail are non-negotiable for handling ESG documentation. Soft skills are equally important, as this role requires the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority. A proactive mindset and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced industrial environment will distinguish the most successful applicants.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a strong grasp of industrial ESG reporting. Rather than just listing general CSR interests, highlight specific instances where you managed compliance documentation or improved data accuracy in a manufacturing or supply chain context. Given Kronospan's focus on operational excellence, prepare to discuss how you would integrate sustainability into safety and production. Research their current product lines and come ready with ideas on how to communicate their environmental benefits to a global customer base. Finally, emphasize your bilingual capability and your comfort level with ISO standards. Showing that you understand the technical nuances of the Latvian regulatory environment while being able to operate within a global corporate structure will make your profile very attractive.

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

The role will likely focus heavily on carbon sequestration and sustainable forestry metrics, given the nature of the wood-panel industry. You will spend significant time documenting how raw materials are sourced and processed to minimize environmental impact. Resource efficiency and waste reduction are also core pillars. You will probably work on projects that track how wood by-products are repurposed or how energy consumption at the Riga site can be optimized to meet global decarbonization targets. From a social and governance perspective, the focus will be on operational safety and transparency. Ensuring that the site remains compliant with international health and safety standards while providing transparent ESG data to stakeholders is a critical component of the company's license to operate.

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

One of the main challenges could be bridging the gap between global corporate ESG mandates and the practical realities of a large-scale manufacturing plant. Balancing production targets with strict environmental compliance requires high levels of diplomacy and persistence. Keeping up with the rapidly changing regulatory landscape in the EU regarding sustainability disclosures will be a constant demand. You will need to stay ahead of new reporting directives to ensure the Riga facility remains compliant and competitive. Additionally, shifting the internal culture toward a more sustainability-centric mindset can be difficult in traditional industrial environments. You may face resistance when introducing new documentation requirements or operational changes meant to improve ESG performance.

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

A typical day might start with a coordination meeting with the global sustainability team to align on upcoming reporting deadlines or new policy rollouts. This is often followed by a walkthrough of the production site to monitor EHS compliance or gather data for environmental audits. Your afternoon could be spent analyzing performance metrics and drafting ESG reports. You might also dedicate time to supporting the sales team by answering technical sustainability queries from major international clients who require detailed product information. Throughout the day, you will likely engage in internal advocacy, perhaps conducting a brief training session for department heads on new ESG procedures or discussing waste management improvements with the operations manager to ensure local activities meet global standards.

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

Growth in this role often comes through increased regional responsibility. Successful performance in Latvia could lead to a broader role overseeing sustainability across multiple Baltic or European sites within the Kronospan network. There is also the potential to become a subject matter expert in specific areas like carbon accounting or sustainable supply chain management. As the company continues to innovate in wood-based products, you could lead high-visibility projects related to new eco-friendly product lines. Because the role interacts with the global ESG team, you have the chance to contribute to group-level strategy. This exposure to high-level decision-making provides a clear pathway toward more senior corporate sustainability leadership positions.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Global Sustainability Team, who provide the strategic framework, and the local Riga management team, who are responsible for operational implementation. You will work closely with plant managers to ensure ESG goals are met. You will also frequently interact with the Sales and Marketing departments. Your role is to provide them with the data and narratives they need to satisfy customer demands for sustainable products and transparent supply chains. Externally, you will communicate with regulatory bodies and auditors to ensure compliance with Latvian and EU laws. You may also engage with local community representatives or industry associations to represent Kronospan's sustainability interests and maintain their corporate reputation.

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