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Procurement Risk & Sustainability Manager

KWS Group • Germany • Added on Aug 21, 2026
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This role centers on managing the delicate balance between supply chain resilience and ethical accountability within a global procurement framework. You will take ownership of the source-to-pay sustainability structure, overseeing supplier due diligence and ESG assessments to ensure every partner meets rigorous standards. By maintaining risk dashboards and refining supplier standards, you ensure the organization remains compliant with evolving international regulations.

Working within the agricultural sector means this role directly influences the environmental and social footprint of global food systems. At KWS, your work ensures that the seeds of the future are sourced with integrity, helping the company navigate the complexities of the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) and the CSDDD. It is a critical mission to safeguard both the company’s reputation and its long-term operational viability through responsible sourcing.

This suits someone who possesses a deep understanding of ESG frameworks and procurement risk, combined with the analytical rigor to translate complex data into actionable business strategies in a global corporate setting.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves the strategic development and implementation of a global Source-to-Pay sustainability framework. This includes managing high-level supplier due diligence processes and ESG assessments to ensure the supply chain remains resilient and ethically sound. You will be responsible for the continuous monitoring of supplier risks, utilizing data analysis to maintain risk dashboards and heatmaps. Furthermore, you will ensure full alignment with international legal requirements such as the LkSG and the upcoming CSDDD, while also designing training programs to foster a culture of sustainability across the procurement organization.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers a deep dive into the practical application of European supply chain regulations within a specialized agricultural context. You will gain expert-level knowledge of how to integrate ESG metrics into SAP and SRM systems at a global scale. Additionally, the role provides significant exposure to change management and cross-functional project leadership. You will learn to navigate the complexities of a family-owned but globally listed entity, balancing traditional values with modern, data-driven sustainability reporting and risk mitigation techniques.

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

The ideal candidate brings several years of professional experience in supply chain, procurement, or ESG compliance. A background in business engineering, law, or supply chain management is highly preferred to handle the analytical and regulatory demands of the role. Technical proficiency in SAP and data analysis tools is essential, alongside a mastery of international due diligence frameworks. Soft skills are equally important; you must be a diplomat who can communicate complex risk findings to diverse stakeholders and influence decision-making at a senior management level.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to operationalize regulatory requirements like the LkSG into tangible procurement workflows. Highlighting specific instances where you successfully managed supplier audits or integrated ESG criteria into purchasing decisions will be highly beneficial. Given the 14-month maternity cover nature of the role, demonstrate your agility and ability to hit the ground running. Show that you understand the unique challenges of the farming and biotech industry, specifically regarding the social and environmental risks inherent in global seed production.

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

The role is heavily focused on Supply Chain Due Diligence and the social/environmental governance of third-party partners. This includes auditing labor practices, environmental standards, and ethical business conduct across a diverse global supplier base. You will likely contribute to the company’s broader decarbonization efforts by addressing Scope 3 emissions through more sustainable procurement choices. Ensuring that KWS maintains its commitment to independent, responsible plant breeding through a clean and transparent supply chain is the core objective.

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

One of the primary hurdles will be the harmonization of global standards across different regions where local practices may conflict with stringent EU ESG requirements. Managing the transition to new digital risk tools while maintaining operational speed is a significant technical challenge. Additionally, as this is a maternity cover position, the challenge lies in maintaining the momentum of existing projects and ensuring a seamless continuity of the sustainability framework within a relatively short timeframe of 14 months.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing supplier risk data and updating ESG dashboards to reflect recent audit results. You will likely spend a significant portion of your time in virtual meetings with regional procurement leads to discuss the implementation of new due diligence protocols. Afternoons could be dedicated to collaborating with the Legal and Compliance departments to interpret new regulatory updates or developing training materials for internal buyers. The day often concludes with strategic reporting, where you translate raw risk data into insights for senior management briefings.

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

Despite being a fixed-term contract, this role offers high visibility within a leading global biotech firm, providing a platform to prove your expertise in a critical corporate function. Success in this role can lead to permanent opportunities within the global sustainability or procurement teams. The experience gained here in high-level ESG project management and regulatory compliance is highly transferable and in high demand, making this a significant career accelerator for any sustainability professional looking to specialize in procurement.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will operate at the intersection of several departments, interacting frequently with Global Procurement teams, Legal, and Corporate Compliance. These relationships are vital for ensuring that sustainability goals are legally sound and operationally feasible. External stakeholders include third-party suppliers and ESG auditors, with whom you will negotiate standards and monitor performance. Internally, you will also act as a consultant to IT for system integrations and to the Sustainability/HSE teams to align procurement with broader corporate impact targets.

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