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Chef de Projets CSR

Novacel • France • Added on Sep 9, 2026
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As the central figure for CSR project management, you will drive the operational deployment of Novacel’s environmental roadmap across its global entities. Your daily life involves orchestrating diverse workstreams from carbon accounting automation to the management of product end-of-life cycles. By bridging the gap between high-level strategy and technical execution, you ensure that sustainability goals are translated into measurable industrial actions.

This role is pivotal because it addresses the core environmental impact of surface protection technology. You will directly influence the decarbonization of the supply chain and the transition toward bio-sourced materials, moving the needle for a global leader in the B2B industrial sector. It is a rare chance to implement circular economy principles within a complex, multinational manufacturing environment where material science meets rigorous climate strategy.

This suits someone who possesses a strong technical background in chemistry or engineering and thrives when navigating cross-functional stakeholder environments to deliver concrete, data-driven sustainability improvements.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves orchestrating the global CSR performance of the group across six production sites. You will be responsible for automating environmental calculations for certifications and evaluating the sustainability performance of bio-sourced and recycled materials. Your role is deeply operational, involving the management of waste streams and the development of post-use recycling partnerships for the company's product lines. Furthermore, you will lead the climate and carbon strategy, which includes calculating product footprints and aligning local actions with the overarching goals set by the shareholder, KPS. This extends to regulatory compliance, where you will monitor evolving standards in chemicals, plastics, and packaging to ensure the company remains ahead of European requirements. You will also act as a internal consultant for innovation and R&D teams, providing guidance on eco-conception practices. By consolidating performance indicators, you ensure that the group's sustainability progress is accurately reported to both internal management and external B2B clients.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers significant exposure to the regulatory landscape of the chemical and polymer industry, specifically regarding eco-design and plastic packaging standards. You will gain deep expertise in carbon accounting methodologies and the practicalities of implementing a decarbonization trajectory within a global industrial framework. Working alongside R&D and engineering, you will likely enhance your technical knowledge of bio-based materials and circular economy business models. The international nature of the role provides a unique opportunity to learn how to adapt sustainability strategies to different cultural and operational contexts across Europe and the United States.

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

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field, with at least two years of professional experience in sustainability or project management. A strong technical foundation in chemistry, polymers, or energy systems is highly valued, as it allows for credible interaction with production and R&D teams. Analytical rigor is essential, as you will spend considerable time processing data to automate carbon and performance metrics. You should be a collaborative professional who can influence teams across different functions without direct authority, backed by excellent communication skills in both French and English.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical data and strategic communication. Highlight specific examples where you have managed complex projects involving multiple departments like purchasing or quality, and explain how you measured the success of those initiatives. Given Novacel's focus on material science, any evidence of your understanding of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or plastic recycling challenges will be a major advantage. Tailor your application to show that you are not just a strategist, but a pragmatic problem-solver who understands the industrial constraints of a global manufacturing firm.

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

The role focuses heavily on decarbonization and resource management. This includes reducing reliance on non-renewable resources and fighting pollution through better waste management at production sites. You will be the point person for aligning the company's climate strategy with the expectations of its industrial clients and financial stakeholders. There is also a strong emphasis on sustainable procurement. You will work to integrate supplier progress into the company's overall carbon trajectory and ensure that the entire supply chain adheres to rigorous ethical and environmental standards, reflecting the 'Beyond the Surface' corporate philosophy.

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

One of the primary challenges will be data consolidation across international sites with potentially varying levels of digital maturity. You will need to build robust, automated systems that can handle complex calculations for product footprints while ensuring data accuracy for regulatory compliance. Additionally, driving change in a well-established industrial environment requires significant change management skills. You must convince internal teams, from sales to operations, that sustainability initiatives are not just constraints but drivers of long-term value and client satisfaction.

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

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the R&D team to discuss the environmental impact of a new adhesive formulation. You might then shift to analyzing supplier surveys to update the group's scope 3 carbon data, followed by a call with a site manager in Italy to discuss local waste recycling initiatives. Afternoons could be spent on strategic reporting, preparing responses for major B2B clients who require detailed CSR performance data. You will likely end the day reviewing upcoming European environmental regulations to ensure the product roadmap remains compliant with future legislative shifts.

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

Within a global leader like Novacel, this role offers a high-visibility platform that could lead to Group-level leadership positions in CSR or ESG management. The transverse nature of the work provides deep insight into every business function, making lateral moves into operations or marketing management a possibility. Success in this role builds a profile as an industrial sustainability expert, a highly sought-after skill set in the current market. You will be well-positioned to lead larger-scale transformation projects or take on regional CSR directorships as the company's sustainability department continues to evolve.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to the Director of Marketing, Communication, and CSR, placing you at the heart of the company's strategic positioning. Your internal network will be vast, including R&D, Purchasing, Engineering, and Operations teams across France, Italy, and the US. Externally, you will interact with suppliers and B2B clients to align on sustainability expectations and progress. You may also represent the company at professional trade shows or conferences, and collaborate with environmental certification bodies and recycling partners.

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