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Environmental Project Manager

Novo Nordisk • Denmark • Added on Aug 6, 2026
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This role centers on tackling the most significant portion of the company’s environmental footprint: the supply chain. You will take charge of decarbonization initiatives for strategic raw material categories, transforming high-level net-zero targets into actionable projects. By working directly with procurement and external partners, you will identify technical levers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lead cross-functional efforts to implement these changes across a global production network.

The stakes are incredibly high, as the supply chain accounts for roughly 96% of the company’s total emissions. Successfully navigating this role means directly influencing the decarbonization of the pharmaceutical industry at scale, moving beyond simple reporting to achieve tangible carbon reductions in the sourcing of vital medicines. It is a chance to define how a global leader manages its upstream impact while contributing to a circular economy.

This suits someone who possesses deep expertise in Scope 3 accounting and procurement, combined with the strategic resilience needed to influence diverse stakeholders within a highly regulated and complex corporate environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission is to accelerate upstream supply decarbonization, moving the needle on the 96% of emissions that sit within the supply chain. You will lead the development and execution of strategies for specific raw material categories, identifying technical levers that can reduce the carbon intensity of purchased goods. Beyond strategy, you are responsible for the practical implementation of these initiatives. This involves partnering with sourcing teams to integrate sustainability into supplier contracts and tracking the measurable progress of greenhouse gas reductions to ensure the company remains on track for its 2045 net-zero commitment.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in pharmaceutical supply chain dynamics and the specific decarbonization challenges associated with highly regulated medical raw materials. The role offers a unique vantage point on how a global giant operationalizes Scope 3 reductions at scale, providing exposure to cutting-edge greenhouse gas accounting methodologies. Furthermore, you will have the chance to engage in industry-wide collaborations and external partnerships. This exposure will sharpen your ability to drive systemic change and understand how cross-industry standards are evolving to address the climate crisis.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of experience at the intersection of sustainability and procurement. A Master’s degree in a technical field like environmental science or engineering is essential to handle the complexities of raw material life cycles and greenhouse gas accounting. Soft skills are just as vital as technical ones; you need to be a persuasive communicator capable of influencing category managers and suppliers. The ability to translate complex environmental data into a compelling business case for internal stakeholders is what will set a candidate apart.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to deliver measurable impact rather than just managing processes. Since the company values the 'how' as much as the 'what,' demonstrate your experience in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments where you had to secure buy-in for sustainability initiatives that might have initially faced resistance. Highlight your specific experience with raw material decarbonization or supplier engagement. In your CV summary, briefly explain your personal motivation for joining a healthcare company and how your environmental expertise aligns with their mission to improve both patient and planetary health.

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

The role is laser-focused on Scope 3 emissions and the 'Circular for Zero' environmental strategy. You will work on the environmental impact of physical goods, looking at everything from the carbon footprint of chemical precursors to the sustainability of packaging materials. There is also a significant focus on systems change. By representing the company in external partnerships, you will contribute to broader industry standards, ensuring that sustainability becomes a core metric in pharmaceutical sourcing alongside quality and cost.

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

One of the primary hurdles will be stakeholder alignment within a highly regulated industry where quality and safety are paramount. Balancing aggressive decarbonization targets with the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical manufacturing can create friction that requires creative problem-solving. Additionally, data availability and supplier transparency remain significant challenges in Scope 3 management. You will need to find pragmatic ways to collect reliable data and drive action even when perfect information is not yet available from all tiers of the supply chain.

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

A typical day might begin with a cross-functional project meeting involving the Sourcing and Procurement teams to review the progress of a specific supplier engagement pilot. You might then transition to analyzing emissions data to identify new decarbonization levers for a strategic raw material category. Afternoons are often dedicated to external engagement, perhaps participating in an industry workgroup, or providing internal 'sparring' and guidance to a category manager on how to evaluate a supplier's environmental performance during a tender process.

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

Being part of the CEO Office and Corporate Strategy function provides high visibility and a clear path for professional development. Successful project managers in this space often move into senior leadership roles within sustainability or transition into strategic procurement management. Given the company's size and global reach, there are also opportunities for lateral moves into different business areas or geographic regions, allowing you to broaden your impact across various parts of the pharmaceutical value chain.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include Category Managers in Sourcing and Procurement, as well as colleagues in the Corporate Strategy and Sustainability department. You will also interact with business unit leaders who rely on these raw materials for production. Externally, your primary interactions will be with strategic suppliers and industry partners. Building collaborative relationships with these entities is crucial to ensuring they are willing and able to align with the company’s ambitious decarbonization pathway.

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