O

Sustainability Program Manager, Waste & Circularity

Oracle • United States • Added on Jul 24, 2026
Apply →

As the Principal Program Manager for Waste & Circularity, you will lead the strategic direction of material efficiency across Oracle’s global operations. You will own the company-wide waste diversion targets, translating high-level sustainability goals into operational reality for both corporate offices and massive data center environments. From managing hardware take-back programs to standardizing global waste data, you are the architect of Oracle’s circular economy framework.

This role is critical because it addresses the physical footprint of the digital world. By embedding circularity into OCI’s hardware lifecycle and procurement strategies, you directly influence the reduction of e-waste and transition Oracle toward a closed-loop enterprise. You will bridge the gap between logistics, data centers, and global sustainability reporting, ensuring that every piece of hardware is handled with maximum resource recovery in mind.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical understanding of material flow analysis and thrives in a complex, data-driven IT environment where they must influence senior stakeholders to adopt green technologies.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to define and operationalize a global strategy for waste diversion and minimization. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of hardware, ensuring that take-back programs are optimized for reuse and recycling. This involves setting company-wide metrics and tracking progress through rigorous data analysis. Additionally, you will work to integrate circular procurement standards into the supply chain. You will manage the accuracy of waste data to support regulatory reporting frameworks like CSRD and ESRS, while also building a business case for new sustainability-focussed materials and logistics solutions.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep expertise in large-scale corporate ESG compliance, specifically navigating the complexities of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and GRI within a US-based tech giant. You will also develop a specialized understanding of data center sustainability, a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of AI and environmental impact. Exposure to Oracle’s own enterprise sustainability software will provide you with cutting-edge technical skills in data management. Furthermore, you will learn to manage complex hardware take-back models and reverse logistics, which are critical components of the modern circular economy.

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

The ideal candidate brings 5 to 8 years of experience in program management focused on resource conservation or circular economy. You should have a strong academic background in environmental management and a proven track record of implementing zero-waste concepts in a corporate setting. Technical proficiency in material flow analysis and familiarity with sustainability reporting software like Workiva or SAP is highly valued. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be an exceptional leader capable of driving cultural change across diverse business units, from logistics teams to executive offices.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your experience with hardware lifecycles or e-waste management, as this is a core focus for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. If you have experience with 'book-and-claim' models or emerging green technologies, make sure to highlight these as they align with Oracle's interest in circular innovation. Demonstrate your ability to use data for strategic prioritization. Instead of just listing responsibilities, provide examples of how you used specific metrics to influence business decisions or secure buy-in for a sustainability project from senior stakeholders.

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

The role focuses heavily on the environmental pillar of ESG, specifically targeting waste management and resource efficiency. You will likely spend significant time on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), ensuring data center hardware is repurposed or recycled according to strict circular economy principles. Another key focus area is sustainable procurement. You will work to ensure that the materials and products Oracle buys are designed for longevity and easy recycling, helping the company meet its broader decarbonization and material efficiency targets.

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

One of the main challenges is the complexity of a global supply chain. Coordinating circular initiatives across different regions with varying waste regulations requires high level of adaptability. You may also face the challenge of reconciling operational speed with the time-intensive nature of sustainable hardware recovery. Furthermore, improving the auditability of waste data in a decentralized environment can be difficult. You will need to standardize data collection from numerous vendors and internal sites to ensure it meets the rigorous requirements of modern sustainability reporting.

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

A typical day might begin with a meeting with data center operations to review the performance of a hardware take-back initiative. You might then shift to analyzing waste diversion data to prepare a status report for the Global Sustainability Office. In the afternoon, you could be drafting a business case for a new circular solution or meeting with the procurement team to discuss sustainability scorecards for suppliers. The day often concludes with stakeholder engagement, providing guidance or training to a specific business unit on responsible resource management.

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

As a Principal Program Manager (IC4 level), you are in a high-visibility role with a path toward executive leadership in sustainability. The exposure to global compliance and strategic planning provides a foundation for moving into Director-level roles within the Global Sustainability Office. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into supply chain or logistics leadership, where circular economy expertise is becoming increasingly valuable. Participating in industry coalitions will also help you build a professional network that spans the entire tech and sustainability sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with Data Center Operations and Reverse Logistics teams to manage hardware recovery. On the strategic side, you will work closely with the Global Sustainability Office and Procurement leaders to align circularity with corporate goals. External stakeholders include waste management vendors, hardware recycling partners, and industry coalitions. You will also engage with senior leadership across Oracle to secure buy-in for new programs and report on the company's progress toward its sustainability commitments.

CSR Jobs newsletter

Never miss the next opportunity

Get a curated selection of new CSR, ESG, and sustainability roles in your inbox. No daily noise, just useful opportunities.

Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.