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Sustainability Manager

Pon • Netherlands • Added on Aug 6, 2026
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As a central figure in the sustainability team, you will drive the execution of a 2030 strategy across a vast portfolio of mobility and automotive brands. This is a high-impact position where you act as an internal consultant, translating complex climate goals into actionable commercial roadmaps for diverse business units. You will own the integration of ESG principles into the heart of operations, ensuring that sustainability is not a side project but a core driver of value.

This role is critical because it bridges the gap between high-level policy and real-world mobility solutions. At a group that manages everything from bicycles to automotive logistics, your work directly influences the decarbonization and circularity of the European transport sector. You have the unique opportunity to shape the sustainability governance of a global family-owned giant, turning regulatory requirements like CSRD into competitive advantages.

This suits someone who possesses a commercial mindset and several years of experience in corporate strategy or management consulting. You should be a diplomatic yet firm advocate for change who enjoys navigating the complexities of multi-brand organizations.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to accelerate the 2030 sustainability strategy by acting as a strategic partner to various operating companies. You will be responsible for translating complex environmental challenges into practical, scalable business opportunities, ensuring that sustainability contributes to financial performance. Key responsibilities include leading strategic projects that integrate circularity into the value chain and serving as the strategic bridge to the Finance Reporting Team. You will also standardize group-wide policies to meet evolving EU regulations while mentoring internal teams to foster a robust corporate sustainability culture. Furthermore, you will manage executive communication by developing compelling materials for the Planet Committee. This involves synthesizing market intelligence and industry trends to support long-term environmental planning across both the automotive and bike sectors.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep exposure to large-scale ESG transformation within a complex, multi-brand environment. You will become an expert in navigating the nuances of the CSRD and CSDDD frameworks, learning how to implement these regulatory requirements in a way that creates tangible business value rather than just administrative compliance. There is also a significant opportunity to develop sector-specific expertise in the transition from traditional automotive models to sustainable mobility and circular bike economies. Working within a lean, high-level team at a global holding company provides a rare vantage point on how sustainability strategy is executed across different continents and industries.

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

The ideal candidate brings between 5 to 7 years of experience in corporate sustainability or management consulting. It is essential to have a background where you have navigated the intersection of ESG metrics and financial performance, as this role requires the ability to speak the language of business unit heads and commercial directors. Technical knowledge of European regulatory landscapes is mandatory, particularly regarding the Digital Product Passport and reporting standards. Beyond technical skills, the candidate needs the 'gravitas' to influence senior stakeholders and the diplomacy required to challenge established operational norms in a family-owned business context.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your commercial acumen by highlighting specific instances where you turned a sustainability goal into a profitable or cost-saving business initiative. Pon values an entrepreneurial spirit, so show how you have taken ownership of projects in the past without waiting for a detailed roadmap. Given the company’s focus on mobility, tailoring your application to show an understanding of the automotive or logistics value chain will be highly beneficial. If you have experience with circular economy projects or product life cycle assessments, emphasize these as they align directly with the group's current strategic focus on circularity.

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

The role focuses heavily on decarbonization and circularity within the mobility sector. You will likely work on projects related to the electrification of vehicle fleets, sustainable procurement in the bike manufacturing division, and the implementation of circular propositions like bike leasing or second-life battery strategies. Governance and data integrity are also major focal points. You will ensure that the greenhouse gas accounting and ESG data engines are robust enough to support transparent reporting and meet the high standards of global regulatory bodies, effectively embedding sustainability into the company’s financial DNA.

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

One of the main challenges is the diversity of the portfolio; you must adapt your strategy to work for both high-end automotive brands and urban bicycle companies. Each business unit has its own culture and operational maturity, requiring a highly tailored approach to stakeholder management. Additionally, balancing the rigor of compliance with the need for commercial agility can be difficult. Moving beyond 'compliance for compliance's sake' to convince commercial leaders that ESG initiatives are worth the investment in a fast-paced trading environment will require persistence and data-backed persuasion.

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

A typical day might begin with a meeting with the Finance team to align on ESG data integration, followed by a brainstorming session with a brand manager from a subsidiary like Gazelle or Swapfiets to discuss circular business models. You might spend your afternoon drafting a strategic brief for the Planet Committee or analyzing new EU directives. Your time is often split between high-level strategic planning and operational support. You could be acting as a mentor to a junior sustainability officer in one hour and then presenting data-driven insights to executive stakeholders in the next, ensuring a constant flow of information between the holding company and its subsidiaries.

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

This position offers significant visibility at the executive level, providing a platform to influence the direction of one of the Netherlands' largest companies. Successful performance could lead to leadership roles within the sustainability function or a move into a senior operational or strategic role within one of the group’s many global business units. Pon also emphasizes continuous learning through their Summer and Winter Labs, allowing you to sharpen your leadership and technical skills. The international nature of the group provides potential for global mobility and the chance to lead cross-border sustainability projects that impact millions of customers.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with Executive Stakeholders and the Planet Committee to report on progress and seek strategic alignment. On an operational level, you will work closely with heads of Finance, Procurement, and Operations across the various business units to integrate ESG targets into their daily workflows. External stakeholders include Value Chain Partners, such as suppliers and logistics providers, where you will collaborate on Scope 3 emissions reductions. You will also act as a primary point of contact for regulatory bodies and industry working groups to ensure Pon remains at the forefront of sustainability standards.

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