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Sustainability Analyst II

Rheem Manufacturing Company • United States • Added on Sep 9, 2026
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The Sustainability Analyst II is a data-driven role responsible for quantifying and steering the environmental performance of a global manufacturing enterprise. You will own the collation and analysis of product and process metrics, moving beyond simple tracking to provide the insights necessary to meet ambitious 2025 targets. This involves everything from conducting onsite waste audits to building comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories across diverse international facilities.

This role is pivotal because it bridges the gap between high-level corporate strategy and the physical reality of HVACR manufacturing. By translating complex data into actionable product marketing elements and supporting Zero Waste to Landfill initiatives, you directly influence how millions of heating and cooling units are produced and perceived in the market. It is a rare chance to scale sustainability across a massive industrial footprint.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering or life sciences background and thrives on transforming technical data into strategic influence. You should be a self-starter comfortable navigating the complexities of global operations while maintaining rigorous attention to detail.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a Sustainability Analyst II, your primary mission is to serve as the analytical engine for the company's global sustainability strategy. You will be responsible for building greenhouse gas inventories and tracking progress toward 2025 product and process goals. This involves high-level data collation across international sites to ensure reporting accuracy. Beyond data entry, you will actively conduct periodic waste audits at manufacturing facilities to support the Zero Waste to Landfill initiative. You will also be tasked with competitive research within the HVACR sector, helping the leadership team make informed strategic decisions based on market trends and regulatory shifts. Ultimately, you will translate technical findings into marketing elements and strategic insights. This includes supporting the development of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are becoming increasingly critical for commercial transparency and market share growth.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers a deep dive into the technicalities of GHG Accounting and Life Cycle Assessments within a complex, global manufacturing context. You will likely gain hands-on experience with international environmental standards and the practical challenges of implementing sustainability at scale across different regulatory jurisdictions. Working directly under the Sustainability Engineering Manager, you will receive mentorship in strategic project management and stakeholder influence. You will learn how to build a business case for green initiatives, a skill that is vital for moving from a purely technical role into sustainability leadership. Additionally, the exposure to global R&D and operations teams will broaden your understanding of sustainable product design. You will see firsthand how sustainability criteria are integrated into the engineering and manufacturing stages of complex machinery like HVAC and commercial refrigeration systems.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in engineering or life sciences and brings at least three years of experience in operational sustainability or environmental science. You should be highly proficient in data analysis and have a working knowledge of greenhouse gas protocols and environmental management standards. Soft skills are just as important as technical ones in this role. Rheem looks for self-starters who can operate independently while maintaining a collaborative spirit. The ability to break down complex environmental data into simple, persuasive terms for non-technical stakeholders is a key differentiator for success. Experience working within a large, geographically diverse manufacturing firm is a significant advantage. The role requires someone who is not only comfortable with spreadsheets but also willing to engage in on-site audits and potential global travel to see where the physical impact occurs.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your specific experience with carbon accounting and waste reduction programs in an industrial setting. Don't just list your skills; describe a time you turned environmental data into a strategic business recommendation or a successful operational change. Rheem values results-oriented professionals who understand the business case for sustainability. Tailor your application to highlight your familiarity with the HVACR industry or similar high-impact manufacturing sectors. Showing that you understand the specific challenges of thermal products—such as energy efficiency and refrigerant management—will demonstrate that you can hit the ground running without needing extensive industry-specific training. Finally, align your messaging with Rheem’s behavior-based values, particularly Thinking Creatively and Acting with Responsibility. Provide examples of how you have influenced internal stakeholders in the past to adopt more sustainable practices, as this cross-functional influence is central to the role.

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

The role focuses heavily on the circular economy and decarbonization. A major part of your work will involve the Zero Waste to Landfill initiative, which requires a granular understanding of manufacturing waste streams and the logistics of diversion and recycling at a global scale. There is also a significant focus on product stewardship. By working on LCAs and EPDs, you will help the company lower the embodied carbon of its air and water solutions. This ensures that sustainability is not just a corporate department but is embedded into the DNA of the products sold to consumers. Operational efficiency is the third pillar. By tracking GHG footprints at global facilities, you will help identify hotspots for energy reduction and efficiency improvements. This data-driven approach allows the company to prioritize investments that offer the greatest environmental return on investment.

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

One of the primary challenges will be data consistency across global locations. Coordinating metrics from facilities with different reporting cultures, local regulations, and resource availability requires both technical rigor and excellent interpersonal diplomacy to ensure global alignment. Another challenge lies in the cross-functional influence required. You will be interacting with R&D, operations, and marketing teams who may have competing priorities. Successfully advocating for sustainability initiatives requires the ability to demonstrate how these projects improve market share and operational efficiency. Finally, the technical complexity of Life Cycle Assessments for intricate mechanical systems can be daunting. Keeping up with evolving global standards while producing actionable insights that lead to actual product redesigns requires a high level of persistence and analytical depth.

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

A typical day might begin with a global sync with an operations team in a different time zone to review their latest energy or waste data. You would then move into deep-focus work, perhaps building out a GHG inventory or analyzing competitive sustainability reports to benchmark Rheem's performance. Mid-day, you might participate in a Sustainability Strategy Session, collaborating with engineering and marketing teams to decide how to communicate a product's environmental benefits to customers. This requires switching from a technical mindset to a strategic and communicative one, ensuring all data is framed correctly for the target audience. Afternoons could be spent preparing for an upcoming on-site waste audit or fulfilling miscellaneous data requests from the R&D team. The variety of tasks ensures that you are constantly moving between high-level strategy and the detailed, technical work that supports it.

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

This role is a clear stepping stone toward Senior Sustainability Management or specialized roles in Sustainability Engineering. Given the enterprise-wide scope, you will gain high visibility among senior leaders, positioning you for future leadership roles within the sustainability department or adjacent functions like Operations or R&D. Because the program is global and still expanding, there are opportunities to lead specific global initiatives, such as taking the helm of a worldwide LCA rollout. Successfully managing such a high-stakes project can significantly accelerate your career trajectory within the firm. Additionally, the role provides the foundational experience needed to eventually move into strategic planning or ESG reporting leadership. As regulatory requirements for manufacturing companies increase, the expertise you gain in GHG accounting and EPDs will make you an indispensable asset to the organization.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to the Sustainability Engineering Manager, who provides the strategic direction for global initiatives. Your most frequent interactions will be with global operations and R&D teams, where you will serve as the primary sustainability contact for their technical and reporting needs. External stakeholders may include third-party auditors and certification bodies involved in verifying carbon footprints or waste-to-landfill claims. You will also occasionally work with co-manufacturing partners and suppliers to ensure their processes align with Rheem's corporate sustainability standards. Internally, you will also collaborate with marketing and sales departments. By providing them with verified sustainability metrics and product insights, you enable them to better communicate the value of Rheem’s sustainable innovations to the broader market.

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