R

Werkstudent ESG Supply Chain

Rheinmetall • Germany • Added on Jun 13, 2026
Apply →

This working-student role supports the development and rollout of a group-wide supplier strategy with a clear focus on social and environmental standards. You’ll actively contribute to analyzing regulatory requirements and help embed ESG criteria firmly into the company’s global procurement processes, working alongside colleagues reshaping how the group sources responsibly.

In an industry facing profound transformation, securing a responsible supply chain is critical. By working on topics like the CSDDD and the EU Deforestation Regulation, you make a measurable contribution to reducing risk and helping an internationally leading technology group reach its sustainability goals.

This suits someone who is a motivated student eager to translate academic knowledge of sustainable supply chain management directly into industrial practice, and who enjoys working with regulatory detail as much as with data.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The selected student will play a supportive role in shaping the group-wide supplier strategy. This involves deep dives into regulatory frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to ensure procurement alignment. Day-to-day tasks include performing research, conducting data collection and analysis on sustainability topics, and preparing decision papers or reports for internal leadership. You will also collaborate with various functional departments to refine sustainable supply chain processes.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers a unique window into how high-level ESG regulations transform into operational procurement workflows within a large industrial corporation. You will gain hands-on experience with the practical application of ESG metrics and supplier risk assessments. Furthermore, you will enhance your proficiency in data management using advanced Excel techniques and learn to communicate complex sustainability data through professional PowerPoint presentations aimed at corporate decision-makers.

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

The ideal candidate is currently enrolled in a degree program focused on Sustainability, Supply Chain Management, or Industrial Engineering. A strong analytical mindset and a genuine interest in environmental and social standards are essential for the data-driven aspects of the role. Proficiency in MS Office and fluency in both German and English are required, as you will be operating in an international environment where precise communication and structured work methods are paramount.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to synthesize regulatory text into actionable data. Highlight any academic projects or previous internships where you dealt specifically with supply chain ethics or environmental auditing. Given the company's focus on national and international security, demonstrating a principled and detail-oriented approach to compliance tasks will help you stand out. Tailor your cover letter to show why sustainable procurement is critical for the defense and technology sector specifically.

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

The role is primarily focused on Supply Chain Due Diligence and the social/environmental governance of the value chain. By helping implement EUDR and CSDDD, you directly support the company's 'S' and 'G' pillars in ESG. Additionally, your work might touch upon the environmental footprint of purchased goods, contributing indirectly to the company's broader objective of reaching CO2 neutrality by 2035 through better supplier selection and monitoring.

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

A significant challenge will be navigating the complex regulatory landscape and translating abstract legal requirements into practical business steps. You may find it challenging to manage disparate data sets from various global suppliers. Working in a highly regulated industry like defense means that compliance standards are exceptionally high, requiring a degree of precision and rigor that might be more intense than in other consumer-facing sectors.

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

A typical day might begin with a team meeting to discuss the current status of the supplier ESG auditing process. You might then spend the morning researching the implications of new EU directives for specific product categories. The afternoon could involve cleaning and analyzing data in Excel to prepare a progress report, followed by a coordination call with the procurement team to ensure that sustainability criteria are integrated into upcoming supplier negotiations.

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

While this is a working student position, success in this role could lead to potential thesis collaboration or future entry-level opportunities within the ESG or Procurement departments at Rheinmetall. You will build a strong professional network across various departments, providing visibility into multiple career paths within sustainability management, compliance, and global supply chain operations.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with the Sustainability and Procurement teams, who serve as your primary supervisors. You will also engage with colleagues from legal and compliance departments to verify regulatory alignment. Internal stakeholders also include managers from different business units who require sustainability data for their own reporting or decision-making processes, as well as external data providers for ESG scoring.

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.