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Medior/Senior Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Specialist Sustainability

Royal De Heus Netherlands Added on Sep 14, 2026
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As a key member of the Global Sustainability team, you will take ownership of the technical methodologies that define the company’s environmental impact. This involves conducting rigorous Life Cycle Assessments for feed products and developing the proprietary calculation rules that track greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain. You will be the primary architect of tools that help livestock and fish farmers worldwide quantify and reduce their on-farm footprints.

The global animal protein sector is at a critical juncture regarding its environmental footprint, and your work provides the data-driven foundation for industry transformation. By translating complex scientific datasets into actionable insights, you enable the company to lower the carbon intensity of global food systems. This role is pivotal for achieving transparency and measurable progress in an industry where feed production accounts for the majority of agricultural emissions.

This suits someone who possesses deep technical LCA expertise combined with a genuine interest in agricultural systems. You should be a proactive problem-solver who enjoys bridging the gap between scientific modeling and real-world farm applications.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves defining the technical methodology for carbon footprinting across a global portfolio of animal feed products. You will be responsible for executing high-level Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in compliance with ISO 14040/14044 standards, ensuring every calculation is scientifically robust. Beyond technical modeling, you will lead the creation of on-farm environmental impact tools designed for customers. This means translating internal feed data into practical greenhouse gas calculators that farmers can use to make informed decisions about their own production systems. Furthermore, you will act as a strategic advisor to management by monitoring global trends in LCA methodologies, such as PEFCR Feed and GFLI databases. You ensure the company stays ahead of regulatory changes and industry standards while maintaining data transparency.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain profound expertise in the PEFCR (Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules) specifically for the feed industry, which is a leading standard in European environmental policy. This role offers deep exposure to global agricultural databases and specialized sustainability software used at an enterprise scale. Working within a global sustainability team allows for cross-disciplinary learning between animal nutrition science, procurement, and corporate strategy. You will likely develop a specialized understanding of scope 3 emissions management within complex biological supply chains, a highly sought-after skill set in the current market.

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

The successful candidate must have at least five years of professional experience in LCA modeling, with a clear ability to work independently on complex datasets. A strong background in animal science, agronomy, or environmental engineering is essential to understand the biological realities behind the numbers. Technically, you should be proficient with LCA software and have a firm grasp of international standards like ISO 14067 and the GHG Protocol. Soft skills are equally vital; you need the persuasive communication ability to explain data findings to stakeholders who may not have a technical sustainability background.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on specific examples where you have translated raw LCA data into business value or operational changes. Mentioning your familiarity with the GFLI (Global Feed LCA Institute) database or specific experience with feed-related LCAs will immediately signal your industry readiness. Showcase your ability to work autonomously in an entrepreneurial environment. De Heus values 'powering progress,' so highlighting a time you took the initiative to build a tool or improve a calculation methodology without waiting for a direct mandate will resonate with their corporate culture.

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

This role is primarily focused on the environmental pillar of sustainability, specifically climate change mitigation and resource efficiency. By refining feed formulations through LCA insights, you contribute directly to reducing the carbon footprint of meat, milk, and fish production. There is also a strong focus on value chain transparency. By providing accurate data to farmers and retail partners, the role supports the broader agricultural ecosystem in meeting global ESG targets and improving the sustainability profile of the entire animal protein supply chain.

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

Data quality and availability in agriculture can be inconsistent, so a major challenge will be managing data gaps and ensuring accuracy across different international regions. You will need to balance technical perfection with the practical need for usable tools in diverse farming environments. Navigating a large, results-oriented global organization means you may face challenges in aligning various business units with new sustainability methodologies. Overcoming resistance to change requires patience and the ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of carbon-efficient feeding strategies.

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

A typical day might begin with a deep dive into LCA software to model the impact of new raw material sources or feed additives. You might then transition to a meeting with the IT or R&D teams to discuss the integration of your calculation rules into customer-facing digital platforms. Afternoons are often spent in collaborative sessions with global colleagues, advising them on how to interpret environmental data for their specific markets. You might also spend time researching updates in international carbon reporting standards to ensure the company's tools remain compliant and cutting-edge.

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

As the global demand for sustainable food systems grows, this role offers a path toward strategic leadership within the sustainability department. You could eventually oversee larger teams or move into a role focused on global environmental policy and corporate climate strategy. There is also significant opportunity for horizontal growth. Your technical expertise could lead to projects in sustainable procurement, product innovation, or even strategic partnerships with NGOs and international bodies focused on agricultural decarbonization.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internally, you will interact frequently with the Global Sustainability Manager and colleagues in R&D, product management, and procurement. These interactions ensure that sustainability data is integrated into the heart of the company's nutritional products. Externally, you will engage with database providers, industry bodies, and environmental consultants to stay aligned with global standards. You may also occasionally interface with large-scale customers or agricultural partners to help them understand the environmental metrics of the feed they use.

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