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Group Sustainability Manager

Royal Unibrew Denmark Added on Aug 1, 2026
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As the Group Sustainability Manager, you will serve as the strategic architect behind the environmental and social transformation of a major multi-beverage group. You will own the transition from high-level vision to measurable impact, overseeing everything from carbon footprint assessments to the integration of sustainability data into financial decision-making. Your role is to bridge the gap between executive management and regional operations, ensuring that global targets result in tangible progress across dozens of international markets.

This position matters because you will be tackling the complex sustainability challenges inherent to the beverage industry, such as water stewardship, sustainable packaging, and ethical supply chains. By influencing how iconic brands like Pepsi and Heineken are managed locally, you directly contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of products enjoyed in over 70 countries. You are not just reporting data; you are redefining how a growth-oriented company balances commercial success with its social and ecological responsibilities.

This suits someone who possesses a master’s level education and thrives in a dual-track environment, comfortable switching between granular carbon data and high-stakes boardroom presentations. You should be an expert in the evolving regulatory landscape who enjoys empowering others through evidence-based storytelling.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to translate global sustainability ambitions into a coherent, executable strategy across all business units. This involves leading environmental assessments, such as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) accounting and Product Environmental Footprints (PEF), while advocating for the robust data systems necessary to track these metrics accurately. You will be responsible for evaluating supplier performance and driving sustainability throughout the supply chain, ensuring that procurement practices align with the group's ethical and environmental standards. Additionally, the role includes providing strategic support to regional teams to help them localize group targets effectively.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in regulatory compliance and reporting frameworks like CSRD and PPWR, which are currently reshaping the European beverage industry. You will also have the chance to work with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting, positioning you at the forefront of climate disclosure standards. Beyond technical skills, the role offers a unique look into the multi-beverage business model, including the complexities of licensed production for global giants like PepsiCo. This provides a high-level view of how sustainability intersects with global logistics, retail partnerships, and manufacturing at scale.

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

The ideal candidate holds a Master's degree and brings significant experience in project management and sustainability strategy. You must be highly analytical and comfortable using data to influence decision-makers at the executive level. A firm grasp of MS Office, particularly for data modeling and presentation, is essential. Soft skills are equally important; you need to be a collaborative communicator who can engage diverse teams across different cultures. Being able to navigate both the strategic policy side and the hands-on data collection side of sustainability is what will set a candidate apart.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to drive cross-functional change. Since the job involves working with executive management and regional teams, provide specific examples where you successfully convinced stakeholders to adopt a new sustainability practice or technology. Highlight your technical literacy regarding GHG protocols and CSRD to show you are ready for immediate impact. Research Royal Unibrew's specific brand portfolio and consider the packaging and water challenges unique to the beverage sector. Demonstrating that you understand the industry-specific pressures, such as the Plastic and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), will prove your proactive mindset and deep sector knowledge.

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

The role focuses heavily on the decarbonization of the supply chain and the reduction of the company's environmental footprint through data-driven strategies. You will likely focus on energy efficiency in breweries, sustainable packaging innovation, and circular economy principles to meet evolving EU regulations. Social impact is also a key pillar, specifically regarding how the company interacts with local communities in its core markets. You will be tasked with ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of social responsibility, maintaining the 'local beverage partner' identity through ethical sourcing and community engagement.

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

One of the main challenges is aligning diverse regional markets under a single global strategy. Each country has different infrastructure and local regulations, meaning a one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability rarely works. You will need to be flexible and persuasive to ensure consistent progress. Another challenge is the integration of sustainability data into financial reporting. As regulations like CSRD take effect, the level of rigor required for non-financial reporting is increasing, which requires significant coordination between the sustainability team, IT, and Finance departments.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of environmental data from a specific region to track progress against SBTi targets. This could be followed by a meeting with the procurement team to discuss how to improve supplier sustainability assessments or a session with marketing to craft authentic sustainability stories for customers. In the afternoon, you might shift to strategic planning, preparing recommendations for the Executive Management team or participating in a cross-functional workshop to brainstorm innovations in packaging. The day usually ends with stakeholder communication, ensuring that internal and external partners are updated on the group's recent achievements.

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

Given the strategic nature of this role and its direct interaction with Executive Management, there are significant pathways to senior leadership within the ESG or operations functions. You will be operating at the 'strategic hub' of the company, providing high visibility for your work and results. As the company continues its international expansion, there may also be opportunities for global mobility or leading larger, multi-market sustainability initiatives. The role is designed for someone who wants to grow alongside the company's sustainability maturity and geographic reach.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work closely with Executive Management to align sustainability with financial goals. Internally, your main partners will be the regional management teams, procurement officers, and the communications department. You are the link between high-level strategy and operational reality. Externally, you will interact with suppliers and logistics partners to improve the value chain's footprint. You will also engage with industry bodies, regulators, and potentially license partners like PepsiCo and Heineken to ensure shared sustainability standards are met across the entire brand portfolio.

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