S

Environmental Sustainability Manager

Saputo Inc. • United States • Added on Sep 12, 2026
Apply →

The Environmental Sustainability Manager takes charge of the facility-level environmental management systems across two key production sites. You will bridge the gap between high-level sustainability targets and day-to-day operations by managing compliance, tracking performance data, and identifying technical inefficiencies in utility systems. This is a hands-on role where you serve as both the technical specialist and the internal advisor for resource conservation initiatives.

In the resource-intensive dairy processing industry, this role is critical for driving tangible reductions in energy, water, and waste. By optimizing manufacturing systems like refrigeration and steam, you directly influence the company’s progress toward its global climate commitments. Your work translates corporate ESG goals into concrete operational changes that lower the environmental footprint of essential food products while ensuring local regulatory adherence.

This suits someone who is a data-driven problem solver with a technical background in manufacturing utilities and a passion for environmental stewardship. You should be comfortable moving between the factory floor and management meetings to champion sustainable practices.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves overseeing the Environmental Management System (EMS) for two specific manufacturing facilities. You will be responsible for ensuring that all operations remain in strict compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations while simultaneously driving progress toward corporate sustainability targets. This includes developing tactical plans to reduce resource consumption and reporting on key performance indicators. Beyond administrative oversight, you will act as a technical advisor to the plant's leadership team. You will conduct assessments of utility systems, such as refrigeration and steam, to identify areas where efficiency improvements can be made. By bridging the gap between engineering and sustainability, you ensure that environmental goals are integrated into the facility's routine operations.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates in this position will gain deep exposure to industrial utility optimization within a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will learn how to analyze and improve complex systems like Clean in Place (CIP) protocols, compressed air, and heat recovery, which are essential for large-scale dairy processing. This provides a rare opportunity to apply technical engineering concepts directly to carbon reduction strategies. Furthermore, the role offers a pathway to mastering international standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. You will also become familiar with prestigious voluntary programs like EPA Energy Star and the DOE Better Plants program. These frameworks provide a robust methodology for environmental management that is highly transferable across the global manufacturing sector.

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

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Environmental Science or Engineering and brings at least three years of experience in a manufacturing plant. A strong technical aptitude is essential, particularly the ability to read process drawings and understand Programmable Logic Controls (PLCs). You should be a boot-on-the-ground professional who isn't afraid to spend time on the factory floor to identify waste and troubleshoot utility inefficiencies. Soft skills are equally important, as you must be a relationship builder who can motivate diverse teams to adopt new sustainability practices. Certifications such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or ASHRAE qualifications are highly valued and would set a candidate apart by demonstrating a verified proficiency in resource management and energy auditing.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your technical expertise in utility systems and data analytics. Instead of just listing responsibilities, provide specific examples of how you have identified and quantified energy or water savings in a manufacturing setting. Demonstrating that you can calculate theoretical performance versus actual results will show the hiring team that you possess the analytical rigor required for this role. Additionally, highlight any experience you have with change management. Saputo is looking for a specialist who can 'rally the troops' around environmental goals. Showcasing your ability to translate complex environmental data into a compelling business case for plant managers will demonstrate that you have the strategic mindset needed to drive facility-wide impact.

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

This role is primarily focused on the environmental pillar of ESG, with a heavy emphasis on resource circularity and efficiency. You will be the primary driver for reducing the facility's footprint in energy, water, and waste. In a dairy context, this often involves managing high-strength wastewater and optimizing the massive thermal energy requirements of pasteurization and drying processes. Additionally, you will focus on operational compliance, ensuring that the company’s growth does not come at the expense of local ecosystem health. By implementing the corporate Environmental Management System locally, you help the company maintain its social license to operate and ensure that global sustainability commitments are achieved through local action.

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

One of the primary challenges will be balancing compliance requirements with ambitious sustainability improvement projects. While regulatory adherence is non-negotiable, the role requires you to go beyond the status quo to find innovative ways to save resources. You may encounter resistance from operations teams focused on production quotas, requiring you to diplomatically prove the value of sustainable changes. Managing two different sites—Delhi, NY and Newington, CT—also introduces the challenge of geographic split and travel. You will need to maintain consistent standards and relationships across both locations, ensuring that the EMS is implemented with the same level of rigor despite potential differences in facility age, equipment, and local site culture.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of environmental KPIs from the previous 24 hours to ensure utility systems are running efficiently. You might spend the morning on the production floor, collaborating with the maintenance and engineering teams to troubleshoot a piece of equipment that is consuming more water than expected or reviewing a new process drawing for a planned equipment upgrade. In the afternoon, your focus might shift to stakeholder engagement and reporting. This could involve meeting with plant leadership to present progress on energy reduction targets or drafting a compliance report for a regulatory agency. The role is highly dynamic, blending technical fieldwork with strategic office tasks and frequent communication with various departments across the facility.

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

Success in this role can lead to regional or global sustainability leadership positions within Saputo’s extensive corporate structure. As you demonstrate the ability to drive measurable savings and compliance at the facility level, you could be tapped for larger-scale strategic roles that oversee environmental performance across multiple business units or countries. There is also significant potential for technical specialization. By leveraging the company's focus on professional development, you could become a recognized expert in dairy-specific environmental management. The skills gained here in managing large-scale EMS and utility optimization are highly sought after in the increasingly regulated food and beverage industry.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Plant Operations and Maintenance teams, as they are the primary users of the systems you seek to optimize. Building trust with these teams is essential for the successful implementation of resource-saving measures. You will also report regularly to the Plant Manager and the corporate sustainability department, aligning site-level activities with broader company goals. Externally, you will be the point of contact for regulatory agencies and auditors, representing Saputo during site inspections. You may also engage with community stakeholders and customers who have high expectations for the environmental standards of the dairy products they purchase, making you a key guardian of the company’s reputation.

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.