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Sustainability Manager

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. • United States • Added on Sep 30, 2026
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This role centers on translating sustainability data into operational reality for a massive equipment rental fleet. You will take ownership of the company’s carbon accounting processes while simultaneously serving as a bridge between internal technical teams and external customers. Your work involves identifying emerging green technologies and integrating them into a national business model that services everything from major construction sites to local projects.

The impact here is significant because equipment rental is a cornerstone of the circular economy. By driving fleet electrification and renewable fuel procurement, you are not just decarbonizing a single company, but helping thousands of contractors and builders reduce their own project-based footprints. This position turns ESG metrics into tangible low-emission rental solutions that directly influence the environmental impact of the broader construction industry.

This suits someone who possesses a strong analytical background in greenhouse gas accounting but thrives in a collaborative, customer-facing environment. You should be comfortable navigating an evolving regulatory environment while building business cases that prove the commercial value of sustainable transitions.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a Sustainability Manager, your primary focus is to bridge the gap between ESG data and operational execution. You will be responsible for overseeing the collection and analysis of Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions data, ensuring that the company’s carbon footprint is accurately mapped and reported to frameworks like CDP and EcoVadis. Beyond data, you will actively identify and scale operational sustainability initiatives, such as building efficiency programs and the procurement of renewable energy or alternative fuels. You will also play a key role in customer engagement, showing how the company’s equipment solutions can help strategic partners meet their own green targets. Finally, you will lead cross-functional projects that align different departments, from marketing to fleet management, around unified sustainability goals. This involves creating compelling business cases for new green investments and ensuring that the company remains compliant with emerging environmental regulations.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep expertise in large-scale fleet decarbonization and the nuances of the equipment rental industry's circular economy. You will work closely with greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting protocols and various international reporting frameworks, providing a masterclass in corporate transparency and disclosure. Furthermore, you will be at the forefront of emerging green technology assessment, learning to evaluate the commercial and environmental viability of electric equipment and renewable fuels. The position offers a unique chance to develop 'executive storytelling' skills, learning how to present complex environmental data as actionable business intelligence for senior leadership.

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

The ideal candidate brings at least four years of experience in sustainability or environmental data roles, underpinned by a Master’s degree in a relevant field like Environmental Science or Business. You must be highly proficient in GHG Protocol methodologies and have a proven track record with disclosures such as CDP or EcoVadis. Analytical prowess is essential, particularly with tools like Excel, PowerBI, or SQL, as you will be managing large datasets to drive decision-making. However, soft skills are equally important; we look for someone who can simplify technical concepts for non-expert stakeholders and collaborate effectively across a decentralized, multi-site national organization.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability passion and demonstrate specific knowledge of the construction or rental sector. Highlight your experience in operationalizing sustainability rather than just reporting on it, mention specific instances where you turned data into a pilot program or a new procurement strategy. Tailor your application to show you understand the commercial side of ESG. If you have experience building business cases for green investments that include ROI and operational impact assessments, make sure that is front and center. Showing that you can speak the language of both a scientist and a business manager will be your greatest advantage.

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

The role focuses heavily on fleet and facility decarbonization. Given the nature of the business, Scope 1 and 3 emissions related to heavy equipment and logistics are central. You will likely work on transitioning the fleet toward electric and hybrid models and promoting renewable fuel alternatives to traditional diesel. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on circularity and customer enablement. By improving the sustainability profile of the rental fleet, the role helps customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions. You will also manage the governance side, ensuring that the company’s social and environmental performance is accurately reflected in global ratings.

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

One of the primary challenges will be data collection across a massive, decentralized network of locations and diverse equipment types. Ensuring data integrity for Scope 3 emissions in a complex supply chain requires significant persistence and technical organization. You may also face the challenge of balancing immediate operational costs with long-term sustainability investments. Navigating an 'unstructured or evolving environment' means you will need to be comfortable with ambiguity and proactive in defining processes where none currently exist.

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

A typical day might begin with analyzing energy usage data or refining a carbon inventory model in Excel or PowerBI. You might then shift to a cross-functional meeting with the fleet team to discuss the progress of an electric vehicle pilot program or the rollout of renewable fuels at specific branches. Your afternoon could involve drafting responses for a strategic customer’s ESG survey or creating a presentation for executive leadership on emerging regulatory trends. The day often concludes with stakeholder outreach, perhaps providing guidance to the marketing team on how to accurately communicate the environmental benefits of a new equipment line.

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

This position offers significant visibility, placing you at the heart of the company’s strategic evolution. Success here could lead to senior leadership roles within the ESG department or specialized roles in sustainable procurement and operational strategy. As the company continues to expand its green rental solutions, you could become a subject matter expert in clean-tech equipment, a high-demand niche. The role’s cross-functional nature also provides a pathway into broader operational management or corporate strategy for those who demonstrate a strong grasp of the business’s commercial drivers.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Sustainability Reporting Lead and various internal department heads, particularly in Fleet Management, Operations, and Marketing. These relationships are vital for implementing new initiatives and ensuring data flow. Externally, you will engage with Strategic and National Customers, helping them understand how rental solutions fit into their ESG journeys. You will also manage relationships with NGOs, government bodies, and rating agencies like CDP and EcoVadis during the disclosure and reporting cycles.

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