Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves the stewardship of ESG data across the entire enterprise. You will act as a guardian of data quality, ensuring that every metric collected from global sites is consistent, verified, and ready for inclusion in the annual report. This includes supporting external audits and managing the documentation required for third-party verification. Beyond data hygiene, you will be responsible for coordinating sustainability disclosures . You will help prepare responses to ESG rating agencies and customer inquiries, ensuring that Umicore’s sustainability performance is accurately reflected in various external benchmarks and regulatory filings. Finally, you will contribute to process improvement . This means identifying bottlenecks in how information is gathered and suggesting ways to automate or refine data collection to better align with evolving CSRD or other international reporting standards.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

A candidate in this role will gain deep expertise in ESG regulatory frameworks , particularly the evolving landscape of European reporting requirements. You will learn how a global industrial group translates complex environmental activities into standardized metrics that are readable by financial markets. Technical skill development is a major highlight, specifically in using Power BI and Excel to handle large, multi-dimensional datasets. You will also gain exposure to the audit process, learning how to prepare 'audit-ready' data and navigate the rigorous requirements of independent sustainability assurance. Furthermore, you will develop a holistic understanding of the circular economy . By working at the heart of Umicore’s operations, you will see firsthand how carbon-free mobility and materials recycling strategies are measured and managed at a global scale.

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

This role sits at the intersection of decarbonization and circularity . You will be reporting on how Umicore reduces vehicle emissions and recovers precious metals, directly feeding into the company's goal of leading the carbon-neutral mobility transition. There is a strong focus on governance and transparency . By managing the data flows for ESG questionnaires and audits, you ensure that the company remains accountable to its 'Let's Go for Zero' ambitions, covering themes from net-zero greenhouse gas emissions to employee safety metrics.

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

One of the chief challenges will be stakeholder coordination . Gathering high-quality data from diverse global sites and departments requires persistence and diplomacy, as sustainability might not always be the primary focus of the colleagues you are contacting. Adapting to the rapidly changing regulatory landscape can also be demanding. Keeping up with new reporting standards while maintaining the day-to-day operations of current data flows requires high mental agility and a commitment to continuous learning. Finally, the role involves a significant amount of recurring deadlines . During the annual reporting season, the pressure to deliver error-free work within tight timeframes can be intense, requiring excellent organizational skills and stress management.

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

A typical day might begin with validating incoming ESG metrics from various business units, checking for anomalies or missing values in the central database. You might spend time creating or updating dashboards to visualize performance trends for internal management reviews. Mid-day, you could be in meetings with external auditors or responding to a detailed ESG questionnaire from a major automotive customer. This requires cross-checking data and ensuring that the evidence provided matches the company's official disclosures. The afternoon might be spent on benchmarking research or identifying ways to improve the data collection process for the next reporting cycle. You will likely interact with colleagues from IT, Finance, and Operations to ensure that the reporting infrastructure remains robust and efficient.

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

Growth in this role often leads toward a Senior ESG Analyst or Reporting Manager position. As you master the data side, you could take on more strategic responsibilities, such as setting future sustainability targets or shaping the company's global ESG strategy. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into specialized environmental departments, supply chain sustainability, or corporate finance, given the high visibility of ESG data across the company's leadership. Because this role involves working with global teams, you will build a wide network within Umicore. Excelling here can open doors to international assignments or high-impact projects centered on business transformation and the implementation of new ESG software solutions.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Global Sustainability Team to align on reporting standards and organizational goals. They will be your primary partners in defining what data needs to be captured and how it should be presented. External stakeholders include auditors and ESG rating agencies (such as EcoVadis or MSCI). You will be their point of contact for verifying the accuracy of Umicore's disclosures and ensuring compliance with external frameworks. Internally, you will collaborate with business unit managers and site leads across the globe. Your mission is to support them in providing the necessary data while helping them understand the importance of quality reporting for the company’s overall reputation.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary mission involves the stewardship of ESG data across the entire enterprise. You will act as a guardian of data quality, ensuring that every metric collected from global sites is consistent, verified, and ready for inclusion in the annual report. This includes supporting external audits and managing the documentation required for third-party verification. Beyond data hygiene, you will be responsible for coordinating sustainability disclosures. You will help prepare responses to ESG rating agencies and customer inquiries, ensuring that Umicore’s sustainability performance is accurately reflected in various external benchmarks and regulatory filings. Finally, you will contribute to process improvement. This means identifying bottlenecks in how information is gathered and suggesting ways to automate or refine data collection to better align with evolving CSRD or other international reporting standards.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

A candidate in this role will gain deep expertise in ESG regulatory frameworks, particularly the evolving landscape of European reporting requirements. You will learn how a global industrial group translates complex environmental activities into standardized metrics that are readable by financial markets. Technical skill development is a major highlight, specifically in using Power BI and Excel to handle large, multi-dimensional datasets. You will also gain exposure to the audit process, learning how to prepare 'audit-ready' data and navigate the rigorous requirements of independent sustainability assurance. Furthermore, you will develop a holistic understanding of the circular economy. By working at the heart of Umicore’s operations, you will see firsthand how carbon-free mobility and materials recycling strategies are measured and managed at a global scale.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate typically has a foundational background in business management or environmental studies, paired with strong analytical capabilities. Previous experience in a data-driven role or an internship focused on sustainability reporting is highly valued, as it demonstrates an understanding of how to handle structured information. Technical proficiency is non-negotiable, particularly advanced Excel skills. If you have experience with business intelligence tools like Power BI, you will be able to contribute more effectively to data visualization and reporting automation from day one. Soft skills are equally important; we look for a proactive team player who isn't afraid to reach out to different departments to hunt down missing information. You must be comfortable working against strict reporting cycles and maintaining a high level of accuracy under pressure.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, move beyond just listing your skills and demonstrate a logical mindset for data management. In your application, provide examples of how you have previously organized complex information or improved a process to ensure higher accuracy. Transparency and precision are key traits Umicore values. Research Umicore’s recent Annual Reports before applying. Mentioning specific ESG metrics they track or showing an awareness of their circular materials strategy will demonstrate that you have the 'sustainability curiosity' required for this specialist role. Align your profile with the company's mission of 'materials for a better life.' Show how your technical or analytical background can be a force for positive change in an industrial context, rather than just treating the role as a generic data entry position.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

This role sits at the intersection of decarbonization and circularity. You will be reporting on how Umicore reduces vehicle emissions and recovers precious metals, directly feeding into the company's goal of leading the carbon-neutral mobility transition. There is a strong focus on governance and transparency. By managing the data flows for ESG questionnaires and audits, you ensure that the company remains accountable to its 'Let's Go for Zero' ambitions, covering themes from net-zero greenhouse gas emissions to employee safety metrics.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One of the chief challenges will be stakeholder coordination. Gathering high-quality data from diverse global sites and departments requires persistence and diplomacy, as sustainability might not always be the primary focus of the colleagues you are contacting. Adapting to the rapidly changing regulatory landscape can also be demanding. Keeping up with new reporting standards while maintaining the day-to-day operations of current data flows requires high mental agility and a commitment to continuous learning. Finally, the role involves a significant amount of recurring deadlines. During the annual reporting season, the pressure to deliver error-free work within tight timeframes can be intense, requiring excellent organizational skills and stress management.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A typical day might begin with validating incoming ESG metrics from various business units, checking for anomalies or missing values in the central database. You might spend time creating or updating dashboards to visualize performance trends for internal management reviews. Mid-day, you could be in meetings with external auditors or responding to a detailed ESG questionnaire from a major automotive customer. This requires cross-checking data and ensuring that the evidence provided matches the company's official disclosures. The afternoon might be spent on benchmarking research or identifying ways to improve the data collection process for the next reporting cycle. You will likely interact with colleagues from IT, Finance, and Operations to ensure that the reporting infrastructure remains robust and efficient.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Growth in this role often leads toward a Senior ESG Analyst or Reporting Manager position. As you master the data side, you could take on more strategic responsibilities, such as setting future sustainability targets or shaping the company's global ESG strategy. There are also opportunities for lateral moves into specialized environmental departments, supply chain sustainability, or corporate finance, given the high visibility of ESG data across the company's leadership. Because this role involves working with global teams, you will build a wide network within Umicore. Excelling here can open doors to international assignments or high-impact projects centered on business transformation and the implementation of new ESG software solutions.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will frequently interact with the Global Sustainability Team to align on reporting standards and organizational goals. They will be your primary partners in defining what data needs to be captured and how it should be presented. External stakeholders include auditors and ESG rating agencies (such as EcoVadis or MSCI). You will be their point of contact for verifying the accuracy of Umicore's disclosures and ensuring compliance with external frameworks. Internally, you will collaborate with business unit managers and site leads across the globe. Your mission is to support them in providing the necessary data while helping them understand the importance of quality reporting for the company’s overall reputation.

ESG Operations Specialist

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