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Senior Manager, Sustainability

UPM • Finland • Added on Jun 19, 2026
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As the technical owner of the sustainability agenda for the Communication Paper business unit, you will bridge the gap between complex environmental data and commercial value. You will lead the development of product carbon footprints, oversee life cycle assessments, and ensure that mill-level operational data translates into credible, market-facing claims. This is a strategic role that moves sustainability from a compliance requirement to a core customer value proposition.

This role matters because it directly supports the transition to a circular bioeconomy by providing the rigorous evidence needed for renewable alternatives to replace fossil-based materials. By connecting forestry sourcing, industrial production, and client needs, you ensure transparency across the entire value chain while driving decarbonization in a high-impact manufacturing sector. Your work provides the quantitative proof that global brands need to meet their own ESG commitments.

This suits someone who possesses deep technical expertise in LCAs and carbon accounting but has the business acumen to explain these concepts to a sales director or a corporate client. You should be comfortable navigating large-scale industrial complexity while maintaining a focus on commercial impact.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Senior Manager will primarily own the technical sustainability agenda for the Communication Paper division, which involves building a robust data infrastructure for product-level claims. You will be responsible for leading Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and calculating product carbon footprints to provide customers with verifiable environmental data. Beyond data management, you will act as a strategic partner to the Operations and Sourcing teams. This involves ensuring that activities at the manufacturing mills align with global sustainability standards and customer requirements. You will also oversee compliance with evolving environmental regulations and voluntary certifications that are critical to the company's market access. Another core mission is commercial enablement. You will support sales and marketing teams by acting as the subject matter expert during high-level customer interactions. This includes developing customer-ready educational materials and representing the business as a thought leader in industry forums.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the integration of sustainability within a global matrix organization. You will learn how a major industrial player manages the transition from a traditional manufacturing model to a circular bioeconomy, specifically focusing on how decarbonization strategies are implemented at the factory level. You will also deepen your expertise in complex regulatory landscapes, specifically regarding Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and emerging EU-level product sustainability legislation. Working closely with R&D, you will have the chance to refine methodology for nature-related product attributes and biodiversity tracking. Furthermore, the role offers significant business transformation experience. You will learn how to quantify the ROI of sustainability initiatives and how to use environmental data as a competitive lever in B2B negotiations.

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

The ideal candidate should have at least 7 years of professional experience in environmental science, climate strategy, or sustainability management, preferably within an industrial or manufacturing context. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is expected, providing the academic foundation for understanding complex technical systems. Technical proficiency in LCA methodology and carbon accounting is non-negotiable. You must be comfortable with data modeling and have a sharp eye for detail to maintain the credibility of product claims. However, this technical skill must be balanced with strong communication abilities, as you will need to explain nuances of environmental science to non-experts. Personal attributes like proactivity and resilience are vital. Since you will be working across different countries and functions, the ability to build trust and influence stakeholders without direct authority is far more important than just having technical knowledge.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear bridge between technical data and business strategy. In your cover letter, tell a story about how you used environmental data to help a company win a contract or solve a specific stakeholder challenge. Showing that you understand sustainability as a value driver will align you with the company philosophy. Research the recent sustainability reports, specifically the focus on biodiversity and circularity in the paper industry. If you can reference the 'Future Beyond Fossils' strategy and mention how your specific expertise in carbon footprinting can accelerate that vision, you will demonstrate high engagement. During interviews, emphasize your stakeholder management style. This role is about connecting the dots between mill operations, R&D scientists, and global customers. Providing concrete examples of how you have simplified complex topics for senior leadership or bridged gaps between different departments will be highly persuasive.

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

This role sits at the intersection of decarbonization and product transparency. A significant focus will be on the 'Product Environmental Footprint,' ensuring that every ream of paper has a documented and verifiable climate impact. This facilitates the goal of helping customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions. You will also likely focus on circularity and resource efficiency. This involves working with mills to optimize raw material usage and waste management. You will help prove that renewable, forest-based materials are a superior environmental choice compared to fossil-based alternatives. Furthermore, nature impacts will be a growing focus. As the industry moves beyond just carbon, you will likely help develop methodologies to track and communicate how forest management and production processes impact local ecosystems, ensuring compliance with international nature-related reporting frameworks.

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

One of the primary challenges will be managing technical complexity across a global footprint. Different mills may have varying levels of data maturity, and harmonizing this into a single, credible product claim requires significant effort and internal diplomacy. You may also face the challenge of reconciling sustainability goals with commercial pressures. In the paper industry, margins can be tight, and you will need to convincingly argue that investments in LCA data or certifications provide enough customer value to justify them. Lastly, the rapidly evolving regulatory environment presents a constant challenge. Keeping up with new EU directives and reporting standards while ensuring the business unit remains compliant and ahead of the curve requires constant vigilance and the ability to pivot strategies quickly.

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

A typical day might begin with a technical deep dive into LCA data with the R&D team, reviewing the latest carbon footprint calculations for a specific product line to ensure methodology remains consistent. By midday, your focus might shift to a consultative role with the Sales team. You could be joining a call with a major global client to explain the environmental benefits of a specific paper grade or helping a salesperson respond to a complex sustainability tender. In the afternoon, you might switch to internal stakeholder engagement, meeting with mill managers to discuss how changes in energy sourcing or raw material inputs will affect the final product's footprint. Your day often ends with strategic planning regarding how upcoming regulations will impact the division’s long-term product roadmap.

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

This role is a high-visibility position within a core business area. Success here could lead to Global Director-level roles within Corporate Responsibility or leadership positions in other material science business units. Because you are working in a pioneering field—renewable materials—you will become an industry-recognized expert in the bioeconomy. This opens doors to leadership roles in sustainability strategy, climate policy, or circular economy consulting across Europe. Furthermore, the cross-functional nature of the job builds a versatile profile. You aren't just a technical expert; you are developing the commercial and strategic skills of a business leader. This makes you a strong candidate for general management roles where sustainability is a core part of the business model.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your closest collaborator will be the Director of Sustainability and the dedicated sustainability team within the business unit. Together, you set the division's environmental strategy and ensure it aligns with broader group targets. On the operational side, you will interact heavily with Mill Managers, Sourcing Experts, and R&D Teams. These are the people who provide the raw data and implement the changes necessary to improve environmental performance. Building strong relationships here is key to ensuring operational buy-in. Externally, your main stakeholders are Global Customers and Industry Bodies. You act as the bridge between the technical reality and the market’s expectations. You will also coordinate with certification bodies to ensure the business unit maintains its high ratings and compliant status.

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