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U.S. Sustainability Director

WE Soda USA United States Added on Sep 15, 2026
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As the U.S. Sustainability Director, you will take full ownership of the environmental and social roadmap across American operations. Your focus will be translating global corporate goals into site-specific actions at mining and processing facilities in Wyoming. This involves moving beyond simple compliance to manage carbon reduction strategies, water stewardship, and the complex governance required for international mining certifications.

This role is critical because soda ash is a foundational component for the energy transition, particularly in solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. By leading the sustainability transformation in these extraction sites, you directly influence the footprint of the global clean-tech supply chain. You will be responsible for ensuring that high-intensity industrial processes meet rigorous environmental standards like IRMA, securing a responsible future for natural resource management.

This suits someone who possesses deep experience in heavy industry or mining and enjoys the challenge of bridging the gap between high-level strategy and on-the-ground operational reality.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The U.S. Sustainability Director acts as the primary architect for domestic ESG activities. You will lead the deployment of a regional sustainability roadmap, ensuring that global group objectives are adapted to the local context of Wyoming's mining landscape. This includes managing carbon, water, and waste reduction strategies while overseeing rigorous governance and reporting frameworks like TCFD and TNFD. Beyond strategy, the role involves operational oversight of environmental performance. You will own the beyond-compliance agenda, focusing on nature protection, tailings safety, and biodiversity. You will also coordinate site-based environmental and social impact assessments to ensure all operations meet the company's high sustainability standards.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This position offers a unique chance to master the IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) standard, which is becoming the gold standard for transparency in the extractive industries. You will gain hands-on experience in complex data governance and the digitization of ESG metrics within a global corporate structure. Furthermore, you will be at the forefront of the circular economy and clean-tech supply chain. You will learn how a critical raw material producer navigates the transition toward net-zero mining and how to implement ISO 14001 and 45001 management systems at scale in a heavy industrial setting.

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

The ideal candidate brings a B.S. in environmental science or engineering, coupled with senior-level leadership experience in chemicals, mining, or heavy manufacturing. You must have a track record of translating corporate theory into industrial practice, showing how sustainability can coexist with high-volume production. Technical proficiency in frameworks such as EcoVadis, CDP, and Sustainalytics is essential. However, soft skills are just as vital; you need the stakeholder management prowess to influence site managers in Wyoming while reporting effectively to a global headquarters in London.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to handle industrial-scale sustainability challenges. Generic ESG experience in finance or retail won't carry as much weight as a proven history of managing environmental impacts in high-intensity sectors like mining or manufacturing. Showcase your familiarity with land use, water rights, and biodiversity in a North American context. Demonstrate that you are comfortable with the dual nature of the role: part strategic visionary and part operational problem-solver who isn't afraid to spend time at the facility level.

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

The role centers on the environmental footprint of mining. Specifically, you will focus on carbon reduction roadmaps, water efficiency in arid regions, and the long-term stewardship of trona mining sites. This includes nature protection and the highly specialized field of tailings safety. Social governance is also a major pillar. You will lead stakeholder engagement with local communities and regulators, ensuring that the company's growth aligns with the social and economic health of the Green River region.

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

A primary challenge will be bridging global strategy with local execution. You will need to make high-level ESG goals from a London-based HQ resonate with a workforce and leadership team deeply rooted in traditional Wyoming mining operations. Additionally, navigating the complex regulatory environment of U.S. water rights and land easements while simultaneously pursuing international certifications like IRMA requires significant regulatory and technical agility.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of GHG emissions data from the Westvaco facility followed by a meeting with the engineering team to discuss water stewardship technology. You could spend the afternoon drafting a regional ESG disclosure or preparing a dashboard for the country leadership team. Engagement is a constant theme. You might find yourself negotiating an easement with a local landowner or coordinating with government affairs on emerging climate regulations. Periodic travel between the various site locations ensures you remain connected to the operational pulse of the company.

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

As the senior sustainability lead for the U.S. arm of the world's largest soda ash producer, this role offers high visibility. Success here could lead to global leadership roles within the WE Soda group or executive positions overseeing broader corporate affairs and ESG. Given the company's recent expansion and the increasing importance of soda ash in the green economy, you will be positioned as a key strategic advisor, potentially taking on larger roles in business development or operational strategy as the U.S. footprint continues to evolve.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the U.S. leadership team, site operations managers, and the engineering, energy, and water departments. You will also collaborate closely with the Group Sustainability team at the headquarters level to ensure global alignment. Externally, you will interact with local regulators, NGOs, and academic institutions. You will also serve as a bridge to community stakeholders and landowners, acting as the face of the company’s environmental and social commitments in Wyoming.

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