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Group Sustainability Manager

What's Cooking Rennes SAS • Belgium • Added on Jun 25, 2026
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As the Group Sustainability Manager, you will take the lead in defining and executing the long-term ESG strategy for an international food group. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will own the transition from high-level ambitions into operational reality by setting clear KPIs and ensuring full compliance with upcoming European reporting frameworks. Your work involves orchestrating complex projects across multiple production sites to drive measurable progress in decarbonization and resource efficiency.

This role is crucial because the food industry sits at the heart of the global ecological transition. By integrating sustainability into the core business of What’s Cooking?, you are directly influencing the environmental footprint of daily meals for millions of consumers. You will transform sustainable sourcing and animal welfare from corporate goals into supply chain standards, ensuring the group meets its SBTi commitments while remaining a competitive leader in the fresh food market.

This suits someone who is a strategic thinker with a hands-on mentality, capable of translating technical ESG data into a compelling narrative that inspires both board members and factory floor teams in a multi-lingual environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Group Sustainability Manager is tasked with the comprehensive oversight of the organization's ESG performance across all European sites. You will design the group-wide strategy and break it down into actionable workstreams for departments such as procurement, operations, and logistics to ensure alignment with corporate targets. You will have deep accountability for reporting and compliance, managing the transition to CSRD-aligned reporting structures. This requires a meticulous approach to data as you set and monitor the KPIs that provide visibility to the executive board and external investors regarding carbon reduction and resource efficiency.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an exceptional platform to become an expert in CSRD and SBTi frameworks within a complex industrial environment. You will gain technical experience using specialized ESG data tools, positioning you at the forefront of digital sustainability transformation. You will also develop a nuanced understanding of the food value chain, from agricultural sourcing to energy-intensive manufacturing. Working across different European sites provides exposure to diverse regulatory landscapes and operational practices, honing your ability to manage international sustainability transitions.

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

The ideal candidate brings significant experience in ESG management, preferably within the manufacturing or food sectors. You should hold a Master’s degree and possess a strong technical grasp of carbon accounting standards and European reporting regulations. Equally important are your interpersonal and communication skills. Since you must work across various European locations and report to the CFO, you need to be a bridge-builder who can explain complex sustainability concepts to different stakeholders. Fluency in English and French is required, with Dutch being a significant advantage.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to execute rather than just theorize. Use your application to highlight specific instances where you translated a corporate policy into a tangible operational change, such as a successful waste reduction project or the implementation of a new sourcing standard. Research the group's specific sustainability commitments and mention how your background aligns with their focus on animal welfare and decarbonization. Showing that you understand the pragmatic challenges of balancing food production efficiency with environmental goals will make your application much more successful.

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

The role focuses heavily on the environmental impact of food production, including managing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. There is a strong emphasis on decarbonizing supply chains and improving energy efficiency in industrial plants to meet Science Based Targets. On the governance side, there is a major focus on reporting and compliance. As the group moves towards CSRD alignment, establishing rigorous data controls and transparent reporting cycles will be a primary focus area. Social aspects, such as animal welfare in the supply chain, round out the mission.

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

One of the primary challenges will be driving consistency across multiple sites in different countries. Each facility may have different operational priorities, and your task will be to ensure sustainability remains a top priority without disrupting production efficiency. You might also face hurdles related to data collection and quality across a complex supply chain. Balancing the strategic requirements of the CFO with the practical needs of the factory floor requires significant resilience and diplomatic skill to ensure long-term buy-in.

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

A typical day might begin with a review of ESG data to track progress against quarterly CO2 targets. This could be followed by a meeting with the procurement team to discuss sustainable sourcing criteria for raw materials or animal welfare standards in the supply chain. In the afternoon, you might shift to a strategic session with the CFO or site managers to discuss the implementation of a new energy-reduction project at one of the production plants. Your day will frequently involve a mix of high-level reporting preparation and practical problem-solving with local operational teams.

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

This is a high-visibility leadership role reporting directly to the CFO, offering a clear path toward executive sustainability positions. Success in this role could lead to becoming a Chief Sustainability Officer as the company continues to integrate ESG into its core business model. There are also opportunities for professional development through high-impact group-wide projects and the chance to represent the company in international sustainability networks. You will be at the heart of the group's innovation journey, providing a platform to influence the future of food manufacturing in Europe.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Your most frequent interactions will be with the CFO and the executive leadership, providing them with the insights needed for strategic decision-making. You will also work closely with Site Managers and department heads across the industrial plants to implement operational changes. Externally, you will act as a representative to suppliers and regulatory bodies. You will collaborate with procurement teams to engage suppliers on sustainability targets and represent the group in industry forums focused on carbon reduction and industry best practices.

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