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Chief Sustainability Officer

Paulo Duarte • Portugal • Added on Jul 9, 2026
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This executive position involves leading the integrated management systems and ESG strategy for a major road transport group across the Iberian Peninsula. You will take full ownership of the decarbonization roadmap, ensuring that rigorous quality standards like ISO and SQAS are harmonized across newly acquired entities while steering the group toward its ambitious emission reduction targets.

In the carbon-intensive trucking industry, your work represents the front line of environmental transition. By managing a fleet of over 1,600 vehicles and aligning supply chain partners with CSRD standards, you turn operational efficiency into a tangible climate contribution. This role is critical for a company utilizing green gas and Euro 6 technologies to redefine sustainable logistics.

This suits someone who possesses over a decade of experience in industrial quality and environmental management, combining a deep technical understanding of fleet decarbonization with the executive presence needed to influence boardroom decisions and lead a large-scale corporate expansion.

Perguntas frequentes da vaga

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As the Chief Sustainability Officer, you will be the primary architect of the Group’s ESG and Quality strategy. You are responsible for maintaining and evolving a robust Integrated Management System covering ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 39001, alongside specialized logistics certifications like SQAS and HACCP. Beyond compliance, your mission involves executing a clear decarbonization path to slash Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2032. This includes spearheading the Group Sustainability Report in accordance with CSRD and ESRS frameworks, ensuring double materiality is at the heart of corporate reporting.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to lead a large-scale industrial energy transition within the logistics sector. You will gain deep expertise in the practical application of alternative fuels and fleet carbon-reduction technologies in a high-growth Iberian context. You will also master the complexities of M&A sustainability integration, learning how to harmonize diverse corporate cultures and operational standards into a unified ESG framework during intense periods of geographic expansion and company acquisition.

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

The ideal candidate brings over 10 years of professional experience in Quality, Environment, and Sustainability, with a proven track record in a directorial capacity. A background in heavy industry, logistics, or energy is essential to understand the technical nuances of transport emissions. You must be fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish to manage the Iberian scope effectively. Technical proficiency in CSRD/GRI reporting and a deep familiarity with ISO standards are non-negotiable, while specialized knowledge of fleet electrification or gas-powered heavy vehicles will set you apart.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on your ability to combine technical QHSE expertise with high-level corporate strategy. Since the group is in an expansion phase, highlight any experience you have with post-merger integration or scaling sustainability frameworks across different regions. Demonstrate your familiarity with the specific challenges of the transport sector, such as the tension between operational growth and emission reduction. Practical examples of how you have engaged supply chain partners—like energy or tire providers—in ESG goals will be highly valued by the Executive Committee.

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

The primary focus is decarbonization of the road fleet. This involves moving beyond standard Euro 6 compliance toward more aggressive green energy adoption and hardware efficiency to meet the 2032 public emission commitment. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on regulatory governance and transparency. You will be responsible for bringing the company into full alignment with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), moving sustainability from a technical 'quality' function to a core strategic pillar.

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

The most significant challenge will be managing emissions during a period of growth. As the group acquires new companies, maintaining a downward trend in total carbon output while increasing fleet size requires exceptional strategic planning and technological investment. You may also face the difficulty of harmonizing standards across diverse business units and marks in both Portugal and Spain. Ensuring that new acquisitions quickly adopt the Group’s rigorous ISO and ESG reporting criteria will require strong leadership and cross-functional influence.

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

Your morning might involve a strategic review with the Executive Commission to discuss the progress of the 2032 decarbonization targets. This could be followed by a meeting with operations managers to evaluate the performance of gas-powered vehicles or upcoming ISO audit cycles. Afternoons are often dedicated to external stakeholder engagement, such as meeting with key logistics clients to discuss their Scope 3 requirements or coordinating with legal and finance teams on the double materiality analysis for the upcoming Sustainability Report.

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

As a C-suite role reporting directly to the Executive Commission, this position offers the highest level of strategic influence within the organization. You will be at the forefront of the company’s evolution from a traditional carrier to a modern, ESG-driven logistics leader. Success in this role could lead to broader operational or pan-Iberian leadership responsibilities. Given the group's trajectory of acquisitions, there is significant room to build a large, multi-disciplinary team and establish yourself as a leading authority in sustainable transport across Southern Europe.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact extensively with the Executive Commission and Board to align sustainability with financial and operational goals. Internally, you will partner with Fleet Managers and Operations Directors to implement technical changes on the ground. Externally, your network will include institutional stakeholders like certification bodies and industry associations, as well as high-value clients and strategic suppliers in the energy, automotive, and tire industries who are essential to your ESG value chain.

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