As the Global Environmental Manager, you will take full ownership of the environmental pillar within a rapidly expanding medical technology firm. Your primary focus is to translate high-level sustainability goals into concrete operational actions across international manufacturing sites. You will lead the creation of a group-wide climate transition plan, ensuring that technical decarbonization efforts are both scientifically rigorous and practically integrated into the factory floor.
In the medical device industry, balancing sterile, high-precision manufacturing with ambitious SBTi-approved targets is a significant technical challenge. By joining the Group Sustainability function, you will directly influence how life-saving autoinjectors are produced, moving the needle on waste reduction and water stewardship in a sector where product safety and environmental impact must coexist. Your work ensures that patient care does not come at the cost of planetary health.
This suits someone who pairs a deep technical background in greenhouse gas accounting with the executive presence needed to influence senior leadership. You should thrive in a multicultural manufacturing environment where pragmatism and strategy meet.
Perguntas frequentes da vaga
What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?
The Global Environmental Manager is responsible for the strategic design and operational execution of the company's environmental agenda. You will lead the development of a comprehensive climate transition plan, specifically focusing on reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to meet SBTi-approved science-based targets.
Beyond carbon, your remit includes overseeing global policies for waste reduction, water stewardship, and biodiversity conservation. You will be the technical lead for environmental management systems like ISO 14001, ensuring that all global facilities operate under consistent, high-standard environmental protocols.
You will also manage the data-driven side of sustainability, ensuring that corporate carbon accounting is accurate and transparent. This involves preparing technical data for external disclosures such as CDP and the annual sustainability report, providing the leadership team with actionable insights based on performance metrics.
Key learning opportunities for this job
In this role, you will gain deep exposure to the complexities of decarbonizing a global medical device supply chain. Understanding how to manage Scope 3 emissions in a highly regulated industry offers a unique professional vantage point that few other sectors can provide.
You will also have the opportunity to work closely with the SBTi and TCFD frameworks in a real-world manufacturing context, refining your skills in climate risk disclosure and transition planning. The global nature of the role ensures exposure to varying environmental regulations across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Additionally, you will likely benefit from being part of a centralized Group Sustainability function, allowing for mentorship from the Group Head of Sustainability and peer learning from social impact and ESG reporting specialists within the team.
How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?
The ideal candidate is a seasoned environmental professional with at least 10 years of experience, particularly within a global manufacturing context. A university degree in environmental engineering or a related technical field is essential to handle the scientific rigor required for GHG accounting.
You should possess a pragmatic, hands-on mindset. While this is a strategic role, the company values leaders who understand the realities of factory operations, emission reduction projects, and waste management on the ground. A proven track record with ISO 14001 is highly valued.
Communication skills are paramount. You must be able to translate complex climate science into business value for senior executives while maintaining the technical credibility to lead engineers and site managers through operational changes.
Advice to stand out and make a successful application
To stand out, your application should demonstrate a clear link between technical environmental metrics and business strategy. Don't just list your knowledge of ISO standards; explain how you used those standards to drive measurable reductions in emissions or waste in a previous manufacturing setting.
Since SHL Medical is a purpose-driven organization in the healthcare space, your motivation letter should reflect an understanding of the intersection between medical technology and sustainability. Highlighting experience with global supply chains or international site management will also give you a significant advantage.
Finally, emphasize your ability to work independently and cross-functionally. The role requires a self-starter who can navigate a multicultural organization and influence stakeholders without direct reporting lines, so providing examples of successful collaborative projects is key.
What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?
The role focuses heavily on the environmental pillar of ESG, specifically the technical roadmap toward net-zero. This includes energy efficiency projects at manufacturing sites to tackle Scope 1 and 2, and deep supplier engagement to address the more challenging Scope 3 emissions.
There is also a strong focus on circularity and resource management. Given the nature of medical devices, waste reduction and plastic management are likely high priorities, alongside water stewardship in production processes.
Finally, the role ensures the company stays ahead of evolving climate regulations. You will be the guardian of environmental compliance, ensuring that the company’s growth remains within planetary boundaries and aligned with international frameworks like the TCFD.
What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?
One of the primary challenges will be balancing regulatory compliance in healthcare with environmental innovation. Medical devices are subject to strict safety and quality standards, which can sometimes make material changes or process adjustments for sustainability more complex.
Managing Scope 3 emissions across a global supply chain is another significant hurdle. Influencing external partners and suppliers to adopt greener practices requires persistence, strong data, and effective negotiation skills.
Additionally, you may face the challenge of standardizing environmental practices across diverse geographical locations with varying levels of infrastructure and local regulations. Ensuring a consistent global approach while respecting local operational realities requires high cultural intelligence and flexibility.
How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?
A typical day might begin with a review of environmental performance data from manufacturing sites in Asia or North America, followed by a meeting with the Group Head of Sustainability to align on strategic priorities.
You might spend the afternoon collaborating with site managers to troubleshoot a specific waste reduction initiative or providing technical guidance on a renewable energy procurement project. There is a strong element of project management and data verification involved.
The day often concludes with stakeholder engagement, which could involve preparing a briefing for senior leadership on upcoming climate regulations or coordinating with the reporting team to ensure carbon data is ready for an external audit.
What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?
This role offers a clear path toward senior sustainability leadership. As the company continues to grow, the environmental function will likely expand, potentially leading to a role such as Director of Global Environmental Strategy or a broader ESG leadership position.
Because you will be working at a group level with high visibility, you will have the chance to lead high-impact, global projects that are recognized at the executive level. This exposure is excellent for career progression into strategic corporate roles.
You also have the opportunity to become a subject matter expert in sustainable med-tech, a niche but rapidly growing field. The skills gained here in climate transition planning and global environmental management are highly transferable and in high demand.
The main stakeholders you might be interacting with
Your most frequent interactions will be with the Group Head of Sustainability and the wider sustainability team, where you will collaborate on the overall ESG roadmap.
Externally, you will engage with suppliers and partners to drive Scope 3 reductions, as well as regulatory bodies and certification agencies for ISO 14001 and SBTi compliance.
Internally, you will work closely with Site Managers, Operations Leads, and Engineers across the globe to implement environmental policies. You will also interact with the executive leadership team to report on progress and secure buy-in for major environmental investments.
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