ESG Strategy & Portfolio Manager

Vanderlande has a strong ambition to become a truly sustainable company. Sustainability is anchored in all our departments and plays an increasing role in many of our daily business practices. The Global Sustainability Office (GSO) is the team accountable for the sustainability strategy & transformation in Vanderlande with the goal to embed sustainability in all our business units and daily practices. As an advisory team with deep expertise, we collaborate with many colleagues within the organization across the globe.

After almost 3 years on the journey, we are currently reshaping our global sustainability strategy. Our strategy is centered around our material themes: zero carbon, circularity, improve well-being, and good business. By setting clear targets in the short- and long-term, we are implementing portfolio management to closely monitor and steer the progress of our initiatives across the organization.

That is why we are looking for an ESG Strategy & Portfolio manager to strengthen our team. In this role, you will partner with & report to the Head of Corporate Sustainability.

What will you be doing?

You are pivotal in leading the way & realizing Vanderlande’s sustainable future. You are responsible for aligning our sustainability strategy in a constantly changing world, defining the optimal mix between external trends and business/customer needs. At the same time, you manage strategy execution to ensure we live up to our promise in close collaboration with GSO and other internal community colleagues. You have the “helicopter view” and monitor the sustainability heartbeat via the portfolio. You act as a sustainability ambassador in the company, actively engaged with both internal stakeholders and external network.

Your key responsibilities:

Strategy development & evaluation. Our objective is to be a sustainable partner for our customers and suppliers. As we mature with our ecosystem, this requires us to regularly evaluate our market position & priorities. You bridge market trends with business needs and lead the process in close collaboration with stakeholders in the various business units. This covers our short-term and long-term roadmap.

Drive strategy execution & business performance. Our objective is to make sustainability more tangible. You drive the ESG agenda and further mature & manage our portfolio by measuring progress, delivery, and impact. You bring focus and steer the organization to execute initiatives that contribute to achieving our goals. You are responsible for continuous improvement e.g., by automation, standardized (internal) reporting or improved processes.

Change management. Our objective is to integrate sustainability in our ways of working. You own the change approach and take this to the next level by further shaping & implementing a structured, plan-based approach. You manage change & regularly measure progress (within Vanderlande, we use Prosci ADKAR as a methodology).

Thought leadership, capability building & partnerships. Linked to our objective to integrate sustainability into our daily practices, you have a plan-based approach to increase knowledge levels across the organization. You enable knowledge and good practice exchange amongst others. You build bridges across domains and business units. You explore and engage in external partnerships and work closely with colleagues across the company, especially GSO and leaders of the business units.

You work closely with colleagues responsible for execution and project management in GSO and the business units. Where Finance leads the ESG reporting and compliance process, you oversee business performance serving as input for non-financial reporting. You are responsible for high-quality ESG data with the ESG Analytics Consultant, part of GSO, who work closely with various data owners on availability, correctness, and data quality.

What do we expect from you?

Deep ESG expertise to inspire the organization including knowledge of various ESG reporting frameworks (e.g., CSRD, ISSB, GRI) and disclosure requirements. You have a Master's Degree and 7+ years' experience in sustainability.

Proven program & portfolio management skills (experience with Jira and background in consultancy is a pre)

Leadership skills. You are pro-active, feel confident in setting direction, and effective in leading (leaders) in the organization.

Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills. Ability to steer both cross-functionally and vertically within the organization.

Strong communication skills. Storytelling and effective, targeted communication for various levels in the organization.

A team player & collaborator. Build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among all domains, business units, and (management) levels, in an international setting.

Pragmatism & resilience. Ability to drive and enjoy the, sometimes bumpy, road to success.

Must have: Proven ESG expertise, Program and Portfolio management skills, change management experience, leadership skills (influencing and communication).

Good to have: Experience or certification in Prosci ADKAR, JIRA knowledge, consultancy background.

What we offer

In this challenging and responsible position, you will have the chance to make a significant contribution to industry-leading projects and be connected to our dedicated people and customers. We offer a position in an informal, international, and professional working environment with lots of scope for personal development. By joining our profitable and growing company you will be able to reach your goals and focus on your future.

• 40 vacation days (20 statutory days and a flexible budget worth 20 days).
• Flexible working hours.
• Possibility for a company lease car or similar allowance options.
• A hybrid workplace (40% working from home and 60% in the office).
• A Health & Wellbeing budget worth €300,- per calendar year.
• Commuting allowance, including full reimbursement of travel by public transport.
• Working from home allowance.
• Collective pension scheme and discount on additional health insurance.
• On-site company health centers with a gym, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.
• Vanderlande Academy and training facilities to boost your skills.
• Variety in Vanderlande Network communities and initiatives.
• A great company restaurant and coffee bar with a barista.

For more information about the position, please contact astha.singh@vanderlande.com.

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.