Group Environmental Sustainability Manager

Acre; Breda; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cloetta, a leading European confectionery producer, is seeking a Group Environmental Manager to lead climate, water and waste initiatives across six production sites in NL, BE, SE, SK, IE. The role includes simplifying ISO 14001 and driving measurable reductions to meet the 2030 emissions target.

You will work closely with site management, build a prioritised climate roadmap, assess data quality using PCF/LCA, and embed environmental KPIs into operations while travelling to sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Experienced environmental or climate professional with a manufacturing background.
• Proven track record delivering change in production environments.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 14001 with ability to simplify complex systems.
• Working knowledge of Product Carbon Footprinting and/or LCA, including supplier data.
• Pragmatic approach to imperfect data and driving action.

Responsibilities

• Lead climate delivery across the manufacturing network with a clear roadmap to the 2030 target.
• Collaborate with plant managers to identify and implement emissions-reduction opportunities.
• Build a business case for climate investments, balancing quick wins with longer-term CapEx.
• Own ISO 14001 and environmental compliance, simplifying systems while maintaining standards.
• Review supplier emissions data and assess data quality and relevance (PCF/LCA).
• Drive performance across water and waste, including wastewater management.
• Embed environmental KPIs into site operations and engage manufacturing leadership.
• Support environmental risk assessment, reporting and CapEx input.

Skills

Emissions knowledge

ISO 14001

Influencing skills

PCF/LCA

Data pragmatism

Job description

Acre is delighted to be partnering with Cloetta in the search for a Group Environmental Manager.

Cloetta is a leading European confectionery business with six production sites across five countries. The business is continuing to invest in its environmental agenda and is looking for an experienced environmental professional to help accelerate climate action across its manufacturing network.

This is a hands-on, multi-site role with responsibility for climate, water and waste. The immediate priority is turning Cloetta's 2030 emissions target into measurable reductions on the ground, working directly with production sites to identify and deliver practical improvements.

The role

The Group Environmental Manager will own the Group's climate, water and waste agenda across six production sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Slovakia and Ireland.

Cloetta has a target to reduce emissions by 46% by 2030, but progress against the base year has been limited. The successful candidate will help create the step change required, while also simplifying the Group's ISO 14001 and environmental management systems to free capacity for climate delivery.

You will:

• Lead climate delivery across the manufacturing network, developing a clear and prioritised roadmap towards the 2030 emissions target.
• Work directly with plant managers and site teams to identify and implement emissions-reduction opportunities and drive measurable change.
• Build the business case for climate investment, balancing quick wins with longer-term CapEx requirements.
• Own and simplify ISO 14001 and environmental compliance, maintaining effective systems while significantly reducing the central resource required to manage them.
• Review supplier emissions data, using working knowledge of PCF and LCA to assess data quality and relevance.
• Drive performance across water and waste, including wastewater management at production sites.
• Embed environmental KPIs and accountability into site operations, working closely with manufacturing leadership.
• Support environmental risk assessment, reporting, training and environmental input into CapEx and Management of Change projects.

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of environmental performance across an international manufacturing business, with a clear mandate to accelerate climate delivery and create tangible change at site level.

About you

You will be an experienced environmental or climate professional with a strong track record of delivering change within a manufacturing environment.

You will bring:

• Strong understanding of industrial emissions and decarbonisation, with a focus on implementation rather than strategy alone.
• Practical knowledge of ISO 14001, with the judgement to simplify systems without compromising compliance.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to build credibility with plant managers and operational teams without formal authority.
• Working knowledge of Product Carbon Footprinting and/or LCA, particularly the ability to assess supplier emissions data.
• A pragmatic approach to imperfect data and a willingness to act while continuing to improve the underlying information.

Location & travel

• The role is hybrid and based in Breda, Netherlands, although Stockholm, Sweden will also be considered as a backup location.
• Travel to Cloetta's six production sites will be required, expected to be approximately 20%.

Acre is committed to building inclusive and diverse talent pools. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.