ESG Strategy & Governance Lead

Rise Baking Company, LLC; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Annual bonus eligibility

Incentive programs

401k contributions

Job summary

Rise Baking Company is seeking an ESG Project Manager to lead the development and execution of an industry-leading ESG program from Minneapolis. You will collaborate with Operations, HR, Quality, Legal, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Finance to establish and monitor ESG KPIs and governance practices that align with sustainability commitments.

The role emphasizes tracking environmental metrics, responsible sourcing, social impact, governance, and comprehensive ESG disclosures under

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental science, business, or a related field, and/or 3 equivalent years of experience.
• 3+ years of experience in ESG, sustainability, or corporate responsibility.
• Familiarity with ESG reporting frameworks and standards and applicable environmental and labor regulations.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience collecting, validating, and reporting sustainability data.
• Food manufacturing experience and familiarity with commodity-sensitive businesses preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Rise Baking Company’s ESG strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
• Track, analyze, and report on environmental metrics such as energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste, and packaging sustainability across manufacturing facilities.
• Partner with Operations and Quality to advance responsible sourcing, food safety, and animal welfare programs in line with company commitments.
• Participate as a key leader in the company’s social responsibility initiatives, including employee wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and labor practices.
• Establish and maintain governance policies, procedures, and internal controls that support ethical business conduct, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate the collection and validation of ESG data across departments and facilities to support accurate, timely internal and external reporting.
• Prepare ESG disclosures and reports aligned with recognized frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB, CDP) for customers, investors, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor evolving ESG regulations, customer requirements, and industry standards, and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunities.
• Support supplier engagement on sustainability expectations, including supplier codes of conduct, certifications, and sustainability surveys.
• Train and educate employees, including Sales and Product Development teams, on ESG goals, sustainable claims, and related tools and topics.
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress against ESG goals, and report results to senior leadership.
• Build strong working relationships with cross-functional partners, including Operations, Legal, Finance, HR, Quality, and Procurement, to advance ESG priorities.
• Support food safety program, quality standards, and legality of manufactured products.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Skills

ESG program management

Cross-functional leadership

Data analysis

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental science, business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Rise Baking Company is seeking an ESG Project Manager to lead the development and execution of an industry-leading ESG program from Minneapolis. You will collaborate with Operations, HR, Quality, Legal, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Finance to establish and monitor ESG KPIs and governance practices that align with sustainability commitments.

The role emphasizes tracking environmental metrics, responsible sourcing, social impact, governance, and comprehensive ESG disclosures under