Austria 
Belgium 
Canada 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Italy 
Mexico 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Poland 
Spain 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 
USA 
Full time
Hybrid
Tarragona , Spain
Gien; Trafford Park; Gothenburg; Mannheim; Barcelona , Spain; Altopascio; Mannheim, Germany; Gothenburg, Sweden; Gien, France
Manufacturing Sustainability Director
About the Role
This role translates the global Supply Chain Sustainability strategy into impactful, manufacturing‑specific continuous‑improvement action plans and improvement projects. It plays a pivotal role in driving performance improvements across manufacturing sites worldwide and ensuring that operations deliver against ambitious long‑term sustainability targets — including SBT CO₂ net zero, responsible materials use, waste reduction, and water stewardship.
What You Will Do
You bring an uncompromised commitment to our I Care journey, actively fostering a safe, healthy, and sustainable working environment for all.
- Lead and inspire the development and implementation of sustainability projects and initiatives across manufacturing sites globally.
- Contribute to disruptive innovation by scouting, exploring, and advancing emerging technologies within manufacturing sustainability.
- Define clear and pragmatic technical pathways to achieve environmental targets in production, aligned with the global Supply Chain Sustainability strategy.
- Support manufacturing sites in identifying performance gaps, assessing technical opportunities, and delivering structured improvement roadmaps.
- Identify, pilot, and deploy technologies that enhance energy and material efficiency, enable alternative energy sources, and accelerate waste and water reduction as well as circularity within manufacturing operations.
- Partner closely with Engineering and Technology Platform teams on equipment upgrades, sustainability‑related CAPEX projects, and other strategic initiatives.
- Enable and support the effective use of sustainability performance data from manufacturing sites to drive transparency, insight, and decision‑making.
- Work in close collaboration with site leaders, engineering, procurement, and maintenance teams to seamlessly integrate sustainability into day‑to‑day operations.
- Build strong partnerships with external experts, technology providers, and energy suppliers to accelerate innovation and progress.
- Lead and further develop the global Manufacturing Sustainability team.
- Strengthen capabilities across the manufacturing network through structured training, coaching, and change‑management support.
- Act as a visible role model and take clear accountability for performance and consequence management, as well as for coaching and education within the department.
Who You Are
- A university degree in Engineering, or a closely related field.
- 10+ years of experience within global Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Sustainability, or Industrial Operations environments.
- 7+ years of proven leadership experience, including leading leaders and complex matrix organizations.
- A confident, collaborative, and inspiring leader with strong communication skills, stakeholder‑management capabilities, and a natural ability to work cross‑functionally.
- Advanced English proficiency, enabling effective collaboration in a truly global context.
What We Can Offer You
Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.
Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You with Us
More About the Location
The role can be based in multiple locations globally, with a preference for Europe to enable close collaboration with key manufacturing sites and stakeholders.