Sr. Director Sustainable Operations Expertise

Sr. Director Sustainable Operations Expertise
Flexible Barcelona (Spain), Delft or Maastricht (The Netherlands), Paris (France)

 

Imagine a future where every operation not only drives business success but also contributes to a sustainable planet. Where you can enable the development and implementation of programs that make this vision a reality—empowering organizations to make their projects more sustainable, harness renewable energy, conduct life cycle assessments, and uphold social accountability through frameworks like Smeta and Sedex. With a strategic approach, ensure that sustainability isn’t just a compliance measure but a competitive advantage, helping businesses navigate project reviews and embed sustainable practices at their core. Let’s create a smarter, greener, and more responsible future—together.

 

At dsm-firmenich, being a force for good is not optional. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a shared responsibility woven into our daily work, benefiting to our People, Customers & Communities and driving business value. Equal access to opportunities is a given, belonging is a shared feeling, authenticity is celebrated.

 

Your key responsibilities:

• Ensure organizational capability and expertise on technologies, skills and competencies needed to operate in a new environment are in place, in line with Operational and Sustainability strategies of the company.
• Build and lead a team of dedicated leaders with responsibility for talent development and capability building on relevant expertise and mentoring related to Operational expertise and leadership capability. 
• Ensure adequate support and collaboration with main stakeholders, serving the company strategy and the customers’ needs
• Enable successful initiation and implementation of programs and reporting regarding the energy transition programs with the manufacturing sites and procurement (renewable electricity contracts with a balance sheet value of 50-100 mEur).
• Support strategic and tactical steering of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) competence in close collaboration with sustainability, business and digital and tech leaders. 
• Guide the cross-industry Sustainability/Social accountability programs, ensuring close co-operation and interface management between key functions.
• Ensure good quality and adequate sustainable operations review of company projects, in accordance with project guidelines and processes.
• Monitor developments in the field of SHE and operational sustainability with peer companies and internal stakeholders in order to adapt dsm-firmenich requirements and implementation methods accordingly and to influence these developments where desirable and possible. 
• Be the (co-)leader together with BU stakeholders in several important sustainable operations related programs.

 

We bring:

• A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset;
• A culture that prioritizes safety and well-being, both physically and mentally;
• The opportunity to work for a company where sustainability is much more than a claim and is core to our strategy and purpose;
• A firm belief that working together with our customers is the key to achieving great things;
• An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future;
• A flexible work environment that empowers people to take accountability for their work and own the outcome;

 

You bring: 

• Master degree Process Technology or Engineering, with at least 10-15 years of experience in working with senior stakeholders in a manufacturing organization, requiring a high level of influence to deliver the mandate.
• Experience in operations line management and/ or manufacturing related projects. Preferably expertise in decarbonization, water reduction, energy competence, alliance, energy balance etc. 
• Demonstrated leadership presence and maturity. 
• Ability to handle Group level customer interactions and drive internal stakeholders' alignment. Excellent influential skills. 
• Forward looking and innovation driven while ensuring adherence to the current legal, industry and customers’ requirements

 

Equal opportunities commitment

dsm-firmenich is fully dedicated to inclusion because when people feel engaged and empowered, their creativity and innovation drives unprecedented progress. We aim to build a workplace where opportunity really is equal, so everyone can thrive. We do not discriminate: (here,) there’s a place for everyone with us.

dsm-firmenich is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Our people are as diverse as our customers. For us that incl