About the company
RKW Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of polyolefin-based film solutions. Its innovative and sustainable films enable customers to improve the daily life of consumers all over the world. RKW is a market leader in the areas of hygiene and agricultural films as well as films for the food and beverage industries and powdery goods. Moreover, the company supplies films and nonwovens for the chemical and processing industries as well as the medical, automotive and construction sectors. It is an independent family-owned company headquartered in Mannheim, Germany and employs approximately 2,800 people across 19 locations worldwide.
Job Purpose / Objective
The Environmental Lead will manage RKW’s operational environmental compliance and support the company’s sustainability goals. This includes overseeing certifications, emission management, risk mitigation, and resource efficiency while ensuring alignment with evolving legal and sustainability frameworks (e.g., CSRD, ESG). The role interfaces closely with production sites, the Head of Group Sustainability, and external stakeholders to drive measurable improvements in environmental performance. It reports into the Director of Operation Excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Environmental Strategy and Resource Management
- Develop, implement, and monitor RKW’s global environmental (E) strategy in partnership with the Head of Group Sustainability.
- Define and track environmental KPIs, ensuring accurate collection and monitoring of global E-related data for internal and external sustainability reporting (e.g., CSRD, Ecovadis, ISO 14001, EMAS).
- Appoint and coordinate on-site environmental representatives to manage resource consumption, waste management, hazardous materials, and emissions control.
- Act as an advisor to site management, specialist departments, and working groups on all environmental topics, including regulatory and strategic priorities.
- Operational Environmental Compliance and External Relations
- Ensure compliance with local, regional, and global environmental regulations, including risk assessments and mitigation plans.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory authorities and external bodies on environmental matters.
- Continuously monitor evolving environmental regulations, updating policies and documentation to maintain compliance and adopt best practices.
- Groupwide Environmental Processes and Certifications
- Develop a groupwide environmental certification framework and support sites in achieving and maintaining certifications (ISO 14001, EMAS, Ecovadis, etc.).
- Support headquarters and production sites in implementing strategic environmental objectives, including standardization, reporting, auditing, and incident investigation.
- Lead the coordination of regional and global environmental managers to promote knowledge sharing and best practices.
- Regularly review and optimize environmental documentation, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
- Design and deliver training materials to improve awareness and compliance across all levels of the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- Education: Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field.
- Experience: Solid experience in environmental compliance, preferably within the plastics or manufacturing sector.
- Certifications: Experience with environmental frameworks such as ISO 14001, EMAS, and Ecovadis.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong scientific or technical background, with an understanding of production processes and material flows.
- Additional certifications in environmental management or sustainability practices.
- Familiarity with SAP and advanced Excel for data management and analysis.
Skills and Competencies:
- Language Skills: Fluency in German and English is mandatory
- Technical Competencies:
- Expertise in environmental auditing, risk assessment, and compliance frameworks.
- Strong data analysis skills, including proficiency with Excel and SAP systems.
- Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements.
- Soft Skills:
- Pragmatic and hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills to engage internal and external stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel globally.
Key Interfaces:
- Internal Stakeholders:
- Operations management
- Head of Group Sustainability
- Site managers and local environmental representatives
- Risk Management, and Compliance teams
- HR and Training departments (for awareness programs)
- External Stakeholders:
- Regulatory authorities and certification bodies
- Industry groups and sustainability organizations
Key Performance Indicators:
- Achievement of certification targets (ISO 14001, EMAS, etc.).
- Integration and standardization of environmental processes across sites.
- Implementation of energy and resource efficiency measures.
- Accuracy and timeliness of environmental data reporting.
- Reduction in environmental risks and compliance incidents.
