Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Manager
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA (On-site)
Industry: Leading Paper Product Manufacturing Company
Join a Leader in Sustainable Paper & Packaging Manufacturing
A leading Paper Product Manufacturing Company is seeking a strategic, hands-on Sustainability Manager to lead and expand sustainability initiatives across its paper mill and packaging operations. This high‑impact role will oversee environmental performance, compliance, and ESG advancement-driving meaningful progress toward long‑term sustainability goals and industry commitments, including the 2030 AF&PA targets.
This position operates onsite at the corporate headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
What You'll Do
Sustainability Strategy & Execution
- Develop and implement site-level sustainability plans aligned with corporate ESG strategies.
- Lead initiatives to reduce carbon footprint, water consumption, waste, and energy use.
- Monitor, analyze, and report on sustainability KPIs including GHG emissions, effluent discharge, and fiber sourcing.
- Establish and drive sustainability compliance policies and best practices across mills and packaging sites.
- Manage training, compliance adherence, and continuous improvement within sustainability programs.
- Develop a robust sustainability management program across operating divisions.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Partner with Environmental Management teams to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations (EPA, Clean Water Act, air permitting, etc.).
- Work with operations to ensure best practices in chemical handling, wastewater treatment, and air quality management.
- Support third‑party environmental audits, including tracking performance, quality, and cost control.
Sustainable Sourcing & Supply Chain
- Support responsible fiber sourcing and maintain chain‑of‑custody certifications (FSC, PEFC).
- Evaluate sustainability performance of suppliers in collaboration with procurement.
- Promote circular economy strategies and increased use of recycled materials.
Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting
- Prepare sustainability disclosures for internal and external audiences (CDP, GRI, Ecovadis, SASB, etc.).
- Collaborate across departments on sustainability‑related issues and reporting.
- Support ESG reporting for mills and packaging operations, contributing content to annual sustainability reports.
- Lead employee engagement and awareness programs.
- Collect and analyze environmental performance data across operations, including tracking progress against the company's sustainability commitments.
- Represent the organization in relevant industry forums and community outreach initiatives.
What You'll Need
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forestry, or a related field
(Master's degree preferred) - 3-5+ years of sustainability or environmental compliance experience
- Experience in pulp & paper or heavy manufacturing industries strongly preferred
- Strong working knowledge of sustainability frameworks, ESG systems, and compliance programs
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent project management and cross‑functional collaboration skills
- Proven ability to design, implement, and improve sustainability initiatives
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
- Ability to work independently with creative, proactive thinking
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels
Preferred Qualifications
- LEED Green Associate or LEED AP
- Certified Sustainability Practitioner (CSR‑P)
- FSC Chain‑of‑Custody experience
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Working Environment
- Combination of office and mill settings
- PPE required in operational areas
- Occasional attendance at industry events, supplier meetings, and regulatory sessions
FAQs
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