Introduction

Are you ready to lead a retail carbon reduction agenda at international level? As Interim Sustainability Manager, you will shape and execute the strategic carbon pillar, translate complex sustainability topics into clear commercial solutions, and build long-term partnerships with retail customers across Europe.

What are you going to do

Drive the retail carbon strategy. You build and execute the carbon pillar strategy, including delivering customer-facing carbon deals and embedding sustainability into commercial propositions.

Build international partnerships. You establish and strengthen long-term sustainability partnerships with international retail customers, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic counterpart.

Lead cross-functional carbon projects. You manage multi-OpCo carbon initiatives, ensuring alignment between local operating companies and central teams while safeguarding timelines, budgets and reporting.

Translate complexity into action. You turn complex sustainability frameworks into clear, actionable plans and compelling communication that supports system-wide change.

Essential skills and knowledge 

  • A Bachelor's or Master's degree.
  • 8-10 years of experience in commercial sustainability within Retail and/or FMCG (food industry is a strong plus).
  • Proven experience building international customer partnerships.
  • Experience leading cross-functional or multi-entity projects.
  • Strong budget management and reporting capabilities.
  • Solid knowledge of MS Office tools.
  • Excellent English communication skills (mandatory); Dutch is a plus.
  • This is a temporary maternity leave replacement (32-38 hours per week), hybrid working model, with travel to Germany and Belgium 1-2 times per month. Freelancers/ZZP are not eligible for this role.

What we offer

  • A competitive salary which matches your experience.
  • 8% holiday allowance (based on contract structure).
  • Travel expense reimbursement.
  • 26 vacation days (based on full-time employment).
  • Hybrid working flexibility.
  • Pension scheme and collective healthcare options.
  • Access to learning and development opportunities via the Brunel Academy.
  • Professional career guidance and coaching.
  • A strategic role with high international visibility and customer exposure.


About Brunel

Brunel connects high-performing professionals to impactful projects across industries including FMCG, food, sustainability and engineering. We offer a professional, international working environment where expertise, initiative and personal growth are highly valued.

When you join Brunel, you gain not only a contract but also long-term career perspective, strong support structures and excellent primary and secondary employment conditions.

Closing: March 18, 2026

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Do you have any questions about this vacancy?

Vacancy reference: TR-278830

SC

Corporate recruiter

Sophie Claessens

+31 20 312 5000

Contact

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Since 1975, our mission has always been to connect specialists to exciting career opportunities, to support the development of these careers, and to offer fair and equal employment. This has enabled us to create a truly sustainable and durable business model. Having a passion for people and caring deeply for the environment is not only part of Brunel’s DNA but is also reflected in our culture and values. As a global company, we take our social responsibility very seriously.

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