Enter a job title or keyword
Senior Sustainability Manager System Development
Job Location:
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
12 May 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
30 August 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Your tasks
4C is a sustainability certification scheme for the coffee and cocoa industry. 4C certification focuses on good agricultural and management practices including requirements on economic social and environmental conditions for coffee and cocoa production and processing in order to establish credible sustainable and transparent supply chains. Independent certification bodies verify compliance with the 4C requirements. 4C operates in 20 countries and is the largest certification system in the coffee sector. It is also a highly innovative standard working on a variety of crucial topics such as reduction and offsetting of carbon footprint biodiversity improvement and empowering women.
To further strengthen our organisation we are looking to welcome you as Senior Sustainability Manager - System Developmentat ourheadquarters in Cologne.
In this strategic role you will work directly with the executive management and take responsibility for shaping the future direction of 4C. You will drive the development of new business models identify emerging market opportunities and translate global sustainability and regulatory trends into impactful services and projects. Acting as a key interface between strategy and operations you will collaborate closely with internal teams subsidiaries and international partners across the coffee and cocoa sectors.
Over time this role offers the opportunity to further expand its scope towards building a dedicated business development and sustainability innovation function and evolving into a leadership position with team responsibility.
If you are passionate about sustainability and would like to join a culturally certified Great Place to Workcompany with highly motivated and diverse teams making a real difference we look forward to your application!
Your main duties will be:
To further strengthen our organisation we are looking to welcome you as Senior Sustainability Manager - System Developmentat ourheadquarters in Cologne.
In this strategic role you will work directly with the executive management and take responsibility for shaping the future direction of 4C. You will drive the development of new business models identify emerging market opportunities and translate global sustainability and regulatory trends into impactful services and projects. Acting as a key interface between strategy and operations you will collaborate closely with internal teams subsidiaries and international partners across the coffee and cocoa sectors.
Over time this role offers the opportunity to further expand its scope towards building a dedicated business development and sustainability innovation function and evolving into a leadership position with team responsibility.
If you are passionate about sustainability and would like to join a culturally certified Great Place to Workcompany with highly motivated and diverse teams making a real difference we look forward to your application!
Your main duties will be:
- Leading the strategic development of the 4C business model including identifying new market opportunities and developing robust business cases
- Driving the global positioning of 4C in the coffee and cocoa sector by monitoring regulatory developments (e.g. EUDR CSRD HRDD) and translating them into practical and market-oriented services
- Providing strategic input and innovation impulses directly to executive management and supporting decision-making processes
- Driving the acquisition development and implementation of international sustainability projects in origin countries including climate biodiversity and yield improvement initiatives in collaboration with partners donors and industry stakeholders
- Building and maintaining strong partnerships and stakeholder relationships across the value chain to support project development and long-term collaboration
- Taking responsibility for the 4C Carbon Footprint Module including analysing market uptake certification coverage and the use of claims and labels and deriving strategic recommendations
- Advancing approaches in regenerative agriculture and biodiversity including the development of practical tools methodologies and audit frameworks as well as alignment with existing market standards and initiatives
- Coordinating interdisciplinary collaboration across the group working closely with affiliated organisations such as ISCC Meo GRAS and ClimatePal and facilitating stakeholder dialogue
- Contributing to the continuous improvement and further development of the 4C system
- Supporting ongoing projects to strengthen internal expertise and contributing to the development of integrated hybrid strategic-operational approaches
Your profile
- University degree in sustainability agricultural sciences environmental sciences economics or a related field
- Several years of professional experience in consulting sustainability standards business development or related fields in an international context
- Strong expertise in sustainability topics such as carbon accounting biodiversity regenerative agriculture and regulatory frameworks (e.g. EUDR CSRD HRDD)
- Proven experience in developing and managing complex projects and partnerships
- Ability to bridge global market requirements with on-the-ground realities in agricultural supply chains
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills combined with a hands-on solution-oriented approach
- Excellent communication presentation and networking skills with high intercultural competence
- High level of integrity reliability and professionalism
- Excellent English and German languageskills (at least C1 written and spoken); additional languages are an asset (e.g. Vietnamese Spanish Portuguese French)
Why us
We are an international and diverse team of passionate and experienced experts joining forces for a sustainable future! We believe thatour team is our core asset and we support our people as best we can.
To help you build your future and thrive with us we offer:
Great Team Environment
Individual learning and development plan
Work-Life Balance
Financial benefits
Wellness Programs
To help you build your future and thrive with us we offer:
Great Team Environment
- Various team events throughout the year (Celebrating Diversity Summer Team Event Christmas Party)
- Close collaboration with our sister companiesISCC System GmbHMeo Carbon Solutions GmbH GRAS Global Risk Assessment Services ClimatePal and TYC
- The opportunity to work independently and shape processes
Individual learning and development plan
- Professional onboarding to help you have an ideal start with us
- Frequent feedback sessions to ensure a high quality of communication and mutual reflection
- Many free language classes
- Access to several trainings as well as specific technical courses
- We promote from within!
Work-Life Balance
- Hybrid set-up
- 4 weeks remote workat a place of choice (after probation)
- Flexible working hours and trust based working time
- 30 vacation days and 3 additional vacation days (Christmas Eve New Years Eve Carnival Monday)
- Sabbatical options
Financial benefits
- A generous pension scheme (bAV) in line with our sustainability values
- JobTicket/Deutschlandticket
- Annual bonus schemebased on performance
Wellness Programs
- Subsidized Urban Sports Club
- Health weekspromoting healthy habits in personal and professional life
Ready to join our team
Then we would be happy to hear from you soon! Please apply via the button below with a meaningful cover letter CV and any relevant certificates.
We are looking forward to your application and hope to welcome you in our team soon!
We are a company with equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age race gender or any other criteria that is not a professional qualification for an open position.
We are looking forward to your application and hope to welcome you in our team soon!
We are a company with equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age race gender or any other criteria that is not a professional qualification for an open position.
About us
ISCC International Sustainability and Carbon Certificationis a globally applicable and leading certification system designed to enhance traceable sustainable deforestation-free and climate-friendly supply chains. ISCC certifications are widely recognised and cover sustainable agricultural biomass biogenic wastes and residues non-biological renewable materials and recycled carbon-based materials. The development and implementation of different certification standards is ISCCs tool to promote its mission to mitigate climate change and bring more traceability into global markets and supply chains.To date ISCC holds more than 15800 valid certificates in 130 countries.
Our close-knit team of dedicated supportive and highly motivated professionals atISCC come from a variety of backgrounds which contributes to the diverse and dynamic work environment. We all work together with a shared enthusiasm for sustainability and a common objective. We look forward to having you join our team at the ISCC headquarters in Cologne if you think we are a good fit for you.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification is a globally applicable and leading certification system designed to enhance traceable, sustainable, deforestation-free, and climate-friendly supply chains. ISCC certifications are widely recognised and cover sustainable ag ... View more
