Sustainability Specialist

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and driven Sustainability Consultant to join our GMEA (Global Manufacturing Excellence Assessment) program. In this high-impact role, you will conduct in-depth sustainability assessments at manufacturing sites across India, evaluating environmental, health, safety, and social performance against globally benchmarked standards. Beyond assessment, you will play a pivotal role in growing the program by identifying new clients, nurturing relationships, and demonstrating thought leadership in the sustainability space.

Position at a Glance

Program

GMEA (Green Manufacturing Excellence Assessment)

Location

India (Pan-India travel required)

Assessment Load

4050 manufacturing sites per year

Assessment Duration

23 days per site

Function

Sustainability Assessments & Business Development

Reporting To

Program Director / Head of Sustainability

Key Responsibilities

1. Manufacturing Site Assessments

Conduct comprehensive 23 day on-site sustainability assessments at 4050 manufacturing facilities annually across India.

Evaluate sites against the GMEA framework covering environmental management, energy & water efficiency, waste management, occupational health & safety, labour practices, and community impact.

Review documentation, interview site personnel, and perform physical walkthroughs to gather assessment evidence.

Score and benchmark sites against program criteria and global best practices.

Prepare detailed, structured assessment reports with findings, scores, corrective action plans, and improvement recommendations.

Present findings and insights to site management and senior leadership with clarity and professionalism.

2. Business Development

Proactively identify and pursue new client opportunities across manufacturing sectors to expand the GMEA program's reach.

Develop and deliver compelling presentations and proposals to prospective clients, showcasing the value and ROI of GMEA assessments.

Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers, sustainability heads, and procurement leaders at target companies.

Represent the program at industry events, conferences, and forums to enhance brand visibility and generate leads.

Collaborate with the program team to define pricing, scope of work, and customised assessment packages for prospects.

Track and report on BD pipeline, conversion rates, and revenue targets.

3. Leadership & Program Development

Act as a subject matter expert and ambassador for the GMEA program, mentoring junior assessors and supporting onboarding.

Contribute to continuous improvement of the GMEA assessment framework, tools, and methodologies.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop thought leadership content white papers, case studies, and industry benchmarks.

Lead client debrief sessions and facilitate corrective action workshops where required.

Represent the organisation at industry bodies and sustainability networks to build credibility and influence.

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Background

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Sustainability, EHS, or a related field.

Professional certifications preferred: NEBOSH, ISO 14001/45001 Lead Auditor, GRI, SA8000, SEDEX/SMETA, or equivalent.

Professional Experience

Minimum 812 years of experience in sustainability, EHS, or manufacturing excellence roles.

Demonstrated experience conducting third-party sustainability or EHS audits/assessments at manufacturing facilities.

Prior exposure to business development, client management, or consultative sales is highly desirable.

Experience working with global assessment or certification programs (e.g., EcoVadis, SEDEX, DNV, Bureau Veritas, SGS, TV) is a strong advantage.

Key Competencies

Technical Skills

Behavioural Skills

Deep knowledge of sustainability frameworks (GRI, CDP, SDGs, ESG)

Exceptional communication & executive presentation skills

EHS auditing & gap analysis expertise

Strong leadership and ability to influence without authority

Report writing & data analysis

Client-centric mindset with a consultative approach

Familiarity with Indian manufacturing landscape

Self-driven, resilient, and comfortable with high travel

Understanding of supply chain sustainability

Team player who can also lead independently

Travel Requirements

This role involves significant pan-India travel (approximately 4050% of working time). Assessors are expected to be on-site at client manufacturing facilities for 23 consecutive days per assignment. The ability to manage travel efficiently and maintain high-quality output across diverse locations is essential.

What We Offer

A high-visibility role within a globally recognised sustainability assessment program.

Opportunity to work across India's most prominent manufacturing sectors.

Competitive compensation with performance-linked incentives tied to BD targets.

Continuous learning through exposure to global sustainability standards and practices.

A collaborative, purpose-driven team committed to making manufacturing more sustainable.

GMEA Program|Confidential|For Internal & Recruitment Use Only