Sustainability Engineer

Role Summary

We are a European solar structures importer preparing for the CBAM definitive phase. We seek a CBAM Supplier Audit & Verification Coordinator (China) to lead data readiness and supplier engagement with our Chinese Tier-1 and Tier-2 manufacturers (e.g., steel, galvanizing, fabrication, surface treatment). This role will coordinate all documentation and on-site/remote pre-audits needed to validate real (site-based) emissions for CBAM verification in 2027, in close collaboration with a third-party verifier/consultancy in Europe.

The ideal candidate has strong English fluency, hands-on experience with GHG accounting and ETS methodologies, and a solid grasp of product carbon foot printing (ISO 14067 / ISO 14064 family, often referred to as the ISO 14060 series) or EPD to EN 15804. Familiarity with CBAM requirements is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Readiness & Program Management

• Build and execute a China-wide CBAM data readiness plan for our supplier base; define scope, milestones, and critical path aligned to Q1 & Q3 2026 pre-audits and 2027 verification.
• Map supplier processes and system boundaries (energy, fuels, raw materials, co-products, waste, transport) to product-level emissions for solar mounting structures.
• Implement documentation standards: activity data, emission factors, allocation methods, metering/calibration, QA/QC logs, and evidence trails.

Data Collection, QC, and Gap Closure

• Collect, validate, and reconcile primary data (e.g., electricity and heat consumption, process emissions, metallurgical inputs, zinc bath data, fabrication scrap, coating lines) against bills of materials and mass/energy balances.
• Conduct data checks (completeness, consistency, plausibility) and lead corrective actions with suppliers; close gaps with secondary data where justified.
• Prepare bilingual (CN/EN) audit packs and traceability indexes for verifier review.

Pre-Audits & Third-Party Coordination

• Plan and execute remote and on-site pre-audits in Q1 and Q3 2026, ensuring supplier teams are trained and audit-ready.
• Serve as the single point of contact for the European third-party auditor/consultancy, aligning on sampling, audit trails, findings, and readiness status.
• Track findings (nonconformities, observations, opportunities for improvement) and drive timely remediation.

Stakeholder & Change Management

• Train supplier technical and operations teams on MRV expectations (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification), evidence quality, data retention, and allocation logic.
• Communicate progress, risks, and mitigation plans to European leadership; maintain a clear dashboard of supplier status and critical issues.
• Manage confidentiality, NDAs, and ethical data handling across all parties.

Continuous Improvement

• Standardize templates, SOPs, and checklists for repeatable data capture and audits.

Benchmark and propose improvements to reduce emissions data uncertainty and increase the share of primary data.

Key Qualifications/Requirements

Must-Have

• Language: Native/advanced Mandarin and fluent English (written/spoken), including the ability to produce and review technical documentation and audit evidence in English.
• GHG & ETS Expertise: Practical experience with ETS-style methodologies (EU ETS, China ETS, or equivalent), MRV/data assurance, and site audits.
• PCF/EPD Experience: Hands-on with product carbon footprinting per ISO 14067 / ISO 14064 family (ISO 14060 series), and/or EPD (preferably EN 15804).
• Supplier/Audit Coordination: Proven track record coordinating multi-site suppliers, preparing audit packs, and closing findings with clear corrective actions.
• Analytical Rigor: Strong Excel/data skills; comfort with activity data checks, allocation approaches, and evidence traceability.
• Project Management: Ability to plan and run multi-quarter programs with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.

Nice-to-Have

• CBAM familiarity (scope, system boundaries, real vs default values, verifier expectations).
• Sector knowledge in steel, galvanizing, fabrication, coating processes relevant to solar structures.
• Exposure to LCA tools (GaBi, SimaPro) or Power BI/Tableau for dashboards.
• Experience working with European customers, auditors, or sustainability consultancies.
• Quality systems (ISO 9001), environmental management (ISO 14001), or energy management (ISO 50001) exposure.

Knowledge and Education

• Engineering Degree + Relevant Quality / Manufacturing Experience.

Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Environmental Science, Materials/Metallurgy, Industrial Management, or related.
• 5–10 years of relevant experience in GHG accounting, product carbon footprinting, verification readiness, or supplier sustainability programs.
• Prior responsibility for audit-ready documentation and pre-audit execution with third-party verifiers.