The Sustainability & Portfolio Manager is our sustainability ambassador for the Unilin Panel s division. The role leads sustainability strategy execution, governance, and cultural embedding while ensuring structured R&D certification & portfolio management.
This role goes beyond coordination: it shapes direction, represents the organization internally and externally, and translates sustainability ambitions into concrete, measurable impact across products, processes and innovation priorities .
Your job responsibilities include:
Sustainability Leadership & Ambassadorship
- Act as the visible sustainability leader and ambassador for the Panels organization, internally and externally.
- Translate corporate sustainability strategy into a clear, actionable roadmap for Panels , aligned with business priorities.
- Drive sustainability as a business enabler embedding it into R&D decisions, product strategy, and portfolio prioritization.
- Represent Panels in corporate sustainability governance , industry forums, learning networks, and stakeholder dialogues.
- Build sustainability literacy, ownership, and engagement across R&D, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and Communication.
Portfolio Management & R&D Governance
- Act as portfolio governance lead for R&D Panels:
- Structure and chair portfolio rhythm (Blue Meetings, Product Review Meetings, Portfolio Meetings).
- Prepare decision-making material with R&D managers.
- Support R&D leadership with Portfolio transparency and scenario insights .
Certification Management & Regulatory Stewardship
- Act as strategic owner for product related certifications and certification masterdata within the Panels organization.
- Define and maintain the certification strategy and roadma p, aligned with sustainability ambitions, market requirements, and portfolio priorities.
- Represent Panels in key certification and regulatory bodies , industry working groups, and federations, ensuring early visibility of upcoming requirements and risks.
- Provide governance and prioritization for certification projects.
- Set-up and maintain certification schemes and frameworks
People Enablement & Culture Building
- Coach and enable R&D managers and teams on:
- Sustainability thinking
- Data-driven decision-making
- Portfolio discipline
- Deliver structured onboarding for new employees on sustainability vision, frameworks, and expectations.
- Actively contribute to building a sustainability-driven cultur e, where sustainability is viewed as part of professional excellence.
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant technical or business-related field.
- Solid experience in sustainability related roles within industrial, R&D or product driven environments.
- Strong affinity with wood based panels , construction materials or adjacent manufacturing industries.
- Proficient in Dutch and English , with a good working knowledgje of French.
- Thrives in a business driven, no nonsense culture focused on impact and collaboration.
- Experience in portfolio management , governance or structured decision making within complex organizations.
- Able to navigate complex cross functional stakeholder landscapes and influence without formal authority.
- Strong analytical skills combined with a pragmatic , hands on mindset.
- Proven ability to translate strategy into clear priorities, governance and decision making frameworks.
- Acts as a sustainability ambassador , able to inspire, align and represent the organization internally and externally. Communicates clearly and convincingly, with respect for context and people.
- Takes ownership , shows initiative and drives topics forward autonomously. #LI-LV3
Unilin is a global reference in interior design and construction with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. Our floors, panels, insulation materials, and technologies can be found in the homes and workplaces of millions of people and public spaces around the world. Our brands Quick-Step, Pergo, and Moduleo probably ring a bell. Worldwide, around 7,900 employees work every day to push boundaries and innovate. Want to know more about our story? Be sure to check out our website.
