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Senior Procurement Sustainability Specialist at Ensto in Estonia
Skills
Job Description
Are you looking to do good with your work and be a part of creating a better future with electricity?
Come join Ensto family as our new Senior Procurement Sustainability Specialist
Ensto is an international, growth-oriented family business and technology company, which creates smart solutions for electricity distribution networks. For over 68 years, we have been dedicated to electricity with a long-term and human-centric approach. Our aim is to become a leading expert for distribution system operators and help them succeed and create a more sustainable tomorrow.
We offer innovative and reliable, long-lifecycle overhead lines, underground networks, network automation and new smart technology products and solutions for electricity distribution networks. Our own R&D, manufacturing, and laboratories give us the expertise to continually innovate and serve our customers on an individual level.
In this position
You support the optimization of Ensto's material portfolio by integrating material expertise, sustainability considerations, and value optimization into procurement decisions. The role contributes to material-related sustainability initiatives, supplier material development, and Scope 3 upstream emissions reduction activities while helping to ensure that materials meet technical, commercial, regulatory, and environmental requirements.
Key Areas of Contribution
Scope 3 Upstream Emissions & Sustainability Data
Lead material-related sustainability data management and support procurement decarbonization initiatives.
- Lead collection, validation, analysis, and reporting of supplier and material sustainability data, including product carbon footprints and supplier emissions.
- Develop methodologies and tools to improve Scope 3 emissions calculations and data quality.
- Identify and drive material and supplier related carbon reduction initiatives in collaboration
with Category Managers, suppliers, and Product Development.
- Develop sustainability dashboards, KPIs, and reporting capabilities to support procurement performance management.
- Support customer requests, sustainability reporting, and regulatory disclosures related to supplier and material sustainability performance.
Sustainable Materials Strategy & Supplier Development
Develop and implement procurement strategies that integrate sustainability into material selection and supplier management.
- Develop category-level sustainability strategies together with Category Managers.
- Embed sustainability requirements into supplier selection, RFQs, supplier evaluations, and supplier development activities.
- Develop and manage supplier sustainability assessment and performance monitoring processes.
- Lead supplier engagement on sustainability topics, including ESG assessments, emissions reporting, circularity, and responsible sourcing.
- Support supplier capability development through guidance, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Monitor emerging sustainability legislation and due diligence requirements affecting procurement and supply chains.
Material Expertise & Optimization
Provide material-related expertise to procurement, supporting strategic sourcing, product improvements, and supplier collaboration.
- Support the evaluation of alternative materials to improve product performance, cost competitiveness, sustainability, and supply resilience.
- Contribute to material standardization and value engineering initiatives.
- Provide input on material properties, technical performance, compliance aspects, and lifecycle considerations.
- Support product development, sourcing, manufacturing, and quality teams in material-related decision-making.
- Monitor developments in materials, chemicals, and regulatory requirements affecting products and supply chains, and share relevant insights with stakeholders.
- Facilitate collaboration between internal teams and suppliers on material-related topics.
- Contribute to supplier discussions regarding material innovation, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Work closely with Procurement, Product Development, Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing, Sustainability, and suppliers to ensure material decisions balance technical performance, cost competitiveness, sustainability, compliance, and long-term business value. To translate complex technical and sustainability topics into practical business actions.
Required competencies
1 Sustainability & ESG Expertise
Strong understanding of sustainability principles in manufacturing and supply chains.
Knowledge of Scope 3 emissions accounting, product carbon footprints (PCF), and life cycle assessment (LCA).
Understanding of circular economy principles, responsible sourcing, recycled content, and material traceability.
Familiarity with sustainability reporting frameworks and disclosure requirements.
Knowledge of emerging sustainability regulations affecting materials and supply chains, such as:
- CBAM
- CSRD
- CSDDD
- EU Taxonomy
- REACH, RoHS, conflict minerals, and related product compliance requirements.
2 Materials & Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of engineering materials (metals, plastics, polymers, composites, coatings, electrical materials, etc.).
- Understanding of material properties, performance requirements, manufacturing processes, and failure mechanisms.
- Experience with material qualification, testing, and validation processes.
- Ability to evaluate alternative materials and technologies for performance, cost, sustainability, and supply risk.
- Knowledge of product lifecycle impacts and material related regulatory requirements.
3. Procurement & Supplier Management
- Understanding of strategic sourcing and category management principles.
- Ability to integrate sustainability criteria into supplier selection, RFQs, and supplier performance management.
- Experience in supplier development and supplier sustainability assessments.
- Knowledge of supply chain risk management and supplier capability development.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of total cost of ownership (TCO).
4. Data, Analytics & Reporting
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with sustainability data collection, validation, and reporting.
- Ability to develop KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting.
- Understanding of emissions calculation methodologies and sustainability metrics.
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills; familiarity with ERP, procurement, and sustainability reporting tools.
5. Project & Change Management
- Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
- Strong project management and prioritization skills.
- Experience implementing process improvements and driving organizational change.
- Ability to translate complex technical and sustainability topics into practical business actions.
6. Stakeholder Management & Communication
- Strong collaboration and influencing skills across Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sustainability functions.
- Ability to engage and challenge suppliers constructively.
- Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills.
- Ability to build credibility with both technical and commercial stakeholders.
7. Business & Strategic Thinking
- Ability to balance technical performance, sustainability, risk, and cost considerations.
- Strategic mindset with a focus on long-term value creation.
- Ability to identify market trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments impacting materials and supply chains.
- Strong decision-making capability based on data and business priorities.
8. Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
- 5–10+ years of experience in materials engineering, procurement, sustainability, supplier development, or a related technical role.
- Experience in manufacturing and industrial supply chains.
- Experience with sustainability programs, carbon accounting, LCA, or supplier sustainability management is highly desirable.
9. Critical Success Competencies
- Sustainability & Scope 3 Carbon Management
- Materials Science & Engineering Expertise
- Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development
- Data Analytics & Sustainability Reporting
- Cross-functional Leadership & Influencing
- Commercial & Value Engineering Mindset
- Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
- Project and Change Management
The salary is determined based on the location and the candidate´s experience.
Our Culture - Feel Connected
Ensto is an international tech company creating smart solutions for electricity distribution networks. But we also do so much more. We want to build the world’s best connections, and help our people feel more connected with their work, each other, and the environment.
Ensto colleagues are a diverse group of people from all around the world. Even though we are different, we are all connected by the enthusiastic and encouraging culture of a family-owned business. We give students and trainees a chance to make their very first connections to work life. Top talents get to connect with each other, to build a professional network supporting their own careers. The work we do together against climate change with green electricity connects us to future generations and the well-being of this planet we all live on.
At Ensto, the desire to grow, invent, and change the world connects us all. Like a spark we all share. Sounds pretty grandiose, sure, but we think you should expect nothing less from an industry leader. Our goal is to make life better with electricity – and while we’re at it, why not make work life better, too.
We want to make the best connections, and we want you to come and make them with us. Be part of a work community that embraces diversity, curiosity, and openness.
For more information, contact our Supplier Quality Manager Kristy Valgma kristy.valgma@ensto.com