What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Sustainability Engineer position at North American Stainless?
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION:
As the Lead Sustainability Engineer, you will play a high-visibility, cross-functional role responsible for driving, tracking, and executing North American Stainless's comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and working in close partnership with the Corporate Sustainability Director and the Group Corporate Sustainability Department, you will bridge the gap between high-level corporate vision and hands-on technical execution across all internal departments and facility operations. In this position, you will collaborate with key partners to conduct engineering studies and proactively identify, design, and implement long-term, sustainability-focused initiatives. These programs will drive measurable progress toward the organization's goals centered around Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, solid waste diversion from landfills, diversity and inclusion, and workplace health and safety. Additionally, you will manage critical data-gathering pipelines and administrative support, you will ensure a positive environmental and social impact while aligning the enterprise with international sustainability frameworks and positioning the organization for future strategic capital events.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Carbon Accounting, Climate Disclosures & Product Transparency
a. Emissions Accounting: Lead the robust end-to-end collection, calculation, and quality control of Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions data following the methodology specified by Acerinox. Manage the monthly incorporation of this data into ESGear for compliance and reporting.
b. Audit Management: Facilitate, orchestrate, and participate in third-party verification audits (specifically Scope 3) to ensure the highest standards of data accuracy, validation, and compliance.
c. International & Trade Reporting: Compile and synthesize required dataset parameters to support the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) obligations.
d. Decarbonization & Product Transparency: Support the execution, monitoring, and granular tracking of milestones established under the company's formal Decarbonization Plan. Develop and maintain Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for rebar and other NAS products based on market demand.
2. Sustainability Strategy, Risk & Corporate Frameworks
a. Parent Company & Corporate Frameworks: Coordinate closely with Acerinox to ensure proper data management, audit validation, and alignment with the "Acerinox 360 Sustainability Plan". Support data synthesis and financial linkages for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Board of Director Reports, and the company's Annual Report.
b. Risk, Materiality & Resilience: Contribute technical research and coordination support to regular ESG Materiality Assessments, Risk Assessments, and the implementation of the organizational Climate Adaptation Plan.
c. Stakeholder & Customer Communications: Promptly and precisely respond to customer sustainability questionnaires, ESG informational requests, and regulatory inquiries regarding GHG emissions and product footprints.
d. Public Disclosures: Prepare and optimize formal public disclosure submissions such as CDP, GRI, and various federal/state/local disclosure programs, tracking methodology updates over time.
3. Energy Management, Engineering & Industrial Compliance
a. ISO Systems Management: Develop, implement, and maintain the Energy Management System (EnMS) to secure and retain ISO 50001 certification. Lead operational engagement with the Department of Energy (DOE) ISO 50001 Ready Program.
b. Management System Integration: Assist with the integration of all organizational ISO programs (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 14064, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001) to reduce duplication of documentation, streamline work instructions, and build a more sustainable integrated management system.
c. Engineering Projects & Capital Proposals: Partner with internal engineering teams on feasibility studies, facility modifications, process changes, and remedial designs. Conduct rigorous energy/CO2 savings calculations and draft Return on Investment (ROI) and engineering reports for new project proposals to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
d. Operational Resource Analysis: Analyze quantitative and qualitative data related to cost, manpower, and resource utilization. In collaborationwith the Environmental Department and Operations, implement initiatives around water use, energy efficiency, safety, material management for waste minimization and waste diversion from landfills across plants and warehouse facilities.
4. Industry Representation, Contractor Oversight & Strategic Support
a. Strategic Capital Events: Provide vital data management, process documentation, and direct analytical support for the company's ongoing special projects or initiatives.
b. Sector Surveys & Associations: Own the execution and formal submission of institutional industry surveys, notably the Worldsteel CO2 and Worldsteel slag surveys. Represent organizational activities in relevant industry member associations.
c. Regulatory Intelligence: Actively track, analyze, and brief executive leadership on new regulations, global market trends, government incentive programs, and emerging sustainability requirements that impact NAS market growth.
d. Contractor & Vendor Oversight: Oversee the activities of outside contractors to guarantee compliance with environmental laws, establishing ongoing plans for the continuous improvement of their environmental performance.
SUPPLEMENTAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Other duties as assigned
2. Participation in relevant continuous improvement programs
3. Set appropriate performance management expectations for direct reports
4. Lead by example
5. Encourage, and assist in sustaining correct behaviors
6. Incorporate, facilitate, and embrace change
7. Be receptive, and provide adequate feedback for developmental purposes
MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
● Education: Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related technical discipline.
● Experience: 5 years of experience managing sustainability, carbon accounting, or environmental compliance within an industrial manufacturing or corporate setting (steel/heavy manufacturing preferred).
● Technical Skills: * Direct experience with GHG protocol (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) and ESG software platforms (e.g., ESGear).
● Proven experience implementing and auditing ISO 50001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 systems.
● Familiarity with global regulatory frameworks (CSRD, CBAM) and disclosure indices (GRI, CDP).
● Proficiency in environmental modeling, agency-mandated analytical techniques, and TRI/SARA reporting.
● Core Competencies: Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills; exceptional cross-departmental collaboration capabilities; executive-level drafting and presentation skills; and a proactive approach to risk mitigation and continuous operational improvement.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES REQUIRED:
● Mobility in plant
● While performing the duties of (this job), the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, etc.
● The employee is frequently required to make use of their hands for technical tasks
● The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
● Visual ability with or without correction
● Communication abilities
HEALTH AND SAFETY:
1. Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
2. Comply with company safety rules, policies, procedures, as well as job specific work instructions and JSAs.
3. Report the absence of or defect in any personal protective equipment or clothing to the Supervisor or Manager immediately
4. Use and wear the personal protective equipment, protective devices and clothing that is required. The following is the minimum:
a. Metatarsal boots
b. Safety glasses
c. Hearing protection
d. Hard Hat
e. High-Vis Clothing
Some areas may require additional personal protective equipment such as:
Some areas may require additional personal protective equipment such as:
f. Respirators; the respirator requires you to be clean shaven in order to comply with company policies and procedures as well as OSHA Regulations.
g. Fire Retardant clothing
h. Acid PPE
5. Report to the Safety Coordinator, Group Lead or Supervisor any contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations or Company policies or procedures
6. Must follow all Lockout Tag out (LOTO) guidelines for designated equipment and machinery
7. Must follow all Environmental Policies and Regulations
8. Maintain a clean and safe work area
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
1. Work in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
2. Clean, well-ventilated and safe work areas.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
1. Abiding by the Acerinox Code of Conduct
2. Keeping oneself informed through your company email account
3. Maintaining your Dynamic Policy Profile and all assigned learnings therein
4. Abiding by all security procedures
5. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills
6. Must be able to learn, adapt, and retain information
7. Must have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills