Global Circular Economy Lead (f/m/d)

Location:

Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Job ID:

R0138235

Date Posted:

2026-07-28

Company Name:

HITACHI ENERGY GERMANY AG

Profession (Job Category):

Legal, Compliance & Audit

Job Schedule: 

Full time

Remote:

No

Job Description:

The Opportunity 

Circular economy is a key enabler of reducing environmental impacts, improving supply chain resilience, resource efficiency and supporting our climate transition ambitions.

As our Global Circular Economy Lead, you will drive the development and implementation of circular economy initiatives across Hitachi Energy’s global operations and value chain. Working closely with colleagues across R&D, Supply Chain, Operations and Business Units, you will translate sustainability strategy into practical solutions that improve material efficiency, increase circularity performance and create long-term business value.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sustainability professional who enjoys working across functions, influencing stakeholders globally and delivering measurable impact.

This position will report to Global Environmental Sustainability Manager in the global corporate sustainability function

How you’ll make an impact:

• Serve as the global focal point and technical subject matter expert for circular economy, providing strategic guidance across Business Units, Functions, and regions.

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Global Circularity Protocol across Hitachi Energy, including defining circularity methodologies, key performance indicators, and reporting working together with sustainability performance manager.

• Drive the development and deployment of Hitachi Energy's Low-Carbon and Circular Materials Framework, accelerating the adoption of recycled, renewable, low-carbon, and circular materials across the value chain.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain Management, Product Portfolio Management, Engineering, and Business Units to embed circular economy principles into products, services, operations, and business processes.

• Support in advancing circular product and service strategies, including eco-design, life extension, refurbishment, remanufacturing, reuse, recycling, value recovery, and digital product transparency.

• Develop tools, standards, methodologies, guidance, training materials, and best practices to enable consistent implementation of circular economy principles globally.

• Monitor market trends, customer expectations, competitor activities, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and industry best practices related to circular economy, sustainable materials, eco-design, critical raw materials, digital product passports, and sustainability reporting.

• Identify opportunities to create business value through circular business models, lifecycle services, sustainable materials innovation, and resource efficiency initiatives, while supporting Marketing & Sales organisation in translating circularity into compelling customer value propositions.

• Support the Global Environmental Sustainability Manager in environmental due diligence activities, including the assessment of environmental risks, impacts, dependencies, opportunities, and regulatory obligations associated with strategic initiatives, partnerships, acquisitions, suppliers, and emerging requirements.

• Prepare sustainability disclosures, reporting related to circular economy, resource use, materials, and ensuring alignment with applicable frameworks, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Your Background 

• Master’s degree in environmental science, Engineering, Sustainability, Circular Economy or a related field or MBA in circular business models.

• Significant experience in environmental sustainability, circular economy, within an industrial or manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of circular economy principles, material flows and product life cycle thinking.

• Experience leading global or cross-functional projects in a multinational organisation.

• Knowledge of sustainable product design, recycled materials, resource efficiency or waste management programmes.

• Understanding of sustainability reporting and disclosure frameworks and evolving circular economy regulations.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

• Ability to influence without formal authority in a global matrix organization.

• Fluency in English.

• Availability to travel up to 30% of the time 

What You’ll Bring

You are a collaborative and pragmatic sustainability professional who combines technical knowledge with strong stakeholder engagement skills. You enjoy turning ambitious sustainability goals into practical actions and working with diverse teams to deliver measurable environmental and business outcomes.

You are curious, proactive and motivated by creating innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable energy future.

 We believe great work thrives in an environment where people feel genuinely supported and fairly rewarded. Our benefits are designed to create real value for every individual – fueling engagement, performance, and growth. By prioritizing well‑being, we build a work place where personal and organizational success grow together.​

The minimum salary for this position in the location specified is as follows:​

• Italy: starting from 52,700 gross annual salary,

• Applicable CBA: Metalmeccanico

The final offer will be based on candidate location, skills and qualifications, experience, and aligned with internal pay structures.​

​This role may be open in multiple locations. If the salary information listed is not applicable for your current home location, salary details relevant to your location will be discussed with you at a later stage.​

Our benefit offering is tailored based on your country of employment and generally includes:​

• Competitive salary and incentives​

• Well-being and care ​

• Paid and unpaid leave​

• Flexible work options ​

• Benefits that support your financial security​

You will receive more specific information during the recruitment process.​

 

Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

Qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing a general inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.

This is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

Use of Al and automated tools in recruitment

As part of our recruitment process, Hitachi Energy uses digital and automated tools, including Al-supported solutions, to assist with activities such as application screening, job matching, and interview scheduling. These tools are designed to support our recruiters and do not replace human decision-making. Candidate data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection and employment laws as well as Hitachi's Global Data Privacy Notice.

Background Screening and Security Checks

As part of the hiring process, Hitachi Energy conducts pre-employment background checks that may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other relevant information, in accordance with applicable laws.

For certain roles—particularly those involving access to sensitive information, financial responsibilities, client data, regulated environments, or security-sensitive functions—additional or more comprehensive background or security screenings may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, enhanced criminal history checks, credit history reviews (where legally permissible), sanctions screening, or other due diligence measures aligned with the responsibilities of the position.

The scope and depth of any background or security review will be determined based on the nature of the role and business necessity, and will always be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Candidates will be notified and, where required, asked to provide consent prior to the initiation of any such checks.