ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Project Manager

Full Time

Minneapolis, MN, US

Salary Range: $110,000.00 To $140,000.00 Annually

Job Purpose

Develop and implement an industry-leading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program that aligns with Rise Baking Company’s strategic long-term sustainability and governance objectives. Partner with Operations, HR, Quality, Legal, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, R&D, and Finance to establish and monitor ESG KPIs, strengthen governance practices, and advance our company’s sustainability commitments.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Rise Baking Company’s ESG strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations

• Track, analyze, and report on environmental metrics such as energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste, and packaging sustainability across manufacturing facilities

• Partner with Operations and Quality to advance responsible sourcing, food safety, and animal welfare programs in line with company commitments

• Participate as a key leader in the company’s social responsibility initiatives, including employee wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and labor practices

• Establish and maintain governance policies, procedures, and internal controls that support ethical business conduct, risk management, and regulatory compliance

• Coordinate the collection and validation of ESG data across departments and facilities to support accurate, timely internal and external reporting

• Prepare ESG disclosures and reports aligned with recognized frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB, CDP) for customers, investors, and other stakeholders

• Monitor evolving ESG regulations, customer requirements, and industry standards, and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunities

• Support supplier engagement on sustainability expectations, including supplier codes of conduct, certifications, and sustainability surveys

• Train and educate employees, including Sales and Product Development teams, on ESG goals, sustainable claims, and related tools and topics

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress against ESG goals, and report results to senior leadership

• Build strong working relationships with cross-functional partners, including Operations, Legal, Finance, HR, Quality, and Procurement, to advance ESG priorities

• Support food safety program, quality standards, and legality of manufactured products [SR1]

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Qualifications (Education, Experience, Competencies)

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental science, business, or a related field, and/or 3 equivalent years of experience

• 3+ years of experience in ESG, sustainability, or corporate responsibility

• Familiarity with ESG reporting frameworks and standards and applicable environmental and labor regulations

• Strong project management skills and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience collecting, validating, and reporting sustainability data

• Passion for sustainability and a deep commitment to advancing responsible business practices

• Food manufacturing experience and familiarity with commodity-sensitive businesses preferred

• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, with advanced skills in Excel

• Ability to work cross-functionally and with external partners, convey complex issues clearly, and maintain confidentiality

• Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment

• Self-motivated, goal oriented, quality driven, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C. Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $110,000 to $140,000 annually. Pay is based upon several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. Rise Baking Company complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your annual salary, Rise Baking Company offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, annual bonus eligibility, incentive and recognition programs and 401k contributions (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). At Rise Baking Company, our people are our finest ingredient.