What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Sustainability position at Toyota Material Handling?
Company: Toyota Material Handling North America
Job Title: Director of Sustainability
Location: Columbus, IN
About Us:
Let Toyota take your career to new heights. Toyota Material Handling provides employees with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through innovation and creativity in an unmatched culture. Based in Columbus, Indiana, Toyota offers a full line of high-quality material handling equipment sold under the Toyota brand for over 50 years. We hire great people from a wide array of backgrounds, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes Toyota Material Handling stronger. We seek individuals committed to excellence with talent, skill and innovation. We offer a generous salary and benefits package with a pleasant and enthusiastic work environment.
We are an industry-leading material handling company with a global presence, operating multiple factories and an extensive network of dealers. Our mission is to provide safe and innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency while promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. We are committed to making a lasting impact on the planet and driving change within our industry.
Position Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and strategic Director of Sustainability to lead and elevate our sustainability efforts across our organization. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this role will be key in shaping and driving the sustainability strategy, managing a team of sustainability professionals, and advancing initiatives across our manufacturing operations and dealer network. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a passion for sustainability, strong business acumen, and the ability to collaborate across departments and geographies.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and Lead Sustainability Strategy:
- Define and implement a company-wide sustainability strategy in alignment with business goals and industry best practices.
- Lead the development of short-term and long-term sustainability objectives, ensuring measurable impacts and KPIs.
- Stay informed of evolving environmental standards, regulations, and technologies to ensure compliance and position the company as an industry leader in sustainability
Team Leadership and Development:
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of sustainability professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Provide direction and support to teams within manufacturing, operations, and corporate functions to integrate sustainability into all business processes.
- Develop and deliver training programs to ensure that sustainability practices are adopted at all levels.
Sustainability Initiatives and Programs:
- Promote and support the implementation of sustainability programs across our factories, ensuring environmental impact reduction (e.g., energy, water, waste, emissions).
- Partner with the dealer network to drive sustainability initiatives in their operations, products, and services.
- Identify opportunities for sustainable innovation, such as eco-friendly product design, sustainable packaging, and resource optimization.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
- Collaborate with senior leadership to embed sustainability into strategic decision-making.
- Report on sustainability performance to internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, customers, and regulatory bodies as needed.
- Represent the company at industry conferences, forums, and external sustainability groups.
Sustainability Reporting and Compliance:
- Develop and maintain sustainability reporting processes, ensuring accurate and timely disclosures of environmental impacts (e.g., carbon footprint, resource consumption).
- Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and industry standards across global operations.
- Monitor progress toward sustainability goals, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve optimal results.
Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
- Identify new technologies, practices, and materials that drive environmental sustainability within the company’s operations.
- Work closely with R&D, supply chain, and product development teams to integrate sustainability into product innovation and lifecycle management.
Supply Chain and Dealer Network Collaboration:
- Work with supply chain teams to ensure sustainable sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics practices.
- Build strong relationships with dealers to ensure they adopt sustainable practices and promote sustainability in their customer interactions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in sustainability, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (preferably within a manufacturing or industrial setting).
- Proven track record of developing and implementing sustainability strategies that drive measurable results.
- Strong understanding of environmental regulations, green certifications, and sustainability reporting standards (e.g., GRI, CDP, ESG).
- Experience in managing cross-functional teams and engaging with external stakeholders.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence and present sustainability initiatives at all levels of the organization.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with sustainability metrics and reporting tools.
- Experience in managing sustainability across a global supply chain and dealer network is a plus.
- Passion for innovation, sustainability, and driving positive environmental change.
What We Offer:
Toyota Material Handling offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:
- Generous Salary Bonus Program
- Low Cost Medical with FREE Dental & FREE Vision Insurance options
- FREE On-site Medical Center
- FREE On-site Fitness Center Membership
- 401k Matching (Up to 6%)
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Allotment
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Between 13-14 Paid Holidays
- New Parent Leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Pet Insurance
- Volunteer Benefits
If you are an experienced leader with a passion for sustainability and a proven ability to drive strategic change, we invite you to apply for the position of Director of Sustainability and help shape a greener future for our company and the world.
Learn More about Toyota Material Handling at www.ToyotaForklift.com/Careers Follow us on Social Media:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/toyota-material-handling
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ToyotaForklift
- Twitter: twitter.com/ToyotaForklift
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ToyotaMaterialHdlg
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/toyotaforklift/
Affirmative Action Responsibility:
As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to individuals with disabilities to interview and to perform the essential functions of a role. It is Toyota Material Handling’s policy to afford equal employment and advancement opportunity for all qualified individuals without distinction or discrimination because of race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.