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Sustainability Strategy Consultant (m/w/d) - Job Opportunity at GEA Group

Berlin, Germany
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 6, 2025
Hybrid
Based on the mid-level experience requirements, Berlin location, and specialized sustainability consulting focus, the total compensation likely ranges from €65,000-€85,000 annually. This includes base salary plus performance bonuses and benefits, positioning competitively within the German consulting market for professionals with 3-5 years of specialized experience.

Benefits

Competitive salary package with additional performance-based benefits that positions candidates favorably in the German consulting market
Generous 30-day annual leave policy that exceeds the German legal minimum and demonstrates strong work-life balance commitment
Hybrid working model providing flexibility and reduced commute costs while maintaining collaborative opportunities
International career exposure through a global company presence in 60+ countries, offering unique networking and experience opportunities
Purpose-driven corporate culture focused on sustainability leadership, appealing to environmentally conscious professionals
Comprehensive development and promotion opportunities with clear advancement pathways in a growing sustainability sector
Dynamic team environment with interesting and challenging projects that enhance professional portfolio and expertise

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic leadership in sustainability consulting by developing and executing comprehensive business strategies that position GEA as a market leader in environmental solutions
Generate substantial revenue growth through identifying and securing new business opportunities in the rapidly expanding Net Zero and sustainability consulting market
Lead high-stakes client engagements and project management initiatives that deliver measurable environmental impact and business value for major industrial clients
Create and implement cutting-edge sustainability strategies that help clients achieve carbon neutrality and regulatory compliance in complex industrial environments
Govern multi-million dollar sustainability projects ensuring exceptional client satisfaction and successful delivery of transformational environmental solutions
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with internal stakeholders to deliver integrated sustainability solutions that drive GEA's competitive advantage
Develop compelling business proposals and lead sophisticated business development efforts that secure long-term client relationships and recurring revenue streams

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.

Experience

3 to 5 years in sustainability consulting, strategy consulting or project management

Required Skills

Strong understanding of sustainability practices, including energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and sustainable resource management Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and drive business growth Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Willingness to travel regularly Fluent English language skill, German language is a plus
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The sustainability consulting market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by EU Green Deal regulations and corporate Net Zero commitments, with the market expected to reach $16.8 billion by 2030. Companies are increasingly required to comply with CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and EU Taxonomy regulations, creating massive demand for specialized consulting services. Industrial process optimization for sustainability is becoming a critical competitive advantage as energy costs soar and carbon pricing mechanisms expand across Europe. The food and beverage processing industry, GEA's primary market, faces particular pressure to reduce energy consumption and implement circular economy principles. The convergence of digital transformation and sustainability is creating new opportunities for consultants who can integrate IoT, AI, and data analytics into environmental strategies. This technological integration is becoming essential for achieving measurable and scalable sustainability outcomes.

Role Significance

The role likely involves leading cross-functional project teams of 3-8 professionals, including technical specialists, data analysts, and junior consultants. The position also requires coordination with international stakeholders across GEA's 60+ country presence.
This is a strategic individual contributor role with significant client-facing responsibilities and business development ownership. The position requires autonomous decision-making capabilities and the ability to influence C-level executives, indicating substantial professional responsibility despite the mid-level experience requirement.

Key Projects

Development of comprehensive Net Zero roadmaps for large industrial facilities with multi-million dollar implementation budgets Carbon footprint assessments and reduction strategies for complex food processing operations Energy efficiency optimization projects delivering 15-30% consumption reductions Circular economy implementation strategies for manufacturing processes Regulatory compliance frameworks for emerging EU sustainability directives

Success Factors

Ability to translate complex technical sustainability concepts into compelling business cases that resonate with executive decision-makers and drive significant capital investments Strong project management capabilities with experience managing multiple concurrent engagements while maintaining exceptional quality standards and client satisfaction Deep understanding of industrial processes combined with cutting-edge knowledge of emerging sustainability technologies and regulatory frameworks Exceptional stakeholder management skills capable of navigating complex organizational dynamics and building consensus among diverse international teams Business development acumen with proven ability to identify market opportunities and convert prospects into long-term strategic partnerships

Market Demand

Extremely high demand driven by regulatory compliance requirements, corporate sustainability mandates, and the European Union's aggressive climate targets. The intersection of industrial process expertise and sustainability strategy represents one of the fastest-growing consulting niches.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Energy efficiency and carbon reduction expertise is absolutely essential as these represent the primary value drivers for industrial clients facing rising energy costs and carbon pricing. Professionals must understand complex industrial processes and identify optimization opportunities that deliver immediate ROI while supporting long-term sustainability goals. Stakeholder engagement and influence management capabilities are crucial for success, as sustainability initiatives typically require buy-in from diverse groups including operations, finance, procurement, and executive leadership. The ability to build consensus and drive change management is often the determining factor in project success. Strategic planning and business development skills are fundamental to the role's success, as consultants must identify market opportunities, develop compelling value propositions, and secure long-term client relationships in a competitive consulting environment.

Beneficial Skills

Digital technology integration knowledge, particularly IoT, data analytics, and AI applications in industrial settings, provides significant competitive advantages as clients increasingly seek technology-enabled sustainability solutions Regulatory expertise in EU sustainability frameworks, including CSRD, EU Taxonomy, and carbon pricing mechanisms, becomes increasingly valuable as compliance requirements expand and penalties increase Cross-cultural communication and international business experience enhance effectiveness in GEA's global environment and support expansion into emerging markets where sustainability consulting demand is rapidly growing

Unique Aspects

Integration with GEA's extensive industrial equipment portfolio provides unique competitive advantages, allowing consultants to recommend and implement hardware solutions alongside strategic advice
Access to proprietary operational data from thousands of industrial installations worldwide, enabling data-driven insights unavailable to traditional consulting firms
Opportunity to shape the development of a new business vertical within an established global company, offering entrepreneurial experience with corporate stability
Direct involvement in the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability, working with cutting-edge IoT and AI technologies in industrial applications

Career Growth

Career advancement typically occurs within 18-36 months given the high demand for experienced sustainability consultants and the specialized nature of industrial process expertise.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Sustainability Strategy Consultant or Practice Lead positions within 2-3 years, with responsibility for larger client portfolios and team leadership Director of Sustainability Consulting roles at major consulting firms, overseeing regional practices and strategic initiatives Head of Sustainability positions at large industrial companies, leveraging consulting experience to drive internal transformation Independent sustainability consulting practice ownership, serving specialized industrial niches with deep technical expertise

Company Overview

GEA Group

GEA Group is a global engineering and technology company specializing in process technology and components for sophisticated production processes, particularly in food and beverage processing. With approximately 18,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries, GEA represents one of the largest suppliers in the food processing industry with annual revenue exceeding €4.9 billion.

GEA holds a dominant market position as one of the top three global suppliers in food processing technology, competing directly with companies like Tetra Pak and Alfa Laval. The company's extensive installed base and long-term customer relationships provide a substantial competitive advantage for sustainability consulting services.
The Berlin location positions this role at the heart of European sustainability regulation and innovation, providing direct access to EU policy developments and a thriving cleantech ecosystem. Germany's leadership in industrial sustainability creates an ideal environment for developing cutting-edge consulting methodologies.
GEA's engineering-focused culture emphasizes technical excellence, innovation, and long-term customer relationships. The company's recent strategic focus on sustainability consulting represents a significant growth initiative, offering substantial career development opportunities for early adopters of this business area.
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