Head of Product/Program Manager (Sustainability)

DQS • Schaumburg, IL

9d

About The Position

Your role ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Strategic Leadership & Commercial Growth Develop and implement a market-driven sustainability strategy aligned with business objectives supporting new customer acquisition from sales to certification. Drive revenue growth by identifying and capitalizing on positive market dynamics finding opportunities in collaboration with sales, marketing, and operational teams Build and maintain a strong pipeline through effective networking, partnerships, consultants, and client engagement. Collaborate with sales [one dedicated resource] and marketing teams to refine value propositions and support customer acquisition. Operational Excellence & Compliance Ensure all sustainability certifications and services comply fully with DQS procedures, accreditation requirements, and regulatory standards. Provide technical oversight for the development and delivery of sustainability and consumer care programs. Lead the development and delivery of training programs to build internal expertise and client knowledge. Participate in establishing organizational policies and resolving conflicts of interest related to service offerings. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Today a single contributor, expectation is to build a sustainability team overtime in line with the segment growth, fostering in them a culture of accountability and high performance. Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to enhance visibility and thought leadership. Engage with consultants, associations, and key accounts to build networks that support business growth. Perform other duties as assigned. RESPONSIBILITIES: In collaboration with the Global Divisional Lead in Germany and local management, set and deliver business goals for revenue growth and profitability for the sector. Develop and enhance sustainability product offerings and support sales and marketing teams in achieving commercial objectives. Liaise with existing and potential customers to increase business and secure new opportunities. Streamline the auditor qualification process to reduce time to qualification and improve success rates. Serve as primary liaison with the Global division to advance product offerings, achieve level 5 compliance, and drive business growth. Your profile EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or related field (MBA preferred). Minimum 8 years of leadership experience with a proven record of building a sector commercial success in sustainability or related sectors. Demonstrated ability to lead commercial business development initiatives and achieve an ambitious revenue growth long range plan In-depth knowledge of sustainability standards, certification processes, and industry regulations. Proven skills in stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and policy development. Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Experience managing cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams is an advantage. DQS Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristic. The employer is subject to certain governmental recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. In order to comply with these laws, the employer invites employees to voluntarily self-identify their race or ethnicity. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment. The information obtained will be kept confidential and may only be used in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws, executive orders, and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement. When reported, data will not identify any specific individual. Right to Work Poster (English) EEO is the Law At DQS, you will work on issues that matter – for companies and for society. Our audits and certifications not only create trust and competitive advantages, but also contribute to greater sustainability, safety, and responsibility in global supply chains. Those who work at DQS actively shape how companies worldwide live quality and fulfill their social obligations – soundly, independently, and effectively. Do you have questions about a position or working at DQS? Our recruiting team looks forward to hearing from you and will be happy to advise you—personally, quickly, and without complications. All contact details and contact persons can be found directly in the job advertisements. DQS empowers organizations worldwide to build trust, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth by certifying the future of business. Founded in 1985, DQS has grown into a global leader in the assessment and certification of management systems, with a team of 2,500 highly qualified auditors delivering over 125,000 audit days per year in more than 60 countries. Through internationally recognized certifications across 200+ standards, DQS helps businesses manage risks, ensure compliance, and unlock new opportunities in an evolving regulatory and business landscape. Thinking beyond compliance, DQS is a trusted partner for digitalization, automation, and sustainability leadership. The company’s expertise covers a wide range of areas, spanning from cybersecurity and AI governance to ESG compliance, supply chain management, medical device safety, and future mobility, delivering real value to industries in their pursuit of resilient, sustainable, and intelligent systems. By leveraging advanced auditing methodologies, predictive analytics, and real-time insights, DQS supports organizations to future-proof their operations while demonstrating their commitment to excellence and responsible business practices. Our employees are the heart of DQS. With their professional excellence, team spirit, and passion, they make a difference—for our customers, for our further development, and for a sustainable future. At DQS, expertise meets appreciation and a working environment that promotes trust and responsibility. Diversity is part of our identity at DQS. In our global team, we promote a working environment in which different perspectives, experiences, and life paths are welcome—regardless of origin, gender, age, or individual abilities. Through flexible working models, fair development opportunities, and inclusive structures, we create space for everyone to reach their full potential. Want to gain more insight into our work, our values, and our people? Follow DQS on LinkedIn and discover what drives us—from customer projects to sustainability to career opportunities. We look forward to connecting with you!

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Sustainability, or related field (MBA preferred).
• Minimum 8 years of leadership experience with a proven record of building a sector commercial success in sustainability or related sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead commercial business development initiatives and achieve an ambitious revenue growth long range plan
• In-depth knowledge of sustainability standards, certification processes, and industry regulations.
• Proven skills in stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and policy development.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Global Divisional Lead in Germany and local management, set and deliver business goals for revenue growth and profitability for the sector.
• Develop and enhance sustainability product offerings and support sales and marketing teams in achieving commercial objectives.
• Liaise with existing and potential customers to increase business and secure new opportunities.
• Streamline the auditor qualification process to reduce time to qualification and improve success rates.
• Serve as primary liaison with the Global division to advance product offerings, achieve level 5 compliance, and drive business growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager