Sustainability Engineer

Why join us?
Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of HermanMiller means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows HermanMiller to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Serves as the main liaison between the Sustainability team and cross-functional European teams to provide sustainability leadership, guidance and expertise throughout Europe and United Kingdom. Develop strategies to work towards MillerKnoll (MK) 2030 Sustainability goals for reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and sourcing better materials. Responsible for supporting multi-functional teams in the successful design, development, commercialisation, and/or maintenance of MillerKnoll products, following the established Design for Environment (DfE) protocol and in alignment with the product strategy encompassing current and emerging product applications. 
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Applies basic supply chain cost, value stream capabilities, and economic principles.
Applies learned engineering skills to work assignments.
Employs problem-solving skills and executes solutions to problems independently.
Applies originality, ingenuity, and knowledge of other disciplines in solving basic technical and compliance issues.
Coaches basic sustainability engineering concepts and DfE processes and protocol across the MillerKnoll network.
Completes sustainability engineering tasks within the oversight of leadership.
Follows engineering and quality processes.
Seeks approval of budget owner using an appropriate request process.
Identify complex problems, research, develop, evaluate, and implement creative solutions.
Project management experience is essential for most assignments.
Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives.
 
 
Additional Essential Functions
Create or enhance guidelines, checklists, policies, procedures, and other related program content, as needed, to align with best practices and common frameworks, enabling MillerKnoll to execute seamless Design for Environment (DfE) analysis to support LCA and EPD declarations.
Develop a deep understanding of global sustainability standards and green building standards, with specific competency around common European standards.
Supports assigned global New Product commercialisation (NPC) launches while utilising key sustainability databases and tools (i.e. Compliance Map, or CMAP). This includes analysis of material and chemical formulations within product bills of materials and distributing campaigns throughout the supply chain to ensure global chemical and DfE product compliance.
Participate/lead cross-functional project teams as the sustainability subject matter expert, supporting multiple projects simultaneously.
Represent MillerKnoll professionally at customer meetings and presentations.
Acts as regional subject matter expert for material chemistry, helps maintain the MillerKnoll Restricted Substance List, and supports overall corporate sustainability goals.
Works closely with and encourages team participation across all functional areas within MillerKnoll, focusing on customers, field sales and supply chain network.
 
 
QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Chemical, Material Science, Environmental or Product Engineering or relevant Environmental Discipline preferred.
Engineering/Technical degree from an accredited program or 2-year technical degree in related field with 5 years of applicable engineering experience.
2-4 years of professional engineering experience or 0-3 years of speciality engineering experience, applicable internship/co-op experience, and experience with participating and leading projects.
 
Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated understanding of ESG/environment/sustainable business practices and understand how decisions impact business results.
Must be able to assess process concepts to determine where continuous improvement opportunities exist.
General commercial market awareness and familiarity; ability to prioritise strategic sustainability and compliance opportunities based on market size / commercial revenue by country data 
Must have a basic knowledge of materials and chemistry.
Strong interpersonal, leadership, presentation and problem-solving skills required.
Requires initiative, business acumen, adaptability and tenacity to persevere in challenging assignments.
Must have the ability to work with MK sales functions and effectively lead customers to solutions that meet their desired sustainability objectives.
Ability to travel up to 25% (domestic and international) of the time.
Must be able to perform all essential functions of the position with or without accommodations.
 
Additional Skills and Abilities
Fluent in both English and Italian languages (preferred)
Strong presentation skills required
Ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organisation and develop strong business relationship.
Able to influence across functions, and communicate clearly and effectively, translating complex concepts for a range of audiences
Ability to assess priorities and determine course of action with minimal day-to-day supervision and be able to anticipate, recognise, and respond effectively to changes, which affect project plans.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use office automation/communication software and tools currently being used in the MK office environment.
 
 

Who We Hire?
Simply put, we hire everyone. HermanMiller is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at [email protected].