Senior Manager

Who we are:
Founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives with our high quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment.  As a company driven by purpose and strong corporate values we pride ourselves to be listed among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.

The role:

As a Senior Manager in Sustainability with Kao, you’ll lead the development & implementation of Sustainability Communications for brands & products across our Consumer Care, Salon, and Molton Brown businesses. Your vital work will significantly elevate the image of our brands and build Kao’s Sustainability credentials among our consumers, customers/retailers, and salon partners. You will act as the leader in Sustainability Communication, and be the expert for all sectors. You’ll develop a Sustainability Communication Strategy and Sustainability Claims & Stories to be used by brands and on products, with the goal of maximising the potential of our Sustainability communications. You’ll act as the key liaison between Kao’s AEMEA Sustainability Department and the Consumer Care Business, leading and conducting key Consumer Care specific Sustainability activities as needed.    
You’ll also support the Department Head in special Sustainability-related projects, and as part of the Kao AEMEA Sustainability team, you’ll help to bring a spotlight to the importance, focus and efforts on Sustainability within the entire organization. 

This is a permanent, full time role offered with hybrid working out of our London or Darmstadt offices.

What you will do:

• Develop Sustainability Communication Strategies: Create future-focused communication plans for sustainability across brands and regions, ensuring they comply with local regulations.
• Understand and Optimize Sustainability Messaging: Stay updated on regulations, consumer trends, and competitor practices to craft impactful and region-specific sustainability stories.
• Create a Sustainability Communication Toolbox: Develop ready-to-use assets (e.g., claims, storyboards) for brands to customize and use across digital, packaging, and retail channels.
• Drive Innovation in Sustainability Messaging: Identify new opportunities to showcase sustainability efforts, such as supply chain credentials and partnerships.
• Be the Expert and Leader: Serve as the go-to specialist for sustainability communication across all sectors, continuously enhancing your knowledge and skills.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Act as the key link between Sustainability and Consumer Care sectors, ensuring alignment on sector needs and retailer sustainability programs.
• Champion Sustainability Internally and Externally: Lead internal communication and PR efforts to celebrate sustainability achievements and foster a culture of sustainability within the organization.

What you will need:

• 7+ years’ of work and leadership experience in brand marketing in beauty industry or personal care, with experience working pan-regionally (i.e. AEMEA)
• Demonstrated skills in developing strategies and implementing communication concepts and marketing programs with a consumer target audience
• Excellent leadership, teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead through influencing, expertise, trust and integrity
• Prior experience working with Sustainability or ESG is a strong plus
• Strong strategic, analytical and communication skills
• Strong eagerness to learn about the topics of Sustainability/ESG

How we work: Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.
What we offer: A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community. 
Want to learn more: If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/