Global Circular Economy Lead (f/m/d)

The Opportunity 

Circular economy is a key enabler of reducing environmental impacts, improving supply chain resilience, resource efficiency and supporting our climate transition ambitions.

As our Global Circular Economy Lead, you will drive the development and implementation of circular economy initiatives across Hitachi Energy’s global operations and value chain. Working closely with colleagues across R&D, Supply Chain, Operations and Business Units, you will translate sustainability strategy into practical solutions that improve material efficiency, increase circularity performance and create long-term business value.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced sustainability professional who enjoys working across functions, influencing stakeholders globally and delivering measurable impact.

This position will report to Global Environmental Sustainability Manager in the global corporate sustainability function

How you’ll make an impact:

• Serve as the global focal point and technical subject matter expert for circular economy, providing strategic guidance across Business Units, Functions, and regions.

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Global Circularity Protocol across Hitachi Energy, including defining circularity methodologies, key performance indicators, and reporting working together with sustainability performance manager.

• Drive the development and deployment of Hitachi Energy's Low-Carbon and Circular Materials Framework, accelerating the adoption of recycled, renewable, low-carbon, and circular materials across the value chain.

• Collaborate with Supply Chain Management, Product Portfolio Management, Engineering, and Business Units to embed circular economy principles into products, services, operations, and business processes.

• Support in advancing circular product and service strategies, including eco-design, life extension, refurbishment, remanufacturing, reuse, recycling, value recovery, and digital product transparency.

• Develop tools, standards, methodologies, guidance, training materials, and best practices to enable consistent implementation of circular economy principles globally.

• Monitor market trends, customer expectations, competitor activities, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and industry best practices related to circular economy, sustainable materials, eco-design, critical raw materials, digital product passports, and sustainability reporting.

• Identify opportunities to create business value through circular business models, lifecycle services, sustainable materials innovation, and resource efficiency initiatives, while supporting Marketing & Sales organisation in translating circularity into compelling customer value propositions.

• Support the Global Environmental Sustainability Manager in environmental due diligence activities, including the assessment of environmental risks, impacts, dependencies, opportunities, and regulatory obligations associated with strategic initiatives, partnerships, acquisitions, suppliers, and emerging requirements.

• Prepare sustainability disclosures, reporting related to circular economy, resource use, materials, and ensuring alignment with applicable frameworks, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Your Background 

• Master’s degree in environmental science, Engineering, Sustainability, Circular Economy or a related field or MBA in circular business models.

• Significant experience in environmental sustainability, circular economy, within an industrial or manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of circular economy principles, material flows and product life cycle thinking.

• Experience leading global or cross-functional projects in a multinational organisation.

• Knowledge of sustainable product design, recycled materials, resource efficiency or waste management programmes.

• Understanding of sustainability reporting and disclosure frameworks and evolving circular economy regulations.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

• Ability to influence without formal authority in a global matrix organization.

• Fluency in English.

• Availability to travel up to 30% of the time 

What You’ll Bring

You are a collaborative and pragmatic sustainability professional who combines technical knowledge with strong stakeholder engagement skills. You enjoy turning ambitious sustainability goals into practical actions and working with diverse teams to deliver measurable environmental and business outcomes.

You are curious, proactive and motivated by creating innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable energy future.

 We believe great work thrives in an environment where people feel genuinely supported and fairly rewarded. Our benefits are designed to create real value for every individual – fueling engagement, performance, and growth. By prioritizing well‑being, we build a work place where personal and organizational success grow together.​

The minimum salary for this position in the location specified is as follows:​

• Italy: starting from 52,700 gross annual salary,

• Applicable CBA: Metalmeccanico

The final offer will be based on candidate location, skills and qualifications, experience, and aligned with internal pay structures.​

​This role may be open in multiple locations. If the salary information listed is not applicable for your current home location, salary details relevant to your location will be discussed with you at a later stage.​

Our benefit offering is tailored based on your country of employment and generally includes:​

• Competitive salary and incentives​

• Well-being and care ​

• Paid and unpaid leave​

• Flexible work options ​

• Benefits that support your financial security​

You will receive more specific information during the recruitment process.​