Sector Sales Manager- Sustainability

Your role

JOB TITLE: Sector Sales Manager- Sustainability

DEPARTMENT: Sales

REPORTS TO: VP of Sales

JOB OBJECTIVES:

A driven and commercially sharp Business Development Manager / Sustainability Sales Manager to help grow our sustainability assurance, verification, and audit services across the United States.

This is a hunter role. The right person will know how to create opportunities, open doors, build pipeline, and turn sustainability market demand into real revenue. We are looking for someone who understands ESG and sustainability from an audit, verification, certification, and assurance perspective, not just broad ESG consulting language.

You will work closely with the VP of Sales, Head of Sustainability, marketing, lead generation support, and technical service teams to identify prospects, develop qualified opportunities, and close new business across a broad range of industries.

This role is ideal for someone who is self-starting, persistent, commercially disciplined, and comfortable selling both high-volume transactional services and larger strategic opportunities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop and execute a U.S. sales strategy for DQS sustainability services, with a focus on new business generation.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of sustainability audit, verification, and assurance opportunities.
• Identify, pursue, and close new clients across industries including manufacturing, consumer goods, medical equipment, electronics, packaging, chemicals, automotive, food, logistics, and other sectors.
• Sell DQS sustainability services including:
  • GHG emissions verification
    ISO 14064 verification
    ISO 14067 product carbon footprint verification
    CSRD / ESRS-related assurance and report verification
    AA1000 assurance
    ISCC Plus certification
    Social compliance audits, including SMETA, RBA, SA8000, and customized code of conduct audits
    CDP and EcoVadis support services
    ISO 50001 energy management certification
• Engage with senior decision makers, including sustainability, quality, procurement, compliance, operations, supply chain, legal, and executive leaders.
• Convert marketing-generated leads, qualified opportunities, referrals, cold outreach, and strategic account targets into active sales opportunities.
• Work with technical experts to scope client needs and develop commercially sound proposals.
• Manage opportunities, pipeline activity, and client communication through HubSpot.
• Represent DQS at conferences, webinars, industry events, and client meetings.
• Track market trends, regulatory drivers, competitor activity, and customer needs related to sustainability assurance and verification.
• Collaborate with internal teams to refine sales messaging, service positioning, and go-to-market campaigns.
• Meet or exceed sales activity, pipeline, and revenue targets.

Your profile

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED:

• University degree (Equivalent to a U.S Bachelor’s degree) in Business, Marketing, Technical, or related field plus three years of outside sales experience.
• Experience selling sustainability, ESG, audit, certification, verification, assurance, or related professional services.
• Proven ability to generate new business through prospecting, relationship building, lead follow-up, and strategic account development.
• Strong understanding of sustainability market drivers, including carbon reporting, emissions verification, responsible sourcing, supply chain compliance, social compliance, and sustainability disclosures.
• Experience selling to mid-market and enterprise clients.
• Ability to engage with senior-level stakeholders, including C-level and executive decision makers.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and proposal development skills.
• Self-starter with strong follow-through and comfort working in a remote environment.
• Ability to manage a sales pipeline using CRM tools.
• Willingness to travel 20–30%.

BEHAVIORS:

• Continuous improvement mindset for effectiveness and efficiency
• Leadership – by example and mentoring
• Ongoing feedback, up or down the organization – to either acknowledge performance or to initiate improvement
• Internal and external customer focus and responsiveness
• Communicate, regularly to your team and the organization
• Solve problems, propose solutions, and knock down barriers to success
• Collaborate across the organization
• Always accountable for performance
• Flexibility and openness to new ideas, solutions, and reaction to the market
• Recognizes risks and mitigates if necessary

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

Why Work With Us

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.

About Us

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 People

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 & Inclusion

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.

Follow Us

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!