Head of Sustainability

Lead Sustainability, ESG, HSE, Quality Management, and Certification Compliance for a leading upstream palm oil company in Indonesia. Reporting to the CEO Upstream, you will drive sustainability strategy, oversee RSPO/ISPO compliance, engage with government, NGOs, customers, and investors, and lead a national sustainability team. Requires 10–15+ years' experience in palm oil sustainability and strong leadership capabilities.

Head of Sustainability

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Jakarta

Keywords: Sustainability, ESG, HSE, Quality Management, Certification Compliance, RSPO, ISPO, Palm Oil Industry, Stakeholder Engagement, Leadership

A leading upstream palm oil organisation in Indonesia is seeking a Head of Sustainability at VP level to champion its ESG, Sustainability, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Quality Management, and Certification Compliance initiatives. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape sustainability strategy on a national scale while working closely with regulators, NGOs, customers, and investors. Reporting directly to the CEO Upstream, you will be responsible for guiding large-scale operations and ensuring compliance with RSPO and ISPO certifications. The position is based in Jakarta but requires frequent travel to Malaysia and operational sites across Indonesia. You will have the chance to make a significant impact on the future of sustainable palm oil production, supported by a collaborative leadership team and a robust network of professionals dedicated to responsible business practices. With attractive benefits including biannual bonuses, comprehensive insurance coverage, festive allowances, and travel support, this is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced sustainability leader ready to drive meaningful change.

• Shape and implement sustainability strategy at a national level within one of Indonesia’s largest palm oil operations, influencing industry standards and best practices.
• Engage regularly with senior leadership, government ministries, NGOs, investors, and customers to ensure alignment with evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations.
• Enjoy generous benefits such as twice-yearly bonuses, comprehensive insurance coverage, festive allowances, and extensive travel opportunities across Southeast Asia.

What you'll do:

As Head of Sustainability, you will play a central role in shaping the future direction of sustainable palm oil operations across Indonesia. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve developing forward-thinking strategies that address complex ESG challenges while ensuring compliance with both local regulations and global certification standards. You will work collaboratively with internal teams spread across numerous estates and mills as well as external partners such as government officials, NGOs, investors, and customers. Success in this role requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to inspire your team towards shared goals. Frequent travel will allow you to maintain close oversight of operations while building valuable relationships throughout Southeast Asia. By fostering a culture rooted in safety, quality management, and environmental stewardship, you will help set new benchmarks for responsible business practices within the palm oil sector.

• Develop and execute comprehensive sustainability strategies that align with both local regulations and international best practices for palm oil production.
• Lead ESG initiatives across 60 estates and 20 mills covering over 180,000 hectares of planted area, ensuring all activities meet or exceed industry standards.
• Oversee HSE programmes to foster a culture of safety and environmental responsibility throughout all operational sites in Indonesia.
• Manage quality management systems to guarantee consistent product excellence while maintaining strict adherence to certification requirements.
• Drive successful RSPO and ISPO certification processes through hands-on involvement in audits, documentation, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with Indonesian government ministries by staying abreast of regulatory changes and advocating for responsible industry practices.
• Represent the organisation in external forums by engaging constructively with NGOs, investors, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO Upstream and senior leadership team to report progress on sustainability goals and recommend strategic adjustments as needed.
• Mentor and guide a diverse team of 50–100 sustainability professionals distributed across multiple locations to achieve shared objectives.
• Coordinate frequent site visits between Jakarta headquarters, regional offices in Aceh and Sulawesi, and Malaysia HQ to ensure seamless implementation of sustainability programmes.

What you bring:

To excel as Head of Sustainability in this prominent palm oil organisation, you will bring deep-rooted experience from similar roles where you have successfully navigated complex regulatory environments while advancing ambitious ESG agendas. Your background should include direct involvement in achieving RSPO & ISPO certifications—demonstrating not just theoretical knowledge but practical application under real-world conditions. You are adept at building trust-based relationships with diverse stakeholders ranging from government officials to grassroots NGOs. Your interpersonal skills enable you to unite large teams around common objectives even when operating remotely or across borders. Advanced English communication abilities are crucial given the multinational nature of your interactions. A history of implementing robust quality management systems alongside effective HSE programmes will further distinguish your candidacy. Above all else, your commitment to ethical business practices ensures that every initiative undertaken contributes positively both locally and globally.

• Extensive experience—at least 10–15 years—in Sustainability/ESG/HSE roles within the palm oil industry is essential for success in this position.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise managing RSPO & ISPO certification processes from audit preparation through ongoing compliance is non-negotiable.
• Proven track record engaging effectively with external stakeholders including government ministries (especially within Indonesia), NGOs, investors, and major customers.
• Strategic thinking abilities combined with practical operational execution skills are required to translate vision into measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional leadership skills are necessary for managing large teams (50–100 people) across geographically dispersed locations while nurturing collaboration.
• Advanced English proficiency is mandatory given regular interaction with international partners; additional language skills are advantageous.
• Experience overseeing quality management systems within agricultural or plantation settings is highly desirable for this role.
• Familiarity with health & safety protocols relevant to large-scale agribusiness operations will be beneficial for driving HSE excellence.
• Ability to travel frequently between Jakarta headquarters, regional sites in Aceh/Sulawesi/Malaysia HQ is required due to the scope of operations managed.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of Indonesia’s most respected names in upstream palm oil production—renowned for its unwavering commitment to responsible growth and sustainable development. With operations spanning more than 180,000 hectares across 60 estates and 20 mills, it offers unparalleled scale coupled with a genuine dedication to environmental stewardship. Employees benefit from a supportive leadership culture that values open communication and professional development at every stage of their career journey. The company’s inclusive approach welcomes talent from diverse backgrounds while providing generous benefits such as biannual performance bonuses, comprehensive insurance plans for peace of mind, festive allowances during key holidays (THR), as well as travel support for those overseeing cross-border projects. By joining this team you become part of a forward-thinking network that actively shapes industry standards while making tangible contributions toward global sustainability goals.

What's next:

If you are passionate about driving positive change within the palm oil sector at scale—and possess the expertise outlined above—this is your moment to step into an influential leadership role that truly matters.

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; shortlisted candidates will be contacted promptly for interviews beginning immediately.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.