Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
The Role
The primary objective of Global Environmental Affairs is to provide expert consultation in environmental compliance to Eastman's global manufacturing operations by delivering strategic and tactical support that embraces and converts the complexity of global environmental compliance into value for Eastman. In support of this objective, the Environmental Engineer– EMEA has the depth and breadth of expertise to deliver strategic and tactical environmental expertise to Eastman’s European manufacturing sites. Additionally, the Environmental Engineer – EMEA will periodically provide expert environmental support to corporate ESG, Sustainability, and HSE Audit initiatives. The position will be based at a regional office or manufacturing site in Langenfeld/Leuna, Germany, Ghent, Belgium, Rotterdam, The Netherlands or Madrid, Spain.
Responsibilities
- Primary technical expertise focused on environmental compliance for manufacturing sites in the European region including but not limited to countries such as Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
- Champion site environmental compliance efforts, including the identification of permit needs, applying for and obtaining required permits, identifying permit modifications that support operations, and implementing policies and management systems to ensure compliance with permit and regulatory requirements.
- Enable the initiatives of the GHSE organization by serving as a site resource and mentor for practices, programs, digital solutions, and the analysis/resolution of issues in environmental compliance, environmental performance, data collection, and reporting, which may involve complex analyses or solutions and onsite support.
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of current, proposed, and promulgated environmental regulations for EMEA sites to assess the impact on current and future activities.
- Lead major local and multi-site environmental topic teams with complex risk assessments.
- Collaborate with external and internal clients and business partners to develop cost-effective compliance strategies for new regulations, growth projects, emission reduction projects, capital projects, improvement projects, and operational changes.
- Support enterprise in developing and maintaining corporate environmental policies and procedures, ensuring consistent interpretation and implementation of environmental requirements across sites as appropriate.
- Support CSRD, CDP, or other ESG frameworks with data collection and analysis to enhance sustainability reporting practices.
- Regular on-site engagement with environmental staff at EMEA manufacturing sites.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering field required, with manufacturing experience required.
- Exceptional leadership and teamwork skills, with ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed environment.
- Proven environmental expertise with 10+ years of environmental regulatory compliance experience, including addressing regulatory/compliance issues at manufacturing sites in Europe, either within direct manufacturing management or in a related service organization. Experience in the chemical industry and/or multinational corporations is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of European environmental regulations, along with recognized and generally accepted international standards. Experience with applicable national and local regulatory processes and current environmental practices is preferred.
- Self-starter with effective communication skills (both verbal and written) and the ability to network and interact effectively with operations, permitting agencies, regulators, and compliance officers.
- Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of additional European languages (such as Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Italian, or Russian) is advantageous.
- Approximately 10-20% travel (primarily within the EU, with potential international travel).
Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.
Eastman is committed to creating a highly engaged workforce, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.
