Project Manager - Bio-Based Construction Logistics

What You Will Do

As Bio-based Construction Logistics Project Manager at the Kuehne Climate Center (KCC), you will be responsible for implementing projects that support the development of efficient logistics systems for the transition to and scaling of bio-based construction. This will involve analytical and action-oriented work. The initial focus will be on supply chains of timber, timber products, and mass timber on their way from forests into buildings. You will work with the Program Lead and multiple external delivery partners ranging from academia to industry to ensure the projects contribute to making logistics an enabler of the transition in the building and construction sector.

What You Will Do

As Bio-based Construction Logistics Project Manager at the Kuehne Climate Center (KCC), you will be responsible for implementing projects that support the development of efficient logistics systems for the transition to and scaling of bio-based construction. This will involve analytical and action-oriented work. The initial focus will be on supply chains of timber, timber products, and mass timber on their way from forests into buildings. You will work with the Program Lead and multiple external delivery partners ranging from academia to industry to ensure the projects contribute to making logistics an enabler of the transition in the building and construction sector.

As Bio-based Construction Logistics Project Manager you will have responsibility for:

• Assuring the successful implementation of KCC’s applied research and projects in bio-based construction logistics, on the global level and with a focus on emerging regions
• Leading the development of analytical models and frameworks to deliver insights and recommendations for efficient supply chain logistics
• Designing and delivering interventions with and for industry actors and the wider ecosystem
• Identifying and engaging with a range of diverse stakeholders in the respective project work
• Steering project meetings, managing project timelines, and budgets
• Presenting project activities externally (workshops, conferences, webinars etc.)
• Developing content for communications (e.g., graphics, reports, storylines, posts) and working with the KCC Communications Team for impactful delivery
• Contributing to the strategic development of KCC’s project portfolio in supply chain logistics for low-carbon construction materials.
• Contributing to internal projects and business development initiatives

The KCC is a subsidiary of the Kühne Foundation. Our mission is to accelerate climate-compatible development within logistics (Climate Action in Logistics) and through logistics systems (Logistics for Climate Action). We do this through applied research & thought leadership, project & advisory work, and training & capacity building, with a focus on countries of the Global South.

KCC’s headquarters are located in Hamburg’s vibrant HafenCity. From here, we manage and support all our international projects, actively partnering with our regional teams and with institutions from around the globe. The role is based in the headquarters in Hamburg.

You’re good at

• Working collaboratively with a variety of different partners and stakeholders
• Outcome-oriented planning and action, working backwards from objectives
• Anticipating challenges early on and addressing them with practical solutions
• Communicating effectively with different audiences
• Public speaking (meetings, workshops, conferences)
• Understanding systems and how to change them
• Working independently and in small international teams, also remotely
• Displaying cultural sensitivity in your conduct
• Keeping multiple balls reliably in the air for parallel assignments
• Coping with dynamically evolving work in a startup environment

You bring

• 7 years of experience in sectors such as the timber industry, bio-based construction materials, or building development.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field (preferably engineering or scientific with strong management and economics notions)
• Solid understanding of supply chains and the building and construction industry eco-systems
• Strong interest or experience in solving logistics challenges around bio-based construction
• Demonstrated analytical skills as well as familiarity with modelling and scenario approaches
• Experience in project management with multiple partners and target audiences
• Ability to work in English and at least one other language
• Can-do mentality, independent work style, and willingness to roll up sleeves
• Ability to connect with remote team and leadership
• Demonstrated commitment or experience of working with low- and middle-income countries is an advantage
• Availability to travel internationally
• Unlimited eligibility to work in Germany

As part of a small but fast-growing and multi-disciplinary team, you have the opportunity to shape KCC’s work in the area of Logistics for the Industry Transition

You will work with

• The Program Lead
• The KCC Modelling and Scaling Teams
• The KCC Communication Team
• KCC’s international partners (business partners, universities, NGOs, government agencies, financial institutions)

What You Can Expect

• Work in an enthusiastic and highly motivated international team committed to making a positive impact on climate
• A high degree of creative freedom
• High agility and speed of implementation
• A stimulating and diverse range of work within a strong Foundation network
• Opportunity for personal growth and professional development driven by your own initiative and engagement
• Option to work from home for up to two days per week

Additional Information

About the Kühne Foundation

The KCC is a subsidiary of the Kuehne Foundation in Schindellegi, Switzerland. Established in 1976 by the Kühne family and is one of the largest foundations in the German-speaking world. As an operational foundation it is involved in the areas of logistics, medicine, culture and, since the beginning of 2023, climate action. The Foundation is independent, operational and international.

About Us

The non-profit Kühne Foundation was established by the Kühne family in Switzerland in 1976 and is one of the largest foundations in the German-speaking world. The foundation focuses on education and training as well as research and science in logistics and the transportation industry, it maintains a medical campus with two large research programs in allergology and cardiology, and it supports festivals, opera houses and concert halls in Europe. In the area of climate, the foundation develops and implements innovative ideas on how the transport and logistics sector can support more climate-friendly and sustainable development. You can find out more about our climate projects and activities on our LinkedIn profile.