Sustainability Programme Manager Lara Coutinho has a new role as Supply Chain Sustainability Manager for the Quanex group, which now includes the brands ERA and Zoo Hardware.

Following Quanex’s acquisition of Tyman in August 2024, Coutinho, who has more than 12 years’ experience in leading sustainability strategies, is expected to play a key role in advancing Quanex’s corporate sustainability strategy across its global supply chain. 

Her immediate key focuses include reducing the company's Scope 3 emissions – indirect emissions from a company’s entire value chain – in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. 

She will also be focusing on embedding leading sustainable practices and policies into waste-management-related activities.

In the longer term, she will support Quanex sites worldwide in developing robust frameworks to guide sustainability-focused initiatives. 

This will see Coutinho working closely with the global procurement team, with responsibility for developing, implementing, and managing initiatives that align with the Group’s overall sustainability goals.

Coutinho said: “What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to create a tangible impact across the entire Quanex supply chain, not just through stronger systems and reporting, but by making sustainability goals shared and actionable across the value chain. 

“Collaborating with sourcing teams, suppliers, and internal stakeholders shows me that sustainability is most powerful when it’s embedded into both how we work and why we work.

“My focus has always been on translating strategy into action, embedding ESG principles in ways that deliver real business value, reduce risk, and drive long-term positive impact.

“At Quanex, I look forward to continuing this work by helping build a more resilient, responsible, and future-ready supply chain.”

In her previous role, Coutinho acted as a mentor to Ryan Hammond, who joined as a Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability apprentice. He will now progress into the role of Sustainability Specialist - UK, taking more of a leading role on projects relating to Quanex’s sustainability ambitions across its UK sites.