Recycling System Optimization Manager - Oregon

Vision
 Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is the leading Producer Responsibility Organization advancing the circular economy through extended producer responsibility (EPR) for paper and packaging.

Mission
 CAA helps producers comply with EPR laws, provides harmonized best-in-class services, and partners with governments, businesses, and communities to reduce waste and increase recycling.

CAA ACTIvE Values 

• Accountability: We take ownership of our actions, holding ourselves and others to the highest standards. We ensure transparency and reliability in all that we do by fulfilling our commitments and embracing responsibility.
• Collaboration: We work together harmoniously, drawing on diverse perspectives and skills to achieve common goals. By sharing knowledge and supporting one another, we enhance our collective effectiveness to deliver exceptional services.
• Trust & Integrity: We act with honesty, ethics, and dependability, building relationships founded on mutual respect. Our actions are consistently aligned with our values, creating a trustworthy environment.
• Innovation: We drive continuous improvement by embracing creativity and change, aiming to reduce waste and advance the circular economy through experimentation and forward-thinking.
• Empowerment: We empower our team with the resources, autonomy, and support necessary for success, fostering growth and trust in one another’s abilities to achieve excellence.

Background

Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a 501(c)3, became the first U.S. Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for paper and packaging in 2022, and in less than a year was selected by California, Colorado, and Oregon to represent producers and meet the requirements of their laws. The organization is poised to deliver best-in-class compliance services, scale innovation, and build systems that help both companies and consumers waste less and recycle more in these states, and in other states that have passed or will pass EPR laws in the future. 

Working with CAA presents an opportunity to be on the front edge of recycling system innovations that will have a meaningful and lasting impact. As a member of the CAA team, you will support the organization’s work with our 20 Founding Members who are leaders in the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries; companies (“producers”) whose packaging will be managed under these new laws; and a diverse array of stakeholders whose collaboration will be critical to delivering on the requirements of U.S. EPR laws and creating a circular economy for paper and packaging. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven, big thinkers to help us realize the full potential of the nation’s first EPR laws. 

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Oregon Recycling Manager, the Recycling System Optimization Manager, manages relationships with local governments (LGs) and service providers. The manager will lead negotiations on service expansion funding, oversee investments and measure the effects of investments. The manager will serve as the primary point of contact for communities making the transition to collecting the products on the Uniform Statewide Collection List (USCL).

Primary Responsibilities

• Develops a deep understanding of the terms of Circular Action Alliance Master Services Agreements (MSA) and Statements of Work (SoW) for contracts as well as the regulatory requirements associated with procurement and operationalization of contracts. 
• With oversight from the Recycling Manager, this role, with LGs and service providers to finalize contracts that outline the investments that each community will receive to enhance current recycling infrastructure in these communities. 
• Gathers and manages comprehensive program and financial data, and ensures its accuracy and completeness, to help:

1.     inform competitive compensation offers;
2.     facilitate timely and well considered responses to contract terms and condition changes during the negotiation process;
3.    support short- and long-term strategic planning activities; and
4.    ensure regulatory compliance. 

• Oversees the deployment of funding and manages the placement of orders for infrastructure improvements. Manage data collection and reporting.
• Serves as the point of contact for LGs and service providers seeking funding for cart replacements that include recycled content. 
• Coordinates with the Recycling Manager to ensure commingled recycle processing facilities (CRPFs) are ready to receive and effectively manage increased volumes as communities seek to make the transition to the USCL.
• Responsible for tracking and capturing key metrics on community USCL transitions.
• Collaborate with technical assistance staff from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) working with to prepare for USCL transitions. 
• Ensure new infrastructure investments are successfully integrated into the existing recycling operations. 
• Implements policies and procedures that will improve day-to-day operations.
• Plans, directs, implements, evaluates, monitors and forecasts budgets and costs in each work area to achieve financial objectives.
• Conducts risk assessments; reports identified risks to management; provides recommendations for risk mitigation.
• Communicates and collaborates with the project team and staff.
• Works with the appropriate resources to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, specifications, and best practices.
• Manages information necessary for quarterly and annual reporting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Successfully executes areas of responsibility while ensuring work aligns with team goals.
• Thinks strategically and executes operationally while balancing priorities and outcomes.
• Effectively collaborates with key stakeholders, serving as a resource to ensure successful delivery of services. 
• Adept at influencing and leading change by envisioning, articulating and successfully executing operational strategies aligned to strategic objectives while focusing on long-term objectives and short-term priorities. 
• Builds relationships and teams thanks to collaborative and respectful interpersonal skills. 
• Uses professional and effective judgment and decision-making skills rooted in logic and sound reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternate approaches, solutions, or conclusions. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic environment where change, growth and innovation are a constant.
• Experience working in a complex, multi-faceted environment with several competing priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, including SharePoint, Teams, Visio, and Monday.com.
• Excellent attention to detail, analytical, problem solving, planning, and execution skills.
• Effective communications skills which can build relationships with communities, internal CAA teams and at all levels in the CAA organizational structure.
• Team player with a professional, disciplined, and self-directed approach. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc.)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in related field, which may include Business Administration or professional designation from a recognized procurement organization, Engineering, Sustainability or related field required.
• Has direct working knowledge of the recycling system in Oregon, with a minimum of 3 years of experience working with local governments and/or service providers delivering recycling services.
• Experience leading program innovation or start-ups preferred. 
• Has a track record of successful team collaboration.

Physical Requirements: 

• Includes travel to meet with stakeholders, including local governments and haulers.
• Must reside in Oregon.

Compensation and Other Information:

• Location:  Initially Fully Remote (Applicants must reside in the state of OR).
• Salary range is $85,000 – $95,000 based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and work location. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off.
• Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org.
• For questions, please email careers@circularactionalliance.org