Role Overview
As part of the National Program Team, the Reuse/Refill Senior Manager will report to the Reuse/Refill Director and serve as a central leader, collaborating with the director and leading a team to define and operationalize CAA’s national and state-level reuse/refill strategy.
This role is responsible for translating CAA’s reuse/refill strategy into actionable, scalable, and financially viable program strategies across Food Serviceware, B2B and B2C systems. Acting as the connective tissue across modeling, infrastructure planning, policy requirements and in-market execution, this role will ensure CAA’s reuse/refill approach is cohesive, cost-effective, and aligned with state EPR obligations.
Key Responsibilities
National Strategy & Roadmap Development
- Work closely with the director to shape and advance CAA’s national and state-level reuse/refill strategy and roadmap across Food Serviceware, B2B and B2C models.
- Translate regulatory requirements and organizational goals into clear, prioritized program pathways for each state identifying opportunities for cross-state harmonization, standardization, and economies of scale.
Program Design & Funding Strategy
- Lead team to define and develop the infrastructure buildout plan, incentive design, reuse/refill model and format prioritization to accelerate the adoption of reuse/refill for each state.
- Define investment frameworks and funding strategies to ensure reuse/refill systems are cost-effective, scalable and maximize source reduction.
- Evaluate trade-offs across reuse models (e.g., closed vs. open loop, venue types, packaging formats) to guide decision-making.
- Define the implementation plan for each state’s reuse/refill strategy, collaborate with Data & Analytics team to define the reuse/refill budget, develop reporting.
Model Integration & Analytical Leadership
- Partner closely with the Principal Analyst to evolve and operationalize CAA’s reuse/refill financial model and ensure real-world inputs (RFI data, pilots, stakeholder insights) are systematically incorporated into modeling assumptions.
- Lead team to translate analytical outputs into strategic recommendations and program inputs.
Infrastructure & Ecosystem Development
- Lead team to assess current market capabilities and help shape CAA’s reuse/refill infrastructure strategy.
- Identify key gaps in the ecosystem and recommend targeted interventions or partnerships, with an eye toward expansion of infrastructure across different reuse/refill models (Food Serviceware, B2B and B2C packaging).
- Establish ecosystem standards, metrics, operating assumptions and reporting to fulfill individual state EPR obligations across different reuse/refill models while inputting into approaches for long-term harmonization and consistency.
Stakeholder Engagement & Thought Leadership
- Cultivate relationships with reuse service providers, trade associations, local government, NGOs, startups and other innovators in the reuse/refill space.
- Serve as a trusted technical and strategic advisor to producers, regulators, municipalities, NGOs, and reuse operators.
- Represent CAA, educate, train interest holders about CAA’s approach to reuse/refill at board meetings, public consults, conferences, working groups.
- Represent CAA in public forums, working groups, and industry discussions.
- Identify where external expertise is needed and scope/manage consultants to accelerate progress.
Market Intelligence & Continuous Improvement
- Lead team that monitors and provides input on proposed regulations and reuse/refill developments across states to inform best practices.
- Stay at the forefront of system innovation, policy evolution, and business model development.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills & Competencies
- Previous leadership, program management, implementation or operations experience in converting single use packaging to reusables.
- Strong systems thinking with the ability to connect strategy, operations, and financial viability.
- Deep understanding of reuse/refill models and system design trade-offs.
- Ability to translate complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and coalition-building skills across public and private sectors.
- Experience building, issuing and evaluating RFI and RFP preferred.
- Excellent influencing, verbal and written communication skills. Proven ability to influence and shape people’s perspectives.
- Strong time management & prioritization skills in a fast-paced & evolving area
- Ability to quickly learn and contribute to policies, projects and programs being developed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Data Analytics, Engineering, Operations/Supply Chain, Business, Sustainability or similar). Master’s degree preferred.
- 7+ years of experience in reuse/refill, recycling, sustainability, waste management, supply chain, packaging innovation or related field. People management experience preferred.
- Demonstrated experience designing, implementing or scaling reuse/refill or analogous systems.
- Strong experience with financial modeling, cost analysis or program economics
- Experience with reusable food serviceware systems strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with reverse logistics, infrastructure planning and systems operations.
Compensation & Other Information
- Location: Fully Remote
- Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and experience.
- Reports To: Director of Reuse & Refill
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.
