VP - Circularity & Packaging Design

Role Overview

This role will oversee the organization’s reuse, and refill initiatives, while developing and managing material strategies that promote the design of recyclable and compostable packaging and food serviceware across producer portfolios. The VP, Circularity and Packaging Design will be responsible for advancing the development of design guidelines, performance standards, and incentive structures aligned with regulatory requirements (e.g., design for recyclability, design for compostability, post-consumer recycled (“PCR”) targets, and source reduction mandates).

The VP will lead cross-functional initiatives that integrate packaging design with recyclability and compostability requirements, ensuring alignment with collection, processing, and end market strategies. This role will also engage with producers and key industry representatives to drive adoption of circular design principles and scalable reuse and refill models across material categories.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in sustainable packaging design, material innovation, and circular economy strategy, combined with strong leadership and interest holder management capabilities. They should have a demonstrated ability in developing and implementing actionable industry-facing strategies, as well as experience working with producers, packaging engineers, and technical experts to influence packaging decisions at scale. This individual must be highly collaborative, able to work closely with internal leaders across collection, processing, and end market teams to ensure alignment across the value chain.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Implementation for Source Reduction, Reuse and Refill  

• OverseeCAA’s reuse and refill strategy, including identification of priority sectorsand existing collection andlogisticsinfrastructure, packaging formats, and system models to meet source reduction and reuse targets

• Define scalable approaches across residential, commercial, and B2B applications
• Convene and collaborate with producers and key industry interest holders to design, pilot,andadoptreuse/refill solutions
• Drive behavioral, operational,and market adoption of reuseandrefill modelsthrough targeted engagement and incentive structures

• Developandimplementincentive mechanisms forsource reduction that encouragedesired outcomes such as recyclability, reduced material use, and increased PCR

• Establish clear targets, success metrics, and reporting frameworks for source reduction, reuse, and refill initiatives

• Collaborate with the Compliance & Regulatory Affairs team to align reuse and source reduction strategies with current and emerging legislation

Circular Design and Material Strategy

• Develop and own the organization’s circular packaging design strategy, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and system capabilities
• Consultwith producers and key industry interest holders tobetter understand andpromotethe adoption ofrecyclableandcompostable packaging solutions
• Identifypriority materials and packaging formats for circular innovation and intervention
• Evaluateimpactsbetween materialdesign choices,cost,performance, andenvironmentalimpact to informstrategyand guidance

• Ensure packaging design strategies are aligned with collection, sortation, and end market capabilitiesbyadapting and designing responsive design requirementsto documented system constraints (e.g., MRF limitations, contamination risks)
  

Cross-Functional Leadership and Industry Engagement

• Lead cross-functional collaboration acrossprogram planning and operationsteams 
• Serve as a key external interface with producers, industry groups, and otherinterestholders to drive adoption of circular solutions at scale
• Partner with policy and regulatory teams to interpret evolving requirements and translate them into actionable strategies
• Establish governance, prioritization frameworks, and roadmaps to drive execution across initiatives
• Perform otherjob duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Thorough knowledge ofpackaging materials and formats,packaging design,and material strategy
• Experience advancing circular economy solutions, including reuse/refill systems
• Understanding of system requirements such aslogistics,infrastructure development, and infrastructure limitations 

• Strong understanding ofExtended Producer Responsibility.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data andidentifyactionable insights.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate withinterest holdersat all levels of the organization.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to build, develop,leadand engage strong teams, with direct or indirect reporting lines including remote employees. 
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment for rapid paceand withflexibility. Ideally understand and adapt to the startup nature of CAA.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Circular Economy,or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in sustainable packaging,material design and engineering,material strategy, or circular economy initiatives.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Fully Remote 
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factorsin accordance withapplicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills,knowledgeand experience.
• Reports To:Chief of Staff

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 listed below.