Director, Sustainability Product Lead, Americas.

Morgan Street•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Sustainability Product Lead, Americas is a senior regional leadership role within tms’s Global Sustainability team. The role shapes and delivers sustainable packaging priorities across the Americas, supporting client sustainability objectives across products and supply chains through strategy, operational delivery, advocacy and external engagement, reporting, supplier engagement, and regulatory and legislative tracking and analysis. The successful candidate will lead the regional sustainability team and partner closely with clients to develop and deploy sustainable packaging strategies and solutions. They will provide expert guidance on evolving regulations and legislation, engage suppliers, deliver against performance goals, and represent the organization at industry events. The role requires strong judgment, industry and commercial awareness, and the ability to align internal and external stakeholders around clear priorities and measurable outcomes. The Director will define regional advocacy and engagement priorities, translate client sustainability requirements into recommendations and action plans, and manage resources to support delivery and team capability. They will improve systems, tools, and processes for reporting, governance, and delivery; lead the Americas sustainability budget, including third-party provider spending; and contribute to global budget planning and ongoing financial management for the tms Sustainability function. Success includes establishing a prioritized Americas sustainability roadmap aligned with client goals, commercial realities, and emerging regulation; serving as a trusted strategic partner to the client; maintaining effective governance and reporting; anticipating regulatory and market changes and supplier capabilities; and developing a high-performing regional team.

Requirements

10+ years of relevant experience in sustainable packaging, product sustainability, supply chain sustainability, or a closely related field.
Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent practical experience.
Experience leading sustainable packaging strategy or transformation and advocacy strategy for a major brand, retailer, foodservice business, or complex client organization.
Strong client management and relationship skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and balance commercial, operational, and sustainability priorities.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with confidence working across matrixed, multi-stakeholder environments.
Previous people management experience, including coaching, prioritization, performance management, and team development.
Strong judgment, industry and commercial awareness, and ability to align stakeholders around clear priorities and measurable outcomes.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of the foodservice packaging industry, plastics or fiber value chains, and/or related advocacy experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the strategic direction for sustainable packaging across the Americas.
Provide subject matter expertise and senior-level leadership for client-led initiatives and cross-functional tms programs.
Track and interpret current and emerging regulations, legislation, industry and market trends, and packaging sustainability requirements.
Build and manage partnerships with external stakeholders, industry bodies, suppliers, and specialist partners.
Lead, coach, and develop a regional team of sustainability subject matter experts.
Lead the client relationship for sustainable packaging, including KPI delivery, progress reporting, and issue resolution.
Develop and leverage supplier relationships to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and support sustainability goals.
Define the external advocacy and engagement strategy and strategic priorities for the Americas markets.
Translate client sustainability requirements into recommendations, action plans, and decision-ready guidance for the region.
Prioritize and manage resources to support regional delivery, team capability, and stakeholder expectations.
Improve systems, tools, and processes for sustainability reporting, governance, and delivery across the Americas.
Lead delivery of the Americas sustainability budget, including oversight of third-party provider budgets and spending.
Contribute to global budget planning and ongoing financial management for the tms Sustainability function.
Present at key industry events and provide expert guidance on sustainable packaging.