Manager, Extended Producer Responsibility

Bausch + Lomb • US-NY-Rochester, NY

3d • $105,000 - $165,000

About The Position

The Global Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program Manager will spearhead Bausch + Lomb’s worldwide compliance with EPR regulations for product packaging and end-of-life stewardship. This new role is critical for ensuring that B+L meets all current and emerging EPR requirements across Europe, North America, and other regions, while driving internal initiatives to reduce packaging waste in line with our sustainability goals. Reporting to the Global Vice President of EHS & Sustainability, you will lead cross-functional efforts – partnering with Regulatory Affairs, Packaging Engineering, Global Product Supply, Supply Chain, R&D, Quality and other teams – to develop strategies, systems, and processes that fulfill EPR obligations and advance our commitment to sustainable packaging.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Packaging, Sustainability, Engineering, Public Policy, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). Educational background or training should provide a solid understanding of environmental regulations and sustainability principles.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in environmental compliance, product stewardship, or sustainability program management, including international/regional scope in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or consumer goods industries preferred. Proven track record in managing regulatory compliance initiatives or sustainability projects across multiple jurisdictions is required. Experience specifically with packaging EPR compliance or waste/recycling regulations is highly valued.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of extended producer responsibility frameworks and waste regulations. Familiarity with the EU and UK packaging waste directives (and the new EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation), U.S. state EPR laws for packaging (such as those in Oregon, California, etc.), and similar global EPR schemes. Ability to interpret legislation and translate legal requirements into business actions is critical.
• Packaging / Product Stewardship: Familiarity with packaging design, materials, or life-cycle assessment is an advantage. While deep packaging engineering expertise is not required, exposure to sustainable packaging development or initiatives (e.g., recyclable packaging design, material substitution projects) will help in guiding cross-functional teams. Experience with product stewardship programs (such as electronics recycling, take-back schemes, or hazardous waste management) is also a plus.
• Project Management Skills: Excellent project management and organizational skills. Able to lead complex projects and cross-functional teams through planning, execution, and change management. A demonstrated ability to manage timelines, budgets, and multiple priorities is essential. PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or similar training is a plus, reflecting the emphasis on strong project leadership.
• Analytical & Data Skills: Strong analytical skills with experience managing large data sets related to products or materials. Proficiency in Excel and ability to learn specialized EPR reporting tools or sustainability software to manage packaging data. Keen attention to detail to ensure data accuracy for compliance reporting.
• Communication & Influence: Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills. Capable of effectively communicating complex regulatory information to diverse audiences – from technical staff to executives – and of preparing clear reports and presentations. Proven ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority is required. This includes negotiation skills to drive consensus on sustainability initiatives across departments.
• Strategic Thinking: Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate future regulatory trends and proactively plan for compliance. Enthusiasm for sustainability and the circular economy, and an ability to connect day-to-day compliance tasks with the company’s larger ESG objectives.

Responsibilities

• Monitor Global Regulations: Continuously track and interpret extended producer responsibility laws and packaging waste regulations in all relevant markets (e.g., EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, UK, and EU country-specific EPR rules, U.S. state EPR laws, Canada, APAC). Develop strategies to comply with new or changing requirements and advise senior leadership on their implications for our products and packaging.
• EPR Compliance Program Leadership: Establish and lead a cross-functional EPR compliance program to ensure B+L meets its producer obligations globally. Coordinate a team of subject-matter experts and decision-makers across all business units – including R&D, Packaging Engineering, Marketing, Global Supply, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory Affairs and EHS+S – to implement necessary processes and packaging changes. This includes formally defining program governance, roles, timelines, and key deliverables.
• Data Management & Reporting: Develop and manage robust systems for collecting, tracking, and reporting packaging data required under EPR schemes. Ensure accurate calculation of packaging material volumes, recyclability, and fee obligations in each jurisdiction. Oversee the timely preparation and submission of EPR reports and payments to regulatory bodies or producer responsibility organizations (PROs) in all covered countries (e.g., semiannual packaging submissions in the UK, filings across 24 EU countries, Canadian federal plastics registry, U.S. state program registrations). Maintain a central repository of compliance documentation.
• External Liaison: Function as the primary liaison with external EPR compliance partners and agencies. This includes managing relationships with PROs and consultants that assist with EPR reporting (for example, our partners for UK and EU packaging compliance). Represent B+L in industry groups or forums on packaging sustainability and EPR. Proactively address any audits, inquiries, or non-compliance issues by regulators, and ensure our participation in collective schemes is effective and up to date.
• Packaging Sustainability & Waste Reduction: In close collaboration with the Sustainability and Packaging teams, drive initiatives to reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability in line with both regulatory requirements and B+L’s internal sustainability targets. Leverage EPR data and feedback (e.g., fee structures that penalize hard-to-recycle materials) to identify opportunities for packaging redesign – such as material light weighting, increasing recycled content, eliminating unnecessary components, or adopting reusable packaging solutions. Support cross-functional projects to achieve the corporate objective that all packaging is reusable or recyclable by 2030.
• Policy Implementation & Training: Ensure internal awareness and compliance with relevant company policies and standards related to sustainable packaging and EPR (e.g., Policy 32: Sustainable Business, which mandates optimizing packaging and minimizing environmental impact). Develop training and guidance for regional teams and business units on EPR obligations – for instance, educate marketing and product teams on design requirements (such as new labeling or recycled content rules) and train supply chain teams on data reporting processes. Clearly communicate the compliance steps and strategy to all stakeholders to foster accountability.
• Metrics and Reporting to Leadership: Define KPIs and track the performance of B+L’s EPR compliance program. Monitor metrics such as number of reports filed on time, packaging volume reductions achieved, recycling rates improved, and compliance status by market. Regularly report progress and risk updates to EHS&S leadership and governance committees, highlighting how EPR efforts are contributing to our broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. Prepare summary reports or presentations for executive leadership and the Board as needed, especially regarding major milestones or resource/budget needs for EPR compliance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with related sustainability initiatives and compliance areas. For example, coordinate with the team managing product take-back programs (such as B+L’s ONE by ONE contact lens recycling program and pharmaceutical drug take-back partnerships) to ensure a cohesive approach to extended producer responsibility. Align EPR compliance activities with our carbon reduction, waste management, and circular economic efforts so that they complement each other and support the overall sustainability strategy.

Benefits

• U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives.
• They may also be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, a tuition reimbursement program (select degrees), company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others.
• U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive sick time, floating holidays and paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager