VP - Material Services, End Markets

Circular Action Alliance

9d•Remote

About The Position

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 mission-driven work with our 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. This position is a new role at the organization and will lead End Market strategy and development for CAA and as such will lead both design efforts and end market development strategies and initiatives to achieve the recycling targets prescribed in regulations (e.g. development and growth of responsible end markets to hit recycling rate and PCR targets). Key materials targeted, include, but are not limited to: flexible plastic packaging, small-format containers, PET thermoforms, and poly-coated containers. The ideal candidate must combine strong operational background within the recycling industry, as well as stakeholders’ management skills to ensure a successful relationship with reclaimers and end market entities and will be measured based on growth and viability of end markets. This position will collaborate with the VP of Collection and Processing to ensure the end market development strategies align with collection and sortation strategies.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of packaging materials and formats.
Experience with developing end markets recycling solutions for materials.
Strong understanding of Extended Producer Responsibility.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and identify actionable insights.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
Ability to build, develop, lead and engage strong teams, with direct or indirect reporting lines including remote employees.
Ability to work in a dynamic environment for rapid pace and with flexibility. Ideally understand and adapt to the startup nature of CAA.
Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering or equivalent, or higher required.
At least 10+ years of operational experience in MRFs, reclaimers, or recycling facilities.
Must possess be able to obtain a valid Driver's License with clean driving history.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement detailed regional end market development and post consumer recycled content strategies by material both for states and regions, in collaboration with companies and industry groups
Ensure collection and analysis of existing end market capacities data, clarify needed capacity growth, and organize capacity growth by outlet/type/application.
Create and manage multi-year investment and intervention plans for end markets by state, clearly defining CAA spend vs. outside third party spend.
Identify companies that are ideal partners and lead engagement activities to drive investment.
In collaboration with the CAA Chief of Staff, Executive Directors, state operations staff, and the VP for Collection and Processing, work to vet strategies and ensure end market strategies align with state needs and collection and sortation strategies.
Map and identify key partners and potential investors for new applications, new plants to take recycled materials, and new expansion opportunities of existing facilities.
Map barriers to investment and overcoming unique barriers. This may include technical development work, specification development, trialing new applications, supporting pro-forma development, etc.
In coordination with VP of Collection and Processing, establish agreements with third parties to drive new investment in regional end markets.
Coordinate activities with state and national teams within CAA to drive alignment and collaboration and to ensure state needs are met re: end markets.
Identify projects, complete due diligence, and bring key investments forward consistent with our investment processes to the COS for approval.
Identify potential partnership opportunities, complete due diligence, and bring investments forward to COS for approval.
In collaboration with key leaders within Program Planning and Operations, develop a clear strategy to increase PCR usage, which is connected and aligned with statute, roadmaps, and recycling rate goals.
Champion expansion of PCR and new applications, driving tangible growth in the usage of domestic PCR.
Partner with industry groups and trade associations focused on expansion of PCR and identify and execute on tangible activities to drive increased usage.
Lead the organization efforts to support packaging design improvements including creating and reviewing industry design guides, providing appropriate guidance to producers, and aligning design changes with source reduction and other CAA strategies.
Develop the REM verification strategy, including ensuring the development and implementation of a National REM Standard
Support the states in the REM verification implementation tailored to the requirements set in rules
Establish strategic partnership with other organizations performing end market verifications to ensure harmonization
In collaboration with the VP of Data & Analytics, develop end market reporting mechanisms
Oversee, manage, delegate tasks, and motivate a small team of industry professionals to accelerate end market development, primarily focused on plastics.
Set annual goals, lead team meetings, provide clear direction, ensure SOWs are in place, and drive outcomes aligned with the schedules and needs of the business.
Complete necessary performance reviews and other HR related tasks.
All other job-related duties as assigned.