• Dandenong South
• 12 mth fixed term part time position with the view to permanency
• Australian Owned Business

The company

This leading plastics food packaging manufacturer is an Australian owned family business that has been operating for over 30 years. Using only 100% raw virgin food contact grade material, they produce an extensive range of environmentally conscious, food grade certified and recyclable food containers, cups, picnic, and party ware.

As a business investing in the future of sustainable plastics, they are dedicated to offering customers a range of environmentally friendly products by ensuring all products are recyclable after use and reducing the carbon footprint during production by investing in high tech automated manufacturing practices including use of solar energy.

This business is highly innovative and doing some great things to ensure their business and the food plastics industry are more sustainable. From their website none of this great work is evident however, which is why they need a Sustainability/Relationships Manager to compile the evidence and educate stakeholders and consumers about the initiatives they have in place.

The role

The position is part time (3 - 4 days per week), and will be offered as a fixed term contract for an initial 12-month period with the view to making the position permanent.

Ideally candidates will be located close to the facility in Dandenong South but flexibility to work remotely can be offered for the right candidate. 

This role is a newly created position with the objective is to formalise current practices including use of solar power, to educate customers, industry and relevant authorities about the sustainability and innovative manufacturing capability of this company.

As the Sustainability Manager reporting to the Managing Director your role is to provide knowledge, expertise, and leadership to ensure the following key priorities are achieved:

Develop strategic relationships with government bodies and NGO’s

• Proactively engage with government bodies to inform industry of the sustainability practices and actively promote a better understanding of the industry as a whole
• Explaining to NGOs how recycling benefits the environment
• Educating stakeholders that the plastic industry wants to be a part of the solution and opening the dialogue further
• Identifying solutions to introduce more recycled food grade material into their manufacturing processes 

Marketing of sustainability practices and achievements

• Co-creating collateral and content to market how plastics can be sustainable if recycled including competitor’s product lifecycle analysis
• Explaining the benefits of recycling vs composting with the messaging of reduce, reuse, and recycle being a central theme
• Direct marketing to customers informing them of the sustainable practices and technical product details 

APCO accreditation

• Fostering direct relationships with APCO members and creation of a roadmap to obtain the ARL embossed logo accreditation
• Ongoing involvement with APCO to ensure this organisation is at the forefront of continuous improvement and innovation

About you

You are known for being a self-starter and ideally passionate about the role that recyclable plastic food manufacturing has to play in sustainable business practices.  

Your influencing and people leadership skills also enable you to evolve sustainability strategies in a manner that key stakeholders actively seek you out as a voice in the industry.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role, manufacturing industry experience is highly desired
• Existing connections and relationships with key state government agencies, local councils and industry bodies
• Qualifications in environmental sustainability and/or social responsibility preferred
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders and build productive working relationships at all levels
• Experience with sales and marketing will be highly regarded  
• Understanding of The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is nice to have but not essential 

The rewards

This position offers a unique opportunity to show case best practice Australian manufacturing in a highly autonomous position where you can shape the role’s focus and impact the ongoing sustainability journey of food grade plastics packaging.

Apply now or for a confidential discussion please contact Claire Black on 0407 821086.

Talent Nation strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex, and genders.