Packaging Sustainability Manager

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Aura - the global reference point for sustainable packaging

As part of the Sun Chemical group, Aura's mission is to revolutionize the packaging market and pioneer global solutions that protect both business and the planet. We combine expert consultancy, world-leading technology, and strategic insights to help organizations manage sustainability every day. Our Insights team empowers you to spot future opportunities early, embrace proactive planning, and leave risk behind.

Sun Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary of Sun Chemical Group Cooperatief U.A., the Netherlands, and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A. For more information, please visit our website at www.sunchemical.comor connect with us onLinkedInorTwitter

Location: Meijer Corporate Headquarters, Walker, Michigan

Position Overview:

Aura Consultants is seeking a Packaging Sustainability Manager to lead the introduction and coordination of new packaging sourcing models, while ensuring Meijer's sustainability and packaging requirements are integrated into the product onboarding process. This role involves collaborating with suppliers, commercial category teams, and the sustainability team to bring new products to market in alignment with established policies and procedures.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and implement a comprehensive packaging sustainability strategy across internal departments.
• Integrate packaging and sustainability requirements into new product onboarding processes.
• Collaborate with Commercial Category Teams and suppliers to ensure compliance with packaging, wood & paper, and ethical sourcing policies.
• Verify packaging specifications align with planned market routes.
• Conduct appropriate packaging testing and quality assessments.
• Support packaging artwork processes to meet all regulatory and brand requirements.
• Partner with data collection vendors to gather and verify packaging data, including composition, weights, dimensions, and certifications.
• Maintain quality standards for structural packaging, color management, and sustainability initiatives.
• Identify products and suppliers requiring specialized attention from Sustainability Team specialists.
• Support team objectives through timely and effective project delivery.
• Build strategic relationships across the organization to enhance operational efficiency and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Align packaging sustainability strategy with internal departments and suppliers to ensure new product packaging meets Meijer's sustainable packaging policy and guidelines through early coordination with sustainability and commercial category teams.
• Problem Resolution: Address packaging fitness-for-purpose while achieving sustainability targets; manage supplier compliance issues; balance operational efficiency with environmental impact; oversee multiple concurrent projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in structural packaging within FMCG/retail industry
• Demonstrated experience in project delivery and implementation of new working methods.
• Strong understanding of sustainability issues in retail and packaging sectors
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Ability to learn new IT systems and data platforms.

Core Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Strong commercial awareness including understanding of sales, costs, and profit factors.
• Ability to identify and respond to internal and external customer needs.
• Skilled in creating client-facing presentations and proposals.
• Proven ability to build effective cross-functional relationships.
• Open-minded approach to new ideas with strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

At Aura, you'll be part of a team shaping the future of packaging sustainability on a global scale. You'll collaborate with some of the world's most forward-thinking retailers and brands, work with cutting-edge technology, and help shape the future of packaging sustainability. Every day, your work will contribute to meaningful, measurable change for people and the planet.

BENEFITS

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k)+match and life insurance. Eligibility of benefit timing may vary.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is Sun's policy that applicants for employment are recruited, selected, and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to the position being filled. Sun prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Employment agencies are an important component of our talent acquisition strategy, and we value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. We will not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Sun Chemical or directly to hiring managers in any form without a signed contract on file, and search engagement for that position, will be deemed unsolicited in nature, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means. Additionally, any resume submitted without a contract in place will be considered property of Sun Chemical and no fees will be paid to the agency if the candidate is hired.