Packaging Sustainability Assistant Manager

**Job Location**: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

**Function**: R&D

**Reports to**: Sr. Packaging Sustainability Manager, Asia &ANZ

**Background**:
Unilever’s sustainable living plan is at the heart of our business. Our aim is to continually grow our business, whilst decoupling the environmental footprint of our products from our growth and increasing our positive social impact.

Our plan isn’t just the right thing to do for people and the environment. It’s also right for Unilever: the business case for integrating sustainability into our brands is clear. The Packaging Sustainability Team has a key role to play in helping the Categories and MCO’s deliver this plan, and packaging waste has a particular part to play in the environmental and social impacts.

**Main Job Purpose**:
The role is designed to assist categories and collating all the efforts towards less, better and no plastics agenda. Help MCO to identify and initiate packaging and plastic waste reduction initiatives by way of design through technological solutions, and through recovery programs at an MCO level. We aim to do this by way of new technology and/or infrastructure introduction, circular thinking, consumer education programs, incentivizing schemes and similar ploys depending on the targeted materials and packaging formats. Support the MCO on regulatory issues, consumer education and support on advocacy.

**Key Accountabilities**:

- Delivery of sourcing strategy, implementation through contracting and negotiations
- Delivery of plastic sustainability commitments incl. both Physical Collection and Post-consumer resin (PCR) inclusion
- Drive actual recyclability programs in the countries
- Implementing human right framework in plastic waste collection and processing value chain
- Effective supplier communications and engagement in key programs & collaborations (eg. Transform)
- Advocacy and external communications
- NGOs & suppliers management
- New suppliers scanning
- Reporting of collection and processing volume and other plastic sustainability commitment related
- Build a solid network with category sustainability resources and with the MCO sustainability team, bringing both closer together.
- Track and report on category progress toward the packaging less, better and no plastics targets.
- Actively participate in/consult on: category workshops/programs/projects related to design for recycling/circularity and packaging and plastics waste reduction, as well as develop relevant literature and conduct training sessions for the R&D community.
- Identify big bet opportunities for recycling/PCR /recovery initiatives and solicit category/MCO support to pilot and then implement initiatives aimed at reducing post-consumer waste.

**Skills/ Experience/ Qualifications**:
**Essential**:

- Strong packaging background is essential particularly in the area of packaging materials and their composition.
- Keen understanding of the principles of sustainability (Understanding of circular economy would be an advantage)
- Good understanding of material and waste flows, as well as associated directives/legislation would be extremely beneficial.
- Excellent communication skills - most of what is achieved by the packaging sustainability team is done through others, so the ability to manage remotely, influence others and gain credibility is crucial.
- Project management skills and the ability to manage networks / projects remotely.
- Ability to influence key decision makers / key opinion formers.
- Ability to develop and maintain a vast network of industry related specialists.

**Standards of Leadership**:

- Purpose & Service
- Personal Mastery
- Agility
- Business Acumen
- Talent Catalyst
- Consumer Love
- Passion for High Performance

**Additional Information**:
This role has no direct reports.

This requires the job holder to undertake sporadic travel.

**TO APPLY**: