Global Packaging Sustainability Manager - 12 month contract

Unilever; Wirral; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer goods company in the UK is seeking a Global Packaging Sustainability Manager for a 12-month contract. This role involves developing strategies to reduce plastic usage and ensuring sustainability standards are met. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in procurement and packaging sustainability, alongside strong project management skills. A university degree in a related field is required. This is a full-time position, reporting to the Procurement Director.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in Procurement, Supply Chain or R&D, preferably with plastics sustainability experience.
• Strong project management skills.
• Financial acumen for building business cases.

Responsibilities

• Act as the interface between Procurement and sustainability teams.
• Contribute to sourcing direction and execution.
• Support the Net zero agenda for plastics.

Skills

Packaging knowledge

Sustainability expertise

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication skills

Education

University degree in Packaging, Sustainability, or related field

Job description

Global Packaging Sustainability Manager – 12 month contract

Join us to apply for the Global Packaging Sustainability Manager – 12 month contract role at Unilever.

Reports to: Procurement Director – Plastics Feedstock & Sustainability
Function: Procurement – Feedstock & Sustainability
Employment type: Project‑Based (Full‑Time)

About Unilever
Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. We work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Job Purpose

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. If you are passionate about sustainability, are looking to make a difference in Plastics and help Unilever achieve its commitments, then this role is just for you!

Unilever has made significant external commitments on plastics within its strategy to transition to a circular economy. These commitments are to:

• Reduce our virgin plastic footprint by 30% by 2026 and 40% by 2028
• Ensure our plastic portfolio is recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2030 for rigid packaging and by 2035 for flexible packaging

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary interface between Procurement and internal plastics sustainability teams; own the external strategy for supplier engagement and market shaping.
• Scan policy, industry and technology (e.g., PPWR, advanced recycling, collection systems) to inform sourcing strategy and risk/opportunity framing.
• Contribute to the strategic sourcing direction and execution of the Plastic Feedstock and Sustainability Team, ensuring alignment with global targets and business priorities.
• Translate sustainability ambitions into actionable roadmaps with clear milestones, KPIs and monitoring dashboards; set mechanisms to review progress with key stakeholders.
• Support the Net zero agenda for plastics.
• Lead PPWR‑related procurement readiness: supplier data collection, verification, gap closure and audit‑ready documentation in partnership with R&D, Regulatory and Digital teams.
• Build and scale strategic partnerships across the plastics value chain (resins, converters, recyclers, collectors) to expand supply of PCR, enhance true recyclability and improve infrastructure.
• Where relevant, support value chain intervention initiatives and equity/partnership models that unlock long‑term structural value.
• Represent Unilever externally where needed, building influential partnerships and advocating for industry‑wide change in plastic sustainability standards and practices.

What You Need To Succeed

• University degree in Packaging, Sustainability, Circular Economy or related field.
• Minimum 10+ years’ experience in Procurement, Supply Chain or R&D, ideally with plastic sustainability and recycling technologies partnership development experience.
• Strong project and programme management skills, with a proven track record of leading complex, multi‑disciplinary initiatives.
• Financial acumen for building business cases; familiarity with digital tools for reporting and analytics.
• Passion for sustainability.

Skills

• Deep expertise in plastic packaging and plastic waste management.
• Procurement literacy: sourcing processes, supplier management, contract levers, risk & performance management.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with experience convening a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to drive action towards collective objectives.
• Project & programme management: proven ability to lead multi‑stakeholder programmes, set governance, and deliver outcomes at pace.
• Effective communication skills, internally and externally.
• Experience operating in, and managing team members within, a fast‑paced work environment.

Leadership

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviours:
  • Passion for high performance: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • Personal mastery: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • Consumer love: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • Purpose & service: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • Agility: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Seniorities and Employment Details

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Information Technology
• Industries: Manufacturing