Sustainability Engineer

Sumitomo Electric USA; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems (Europe) Ltd is seeking a Sustainability Engineer – Packaging, Waste and Circularity to lead the EU PPWR program across business units. You will coordinate regulatory compliance, develop implementation roadmaps and ensure timely reporting to senior management.

You will drive cross‑functional collaboration across sustainability, engineering, purchasing, logistics, finance and legal, shaping recyclability strategies and supplier engagement to meet targets through

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, environmental science, sustainability, packaging technology, compliance or related discipline.
• Experience managing cross-functional regulatory or compliance programmes.
• Knowledge of packaging regulations, sustainability reporting, or environmental compliance.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across international locations.
• Strong project management experience.
• Excellent analytical, reporting and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead EU PPWR programme implementation across business units and legal entities.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration and deliver regulatory reporting to senior management.
• Drive packaging compliance, recyclability targets, DoCs and EPR within deadlines.
• Develop implementation roadmaps and governance for PPWR across sites.
• Manage supplier engagement, documentation and audits related to PPWR.

Skills

Regulatory programmes

Cross-functional coordination

PPWR knowledge

Sustainability reporting

Project management

Analytics & reporting

Education

Degree in engineering, environmental science, sustainability, packaging technology, compliance or related discipline

Job description

SUMITOMO ELECTRIC WIRING SYSTEMS (EUROPE) LTD AND SUMITOMO ELECTRIC GROUP

Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems (Europe) Ltd employ in excess of 30,000 people across Europe and North Africa.

Automotive engineering is our industry, and we are proud of the diverse team of world‑class engineers and support staff who work at the highest level to provide products and services to our customers. Our people are our greatest asset and respect for human resources is a fundamental principle of the Sumitomo Business Spirit.

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. is a recognized global technology leader with over 280,000 employees working at around 415 subsidiaries and affiliates in over 40 countries worldwide.

Sustainability Engineer – Packaging, Waste and Circularity

Job Description

Type of contract: Permanent

Place of Work

Any UK or EU site

Job Duties and Responsibilities

To lead and coordinate the implementation of the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) across all business units and legal entities. The role will act as the central point of contract for packaging compliance, ensuring that all packaging placed on the EU market meets regulatory requirements relating to recyclability, reuse, substance restrictions, reporting obligations, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and waste management. The role holder will drive cross functional collaboration, develop implementation roadmaps, monitor compliance risks and ensure timely submission of all regulatory reporting requirements. Tasks will include but not be limited to:

PPWR Programme Leadership

• Develop and maintain the company wide PPWR implementation strategy
• Establish programme governance, milestones and project plans
• Coordinative activities across sustainability, engineering, purchasing, logistics, finance, legal and business units
• Track regulatory developments and assess impacts on company operations
• Provide regular status reports and compliance updates to senior management
• Lead PPWR steering committee meetings and cross functional working groups

Sustainability & circular economy

• Develop and maintain the company’s PPWR compliance roadmap through 2030
• Coordinate packaging recyclability assessments
• Monitor progress against recyclability and recycled content targets
• Support packaging reduction initiatives
• Ensure alignment with corporate sustainability objectives and ESG reporting requirements
• Drive programmes to improve packaging circularity and resource efficiency

Product design & engineering compliance

• Coordinate packaging redesign projects to meet PPWR requirements
• Ensure packaging designs achieve recyclability performance criteria
• Support packaging weight reduction initiatives
• Identify and eliminate non-compliant packaging formats
• Coordinate implementation of reuse and refill requirements where applicable
• Establish engineering review processes for packaging compliance approval

Purchasing & supply chain compliance

• Develop supplier engagement and compliance programmes
• Collect, review and maintain packaging Declarations of Conformity (DoCs)
• Ensure availability of technical documentation supporting PPWR compliance
• Coordinate supplier audits and compliance assessments
• Monitor supplier performance against PPWR requirements
• Establish documentation management system to maintain compliance records

HSE & quality assurance

• Coordinate compliance verification programmes for regulated substances
• Ensure packaging meets chemical restrictions including heavy metals, PFAS and other restricted substances
• Work with quality assurance teams to establish audit procedures
• Coordinate testing and verification activities where required
• Support implementation of compliant waste segregation and packaging disposal processes
• Maintain evidence required for regulatory inspections and audits

Finance, legal & extended producer responsibility (EPR)

• Coordinate registration with relevant EU EPR schemes
• Monitor EPR obligations across all operating countries
• Support eco-fee budgeting and financial reporting
• Coordinate packaging data reporting requirements
• Work with legal teams to ensure compliance with national implementation requirements
• Maintain oversight of documentation required by regulators and compliance schemes

Business unit management

• Act as the primary PPWR contact for all business units
• Develop standard reporting templates and compliance processes
• Monitor completion of required actions across sites
• Ensure submission of regulatory reporting within required deadlines
• Identify and escalation non-compliance risks to management
• Support site teams during implementation and audit activities

Skills, Qualifications and Experience required

Essential

• Degree in engineering, environmental science, sustainability, packaging technology, compliance or related discipline
• Experience managing cross functional regulatory or compliance programmes
• Knowledge of packaging regulations, sustainability reporting, or environmental compliance
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across international locations
• Strong project management experience
• Excellent analytical, reporting and presentation skills

Desirable

• Detailed knowledge of EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR)
• Experience with extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes
• Knowledge of packaging design, recyclability assessment and circular economy principles
• Experience in automotive, manufacturing, logistics or industrial sectors
• Familiarity with ISO 14001, environmental management systems and sustainability frameworks

Special Conditions

Travel to SEWS-E sites as required

Key Competencies Required

• Programme & project management
• Regulatory compliance management
• Stakeholder management
• Supplier relationship management
• Risk management
• Change management
• Data analysis & reporting
• Continuous improvement
• Communication & influencing skills
• Leadership without direct authority

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