Regulation Expert, Packaging

Anthesis Group; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Anthesis Group is seeking a Regulatory Expert in Packaging to join our Circularity and Value Chain Transformation team. You will bridge complex legislation—like PPWR—into actionable business requirements, acting as a technical advisor across global projects.

A background in packaging engineering and 10+ years of experience is essential. You will lead regulatory deep-dives, readiness assessments, and landscape reviews, while driving client relationships and thought leadership in sustainable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field; a graduate degree is highly preferred.
• 10+ years of professional packaging experience, with a track record as a packaging expert.
• Experience across packaging engineering and the consulting sector; in-house experience with brands/retailers is valued.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple concurrent projects, delivering high-quality, high-impact work for Anthesis clients.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to clients and colleagues on leading standards and trends.
• Draft comprehensive reports and presentations that distill complex information into key messages.
• Lead and grow client relationships as the primary contact and trusted sustainability advisor.
• Develop and deliver high-impact proposals and generate leads with existing clients.
• Monitor emerging trends in sustainable packaging and translate insights into actionable recommendations.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Data literacy

Stakeholder engagement

Project delivery

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field

Job description

Department: Circ. & Value Chain Trans. : Advisory

Location: Netherlands

Description

Anthesis is looking for a Regulatory Expert in Packaging to join our Circularity and Value Chain Transformation team (Note: We are welcoming applicants based in the UK and EMEA for this role.) You will be a key player in our Products & Packaging portfolio, where we design data-driven, future-proof strategies that minimize environmental impact. In this role, you’ll bridge the gap between complex legislation—like the PPWR—and actionable business requirements. We are looking for a technical expert who can ensure accuracy and mitigate risk while driving excellence across our global projects.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Technical Leadership:

• Manage multiple concurrent projects, delivering high-quality, high-impact work that drives results for Anthesis clients.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to both clients and colleagues on leading standards and trends, integrating this expertise into projects, proposals, and service evolution.
• Draft comprehensive reports and presentations that distill complex information into key messages to inform strategic decision-making.

Regulatory Expertise & Analysis

• Execute detailed regulatory deep-dives to help clients interpret and action critical requirements, future-proof their operations, and plan for new legislative initiatives.
• Conduct regulatory readiness assessments focusing on existing and upcoming packaging frameworks.
• Perform landscape reviews, including sustainable packaging regulations and competitor commitments.
• Utilize data analysis to identify gaps or inaccuracies, developing well-reasoned approaches and assumptions to bridge them.

Client Relationship & Business Development

• Lead and grow client relationships, acting as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor with a relentless focus on their sustainability success.
• Develop and deliver high-impact proposals in collaboration with client managers, while also generating leads with existing clients through a deep understanding of their business goals.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Proactively monitor and analyze emerging trends in sustainable packaging, supply chains, and innovative materials, translating these insights into actionable client recommendations.
• Collaborate with global experts to represent Anthesis at industry-leading conferences, fostering strategic connections and partnerships.
• Drive the creation of innovative thought leadership content, transforming complex concepts into accessible and engaging materials for diverse audiences.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Education & Experience Academic Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field; a Graduate degree is highly preferred.
• Expertise & Tenure: 10+ years of professional experience, demonstrating a strong track record as a packaging expert.
• Sector Mix: A proven blend of experience across packaging engineering (focused on raw materials, FMCG, or supply chain) and the consulting sector.
• Industry Background: Previous in-house experience with brands, retailers, or SMEs is highly valued.

Core Regulatory Expertise (Essential Must-Haves)

• Subject Matter Expertise: Deep, authoritative knowledge of packaging regulations, specifically SUPD, PPWR, and EPR. This includes mastery of recyclability requirements, substance restrictions (e.g., PFAS), and related EU legislation.
• Regulatory Translation: Proven ability to interpret complex legal and regulatory texts, converting them into practical, actionable guidance for clients and internal teams.

Technical Mastery & Data Literacy (Nice to Have)

• Material Science & Compliance: Strong experience in packaging design and materials, including composition, recyclability, recycled content, and compliance documentation (e.g., Declaration of conformity/DoC).
• Risk Management: Advanced technical risk assessment skills, with a focus on identifying compliance gaps and developing robust mitigation strategies.
• Data Literacy: Proficiency in packaging data collection, validation, and meeting complex regulatory reporting requirements.
• Consulting & Strategic Delivery Commercial Support: Experience supporting client delivery and proposals, providing technical input into bids and leading high-level stakeholder discussions.
• Project Delivery: Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, ensuring total regulatory accuracy while meeting commercial timelines and client expectations.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Exceptional capability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including suppliers, legal teams, and cross-functional business units.
• Leadership & Team Growth Capability Building: Proven ability to build internal expertise by mentoring teams and reducing single-point dependency through knowledge sharing.
• Communication Excellence: Superior command of English, with the agility to work independently in virtual, fast-paced matrix environments across multiple time zone