Circularity Specialist

Averydennison; United States; Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Avery Dennison is seeking a Circularity Specialist to act as a core technical expert within the Circularity & Waste Center of Expertise. This global role drives portfolio readiness across circularity pathways—recyclability, reusability, and compostability of packaging and materials.

You will bridge engineering with enterprise leadership, translate environmental science into commercial strategies, lead cross-functional initiatives, and participate in industry standards to advance global

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in corporate sustainability, packaging or materials science.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical field; Master's preferred.
• Experience engaging external trade associations and committees.

Responsibilities

• Drive global readiness roadmaps for circularity across packaging and materials.
• Lead technical evaluations on recyclability, reuse and compostability.
• Collaborate with global units to convert circularity challenges into opportunities.
• Participate in industry standards and advocacy for harmonized guidelines.
• Navigate regulatory readiness for EPR, PPWR and truth-in-labeling.

Skills

Textile & apparel circularity

Industry committee leadership

DfR & compostability

Executive communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

As a Circularity Specialist at Avery Dennison, you will serve as a core technical expert and enterprise catalyst within the global Circularity & Waste Center of Expertise. In this high-impact, global role, you will drive portfolio readiness roadmaps across circularity pathways-specifically focusing on the recyclability, reusability, and compostability of packaging and materials across all Avery Dennison business units. This position bridges deep technical engineering with enterprise-wide leadership, translating complex environmental science, packaging trade dynamics, and global regulatory mandates into clear commercial strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Employees work in a hybrid mode at our Mentor, OH facility; Also open to remote within the United States for qualified candidates
• Deep Technical Circularity Leadership: Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert on material technicalities across recycling (mechanical & chemical), reuse models, and compostability (bio-based and compostable packaging formats), conducting detailed technical evaluations on product recyclability and circular design.
• Enterprise Collaboration & Influence: Partner across global business units to translate complex circularity challenges into actionable commercial opportunities and present technical positions to senior business unit leaders and multi-disciplinary teams.
• External Advocacy & Standards Setting: Actively participate and sit on key industry committees, trade associations, and standards organizations to advocate for progressive, harmonized global circularity standards.
• Regulatory Readiness & Roadmap Execution: Build and execute global readiness roadmaps to navigate complex evolving legislation, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), PCR minimum content mandates, and Truth-in-Labeling laws.
• Global Market Intelligence: Monitor global circularity pathways, tracking PCR feedstock supply chains, bio-derived innovations, and textile/apparel circularity frameworks to keep the enterprise ahead of market shifts.

Experience

5-7 years of hands-on experience in corporate sustainability, packaging engineering, material science, or technical sustainability consulting.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, or a related technical field (Master's degree preferred).

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

• Functional knowledge of textile and apparel circularity and end-of-life pathways (distinct from traditional packaging).
• Active engagement or leadership history on industry trade association technical committees.
• Technical Depth: Proven technical capability in Design for Recycling (DfR), circular packaging design, compostability standards, and end-of-life recovery systems across global markets.
• Communication & Executive Presence: Demonstrated ability to simplify complex technical topics for diverse business audiences and influence decision-makers across matrixed, cross-functional global business units.
• Regulatory Acumen: Working knowledge of current and emerging global environmental regulations impacting packaging and labeling (e.g., EU PPWR, global EPR schemes, FTC Green Guides / Truth in Labeling).

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $73,575 -109,872/ year. The hiring base salary range above represents what Avery Dennison reasonably expects to pay for this position as of the date of this posting. Actual salaries will vary within the range, and in some circumstances may be above or below the range, based on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's relevant skills, experience, education and training, and location, as well as the job scope and complexity, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel required for the position, which may change depending on the candidate pool. Avery Dennison reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Avery Dennison is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status.

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