Manager, Public Affairs

NatureWorks; Plymouth (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Travel & flexible schedule

Job summary

NatureWorks seeks a Public Affairs Manager – North America to advance the company’s interests at the state and federal levels. You will build relationships with policymakers, monitor legislation, and develop advocacy materials while translating policy developments into actionable business insights.

You will represent the company in meetings, briefings, and coalitions, communicating complex issues clearly. Travel up to 50% is expected, with base salary and annual bonus aligned to market in the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture/public policy/related field.
• Experience in government affairs or public policy.
• Strong knowledge of political and legislative landscape; Nebraska relationships preferred.
• Understanding of federal legislative and regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of composting, recycling and waste management relevant to bioplastics.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with federal and state legislators, regulatory agencies, and industry groups.
• Represent the company with policymakers and communicate business and policy interests.
• Monitor state and federal legislation/regulation affecting business and industry.
• Identify legislative risks/opportunities and advise advocacy strategies.
• Represent the company in meetings, hearings, and coalitions.
• Develop testimony, talking points, and advocacy materials.
• Translate policy developments into business implications for leadership teams.
• Serve as policy resource for customers on legislative/regulatory developments.

Skills

Public policy

Advocacy

Stakeholder relations

Communication

Policy analysis

Presentation skills

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Public Affairs Manager – USA

Location: Omaha/Lincoln, Nebraska area or Plymouth, MN

Reports to: Vice President, Sustainability & Public Affairs

NatureWorks is a global advanced materials company and leading producer of Ingeo™ biopolymers and lactides, made from renewable agricultural feedstocks and used in applications ranging from food packaging and coffee capsules to 3D printing, nonwovens, and durable products. Jointly owned by Cargill and PTT Global Chemical (GC), our U.S. manufacturing facility is located on the Blair, Nebraska biorefinery campus—placing Nebraska at the center of our U.S. operations and newly opened manufacturing facility in Thailand. With Corporate Office and R&D Facility in Plymouth, MN.

We are seeking a Public Affairs Manager – North America to advance our interests at the state and federal levels. This highly visible role will build relationships with policymakers and industry leaders, anticipate legislative and regulatory developments, and serve as a credible and compelling voice for the company at the intersection of agriculture, biotechnology, sustainability, and bioeconomy.

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain strong relationships with federal and State legislators, congressional offices, regulatory agencies, economic development organizations, trade industry associations, composting community, agricultural associations, and industry leaders.
• Represent the company with elected officials and policymakers, clearly and persuasively communicating our business and policy interests.
• Monitor and engage on state and federal legislation and regulation affecting our business, customers, and the compostable and biobased materials industry.
• Identify emerging legislative risks and opportunities and recommend effective advocacy strategies.
• Represent the company in legislative meetings, hearings, fly‑ins, facility visits, industry associations, coalitions, and other external forums.
• Develop testimony, comments, talking points, briefing materials, position statements, and other advocacy communications.
• Translate complex policy developments into clear business implications and recommendations for leadership and our commercial, legal, and sustainability teams.
• Serve as a policy resource for key customers when legislative or regulatory developments affect their businesses.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree; agriculture, agricultural business, public policy, political science, biotechnology, business, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in government affairs, legislative affairs, agriculture, public policy, circular economy, industry advocacy, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of the political and legislative landscape, with established relationships in Nebraska government, agriculture, economic development, or related industries strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory process and the ability to effectively engage on federal issues.
• Good understanding of composting and recycling as well as waste management operations that are relevant for bioplastics items.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to make complex issues understandable and advocate persuasively.
• Confidence and judgment to effectively engage elected officials, senior leaders, customers, associations, composting community and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive issues and work effectively across political perspectives while keeping business interests at the center of the conversation.
• Strong initiative, judgment, and follow‑through.
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $120,000-$150,000
• Annual Bonus: 8% target opportunity
• 401(k): 5.5% automatic company contribution plus a 50% company match on the first 6% you contribute
• Paid Time Off: 120 hours of vacation, 3 floating holidays, and 9 company‑paid holidays
• Family Sick Time: 56 hours annually
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability
• Benefits begin on your first day