National Circular Packaging And Sustainability Sourcing Manager

SPAR Group - National Circular Packaging and Sustainability Sourcing Manager

Location: Durban

Type: Permanent

Published: 17 hours ago

An EE / AAA position has become available for a National Circular Packaging and Sustainability Sourcing Manager to join our dynamic team.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Develop circular packaging systems where materials are reused, recycled, or repurposed to eliminate waste.
2. Ensure that our products are sourced ethically, responsibly and with minimal environmental impact.
3. Work closely with suppliers to promote sustainable regenerative practices that reduce negative environmental and social impacts.
4. Collaborate with industry and cross functions to drive the circular economy transition in packaging and food production.
5. Inspire and influence stakeholders to make authentic and notable environmental contributions.
6. Guide the organisation on best practice to becoming a more climate resilient organisation and play a key function in the organisation's journey to a just transition to net zero.

Key Performance Areas

1. Deliver circular packaging solutions: Provide leadership and guidance in shaping the SPAR packaging strategy in alignment with the Group's vision and values.
2. Develop and manage circular systems to create awareness and change within the SPAR Group by educating and influencing stakeholders on circular thinking.
3. Align the business with circular economy practices and their social, environmental, and commercial implications.
4. Sustainable sourcing of SPAR Brand products and ingredients: Provide leadership and guidance and partner with our suppliers to drive regenerative agriculture to address the challenges we face including climate change, water scarcity and biodiversity loss.
5. Develop and implement SPAR's deforest free strategy.
6. Provide leadership and guidance on the sustainable procurement of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soy, cattle, timber, coffee) and seafood.
7. Develop and review relevant sustainability policies and track progress against targets as set out in the sustainability policies.
8. Engage and collaborate with various stakeholders including: Government, Industry Bodies, SPAR international, NGOs, SPAR Retailers, SPAR suppliers and Encore in regard to circular packaging and sustainability sourcing practices.
9. Keep abreast of and communicate relevant environmental regulatory updates including EPR to functional teams.
10. Ensure SPAR acts responsibly and that business operations remain compliant.
11. Empower the next generation of farmers, by ensuring that generative agricultural production systems and cage free production systems are economically viable and that they enable the sustainable participation of small-scale suppliers in the SPAR value chain.
12. Interpret legislation, regulation, and industry rules that are applicable to SPAR SA for impacted stakeholders and implement practices to ensure compliance.

Desired Experience & Qualification

1. Degree / Diploma in Environmental or Agricultural Science / Circular Economy and Sustainability.
2. 5 years' experience in FMCG.
3. 3 Years' experience in a management role.
4. Relevant postgraduate qualification preferred.

The ideal applicant will satisfy the following skills requirements:

1. Circular systems-oriented.
2. Quality-oriented.
3. Good report writing skills.
4. Good interpersonal skills.
5. Team player who can function independently.
6. Be able to work effectively under pressure.
7. Building strategic, collaborative working relationships.

Kindly note: All applications are to be submitted through the Careers Site and Pnet. Please refrain from calling the Distribution Centre (DC) or emailing applications directly.

Closing Date: 29 March

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities.