Principle Analyst - Composting & Compostables in Remote at Circular Action Alliance

Role Overview

As part of the Material Services team within the Program Planning and Operations Department, the Principal Analyst - Composting & Compostable Packaging will help develop and lead CAA’s approach to compostable packaging[1] across the United States, including how best to support composting infrastructure that can successfully manage compostable products covered by EPR programs.

The Principal Analyst will contribute both policy and operational expertise, collaborating with the Compliance & Regulatory Affairs to assess program obligations, funding and processing approaches, operational strategies, and investment for the management of covered compostable products. They will also provide technical guidance to producers on compostability determination across the various EPR states and to influence the future design of compostable packaging.

The Principal Analyst will also lead and administer any RFI/RFP processes pertaining to covered compostable products and will advise on the establishment of dedicated grant and/or funding programs to support tests and trials that advance the acceptance of covered compostable products by processing facilities and the development of end markets for compost made from feedstocks that include covered compostable products.

Key Responsibilities

• Compile the definitions of compostable packaging in EPR states and emerging states, as well as related requirements pertaining to labelling, acceptance, and enforcement of compostability claims.
• Develop an inventory of existing composting infrastructure, the access to recovery of covered compostable products, and processing facilities’ acceptance of compostables in EPR states, documenting differences between compostable products made of different substrates.
• Identify the different ownership structures (public vs private) and develop understanding of the development process for new infrastructure (e.g., private financing, public-private partnership, grants, bonds, etc.).
• Identify and recruit “compostable product-friendly” processing operators across the US, with a focus on EPR states, and develop ambassador proposition.
• Recommend composter funding approaches (e.g. reimbursement, incentive payments, etc.) that can be customized to the specific requirements of individual EPR states.
• Support the Data and System Optimization team in developing a protocol for periodic characterization studies at organics processing facilities to measure the quantities of compostable packaging received by facilities and successfully processed.
• Help establish the key performance indicators (e.g., access; acceptance) and ongoing data & reporting needs to measure the field performance of covered compostable products that are applicable to individual state requirements and also guide a national approach.
• Develop guiding principles pertaining to CAA’s support of covered compostable products at closed venues (e.g. stadiums) and how to avoid a conflict with CAA’s Reuse/Refill objectives.
• Advise on the establishment of dedicated grant and/or fund programs to support tests and trials that advance the acceptance of covered compostable products by processing facilities and the development of end-markets for compost made from feedstocks that include covered compostable products.
• Remain at the forefront of compostable packaging developments, and composting and other organics recovery system innovations. Cultivate relationships with trade associations, certification bodies, local governments, organics processing facilities, NGOs, startups and other innovators or standard bearers in the compostables/composting space.
• Represent CAA, educate, and train interest holders about CAA’s approach to compostables/composting, both internally (e.g. board meetings, working groups) and externally (e.g., public consults, conferences).
• Serve as a trusted technical and strategic resource for producers, local jurisdictions, NGOs, and organics facilities processors.
• Monitor and provide input on proposed regulations and activities pertaining to covered compostable products in current EPR programs and emerging states. Monitor federal and state regulatory and legal activities that may affect marketability of composting end-products (for example PFAS regulations for land applied compost).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated operational experience in and/or knowledge of, organics recovery systems (composting and anaerobic digestion).
• Strong policy analysis skills.
• Excellent project leadership and project management skills. Previous leadership, program management or implementation experience in compostables and/or composting systems required.
• Excellent influencing, verbal and written communication skills, to simplify concepts that are complex and emerging.
• Partnership-building skills and experience to inspire collaboration in public-private partnerships and across supply chains and industry sectors.
• Experience analyzing and problem solving for how to on-board access to the collection of covered compostable products, and acceptance of these materials by processing facilities.
• Previous experience building, issuing and evaluating RFI and RFP preferred.
• Strong time management & prioritization skills in a fast-paced & evolving area
• Ability to quickly learn about policy, the project or program being developed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, which may include, Sustainability, Environmental Management, Operations/Supply Chain Logistics, Data Analytics; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in compostable packaging, organics recovery systems, operations or related field.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Fully Remote
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge and experience.
• Reports To: VP of Collection and Processing.

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org listed below.

[1] The terms “compostable packaging” and “compostables” are used interchangeably throughout this document and generally refer to third-party certified, food-contact packaging that will decompose in a composting environment without negatively affecting soil quality.