Circularity Specialist

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.

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.

Qualifications

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).