[Hiring] Senior Manager, Reuse Refill @Circular Action Alliance

Role Description

As part of the National Program Team, the Reuse/Refill Senior Manager will report to the Reuse/Refill Director and serve as a central leader, collaborating with the director and leading a team to define and operationalize CAA’s national and state-level reuse/refill strategy. This role is responsible for translating CAA’s reuse/refill strategy into actionable, scalable, and financially viable program strategies across Food Serviceware, B2B and B2C systems.

Acting as the connective tissue across modeling, infrastructure planning, policy requirements and in-market execution, this role will ensure CAA’s reuse/refill approach is cohesive, cost-effective, and aligned with state EPR obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• National Strategy & Roadmap Development:
  • Work closely with the director to shape and advance CAA’s national and state-level reuse/refill strategy and roadmap across Food Serviceware, B2B and B2C models.
  • Translate regulatory requirements and organizational goals into clear, prioritized program pathways for each state identifying opportunities for cross-state harmonization, standardization, and economies of scale.
• Program Design & Funding Strategy:
  • Lead team to define and develop the infrastructure buildout plan, incentive design, reuse/refill model and format prioritization to accelerate the adoption of reuse/refill for each state.
  • Define investment frameworks and funding strategies to ensure reuse/refill systems are cost-effective, scalable and maximize source reduction.
  • Evaluate trade-offs across reuse models (e.g., closed vs. open loop, venue types, packaging formats) to guide decision-making.
  • Define the implementation plan for each state’s reuse/refill strategy, collaborate with Data & Analytics team to define the reuse/refill budget, develop reporting.
• Model Integration & Analytical Leadership:
  • Partner closely with the Principal Analyst to evolve and operationalize CAA’s reuse/refill financial model and ensure real-world inputs (RFI data, pilots, stakeholder insights) are systematically incorporated into modeling assumptions.
  • Lead team to translate analytical outputs into strategic recommendations and program inputs.
• Infrastructure & Ecosystem Development:
  • Lead team to assess current market capabilities and help shape CAA’s reuse/refill infrastructure strategy.
  • Identify key gaps in the ecosystem and recommend targeted interventions or partnerships, with an eye toward expansion of infrastructure across different reuse/refill models (Food Serviceware, B2B and B2C packaging).
  • Establish ecosystem standards, metrics, operating assumptions and reporting to fulfill individual state EPR obligations across different reuse/refill models while inputting into approaches for long-term harmonization and consistency.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Thought Leadership:
  • Cultivate relationships with reuse service providers, trade associations, local government, NGOs, startups and other innovators in the reuse/refill space.
  • Serve as a trusted technical and strategic advisor to producers, regulators, municipalities, NGOs, and reuse operators.
  • Represent CAA, educate, train interest holders about CAA’s approach to reuse/refill at board meetings, public consults, conferences, working groups.
  • Represent CAA in public forums, working groups, and industry discussions.
  • Identify where external expertise is needed and scope/manage consultants to accelerate progress.
• Market Intelligence & Continuous Improvement:
  • Lead team that monitors and provides input on proposed regulations and reuse/refill developments across states to inform best practices.
  • Stay at the forefront of system innovation, policy evolution, and business model development.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Data Analytics, Engineering, Operations/Supply Chain, Business, Sustainability or similar). Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in reuse/refill, recycling, sustainability, waste management, supply chain, packaging innovation or related field. People management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing or scaling reuse/refill or analogous systems.
• Strong experience with financial modeling, cost analysis or program economics.
• Experience with reusable food serviceware systems strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with reverse logistics, infrastructure planning and systems operations.

Requirements

• Previous leadership, program management, implementation or operations experience in converting single use packaging to reusables.
• Strong systems thinking with the ability to connect strategy, operations, and financial viability.
• Deep understanding of reuse/refill models and system design trade-offs.
• Ability to translate complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and coalition-building skills across public and private sectors.
• Experience building, issuing and evaluating RFI and RFP preferred.
• Excellent influencing, verbal and written communication skills. Proven ability to influence and shape people’s perspectives.
• Strong time management & prioritization skills in a fast-paced & evolving area.
• Ability to quickly learn and contribute to policies, projects and programs being developed.

Benefits

• 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: Director of Reuse & Refill