Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.
The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.
Role Summary:
The Director, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) provides enterprise leadership for EPR strategy, governance, and execution across a large-scale packaging manufacturing portfolio. This role is accountable for ensuring full regulatory compliance while proactively managing EPR cost exposure, operational impacts, and reputational risk across U.S. states and international markets. The role partners with executive leadership to embed EPR requirements into packaging design, manufacturing operations, and commercial strategy—balancing compliance, cost, and circularity at scale.
Enterprise EPR Strategy & Governance
- Define and lead the enterprise EPR strategy aligned with regulatory requirements, sustainability commitments, and long-range financial plans.
- Establish governance, policies, and operating standards to ensure consistent execution across sites, product lines, and regions.
- Serve as the executive owner for EPR accountability, decision-making, and escalation.
Regulatory Leadership & Risk Management
- Monitor evolving EPR regulations impacting packaging manufacturers across U.S. and global jurisdictions.
- Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Government Affairs to assess risk, influence policy, and manage audits.
- Ensure timely and accurate registration, reporting, and fee submissions across Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).
Financial Ownership & Cost Optimization
- Own EPR fee forecasting, budgeting, accruals, and cost allocation models.
- Integrate EPR costs into pricing strategies, margin analysis, and customer negotiations.
- Identify cost-reduction levers through material optimization, recyclability improvements, and supplier strategies.
Packaging Design & Operational Integration
- Embed EPR requirements into packaging design standards and product lifecycle governance.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, Procurement, and R&D to drive compliance-by-design.
- Influence innovation and capital decisions to improve recyclability and material efficiency.
Data, Systems & Reporting
- Establish data governance and reporting frameworks to support EPR compliance and audit readiness.
- Partner with Technology teams to implement scalable systems for packaging and PRO reporting.
- Ensure documentation and internal controls aligned with regulatory expectations.
Executive & External Engagement
- Serve as the primary EPR subject matter expert for executive leadership and Board discussions.
- Align EPR execution with ESG, Sustainability, and Communications strategies.
- Represent the organization in industry coalitions and regulatory forums.
Qualifications:
Required
- 12+ years of experience in regulatory compliance, sustainability, supply chain, or packaging operations.
- Direct leadership experience with EPR or packaging stewardship programs.
- Strong knowledge of packaging materials and EPR fee mechanics.
Preferred
- Experience in high-volume packaging manufacturing.
- Direct engagement with Producer Responsibility Organizations.
- Background in enterprise transformation or large-scale regulatory programs.
Success Measures
- Full compliance across all applicable jurisdictions.
- Predictable and transparent EPR cost management.
- Reduced long-term EPR exposure through material and design optimization.
- Strong executive and Board confidence in EPR governance.
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $180,000 - $215,000 + bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.
The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.
#LI-Remote
With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.
At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.
We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.
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