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Director of Sustainability

Careers @ Graham Packaging United States Added on Jul 16, 2026
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As the Director of Sustainability, you will take the helm of Graham Packaging’s environmental and social strategy, transforming high-level commitments into operational reality. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire reporting lifecycle, from data collection to framework alignment, while serving as the primary subject matter expert for customers seeking more sustainable plastic solutions. This role requires navigating the intersection of corporate growth and environmental integrity.

In the high-stakes world of plastics manufacturing, this position is pivotal for driving the transition toward a circular economy. You will directly influence how the company integrates post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) and carbon reduction roadmaps into its core product offering. This is a rare opportunity to lead a fundamental industry shift, moving beyond compliance to establish sustainability as a core competitive advantage that adds tangible value to global consumer brands.

This suits someone who possesses at least seven years of experience in customer-facing sustainability roles and has mastered the complexities of Life Cycle Assessments. You should be a persuasive communicator who enjoys bridging the gap between technical ESG data and commercial strategy.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission of the Director of Sustainability is to define and execute a cohesive strategic vision that embeds environmental responsibility into the company’s business model. You will be the architect behind the company’s roadmap for decarbonization and circularity, ensuring all divisions are aligned with overarching ESG goals. On a day-to-day basis, you will manage the heavy lifting of sustainability reporting, ensuring that all disclosures meet international standards such as GRI and TCFD. This involves a rigorous focus on data integrity and the translation of complex environmental metrics into actionable insights for both internal leadership and external customers. Furthermore, you will lead cross-functional initiatives that bridge the gap between operations and sales. This includes developing PCR roadmaps for clients and utilizing Life Cycle Assessments to prove the environmental benefits of specific packaging innovations, thereby driving both planet-positive outcomes and commercial growth.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain deep expertise in the technical nuances of packaging circularity, particularly in the scaling of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content within complex supply chains. This provides a front-row seat to the industrial challenges and innovations currently shaping the global plastics economy. You will also sharpen your skills in investor-grade ESG reporting. By working directly with frameworks like the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), you will learn how to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape of environmental disclosures at an executive level. Finally, the high degree of customer collaboration offers a unique opportunity to act as a strategic consultant. You will learn to align corporate sustainability goals with the diverse and demanding requirements of global consumer goods brands, fostering a sophisticated understanding of B2B sustainability value propositions.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with at least seven years of relevant experience, specifically in roles that involve significant interaction with external customers. A strong background in the manufacturing or packaging sector is highly preferred, given the technical nature of material science and supply chain logistics involved. Technical proficiency in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools and sustainability reporting frameworks (GRI, CDP, TCFD) is non-negotiable. You must be comfortable handling large datasets and transforming them into compelling narratives that resonate with both engineers and C-suite executives. Soft skills are equally critical; we are looking for someone with exceptional commercial acumen and change management capabilities. You need to be an articulate communicator who can influence without direct authority and inspire a diverse workforce to adopt new, more sustainable ways of working.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability theory and demonstrate your specific experience in industrial sustainability. Highlight any past projects where you successfully integrated recycled materials or reduced carbon intensity in a manufacturing context, as these are core priorities for Graham Packaging. Your application should clearly reflect an understanding of the packaging industry's unique challenges, such as plastic waste regulations and circular design. Demonstrating that you have already worked with SBTI or similar methodologies to set science-based targets will give you a significant advantage. Finally, emphasize your customer-facing successes. If you have experience co-developing sustainability roadmaps with major clients or using LCAs to drive sales, make sure this is front and center. Show that you understand how to turn a cost-center sustainability department into a value-generating partner for the commercial team.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The focus of this role is heavily weighted toward circular economy and carbon management. You will be responsible for defining how the company sources and utilizes recycled resins to meet ambitious PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) targets for its global customer base. Climate action is another major pillar. You will lead the company’s efforts to align with Science Based Targets (SBTi) and improve overall scores in the CDP and TCFD disclosures. This involves constant monitoring of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across a distributed manufacturing footprint. Social responsibility is integrated through the company's 'Blue Culture', which prioritizes safety, diversity, and community engagement. You will help bridge these internal culture initiatives with external ESG reporting to ensure a holistic view of the company's impact on its people and the planet.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the most significant challenges will be balancing commercial profitability with the often-higher costs associated with sustainable materials like PCR. You must be adept at building the business case for sustainability even when market conditions for recycled plastics are volatile. Another challenge lies in data orchestration across multiple manufacturing sites. Gathering consistent, high-quality environmental data from various regions requires strong relationships with operations teams and a persistence to ensure reporting accuracy remains high for GRI and CDP submissions. Lastly, navigating the rapidly changing regulatory landscape regarding plastic packaging—such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and plastic taxes—requires constant vigilance. You will need to proactively adapt the company’s strategy to stay ahead of legislative shifts that could impact the bottom line.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a cross-functional strategy session with the Operations and Supply Chain teams to review the progress of carbon reduction initiatives at a specific plant. You might spend the mid-morning analyzing the latest LCA data for a new product line to ensure it meets client expectations. In the afternoon, your focus might shift to customer engagement, where you join a call with a major global brand to present a tailormade roadmap for increasing the recycled content in their packaging. This requires translating technical data into a compelling value proposition that aligns with their corporate goals. You would likely end the day reviewing ESG disclosure drafts or monitoring new legislative developments in the packaging sector. Throughout the day, you will be acting as a connector, ensuring that the sustainability strategy is not just a document on a shelf but an active part of daily decision-making.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

For an ambitious leader, this role offers a clear path toward executive leadership within the sustainability space. As the primary SME for the company, you will have high visibility with the senior management team and the board, positioning you for future C-suite considerations. There is also the opportunity to become a recognized industry expert. By representing Graham Packaging in industry forums, working groups, and with NGOs, you can build a powerful professional network and influence the standards for the packaging sector at large. Internal growth is supported by a culture that values continuous improvement and learning. You will be encouraged to pursue advanced certifications or executive education that enhances your ability to lead complex change management processes and stay at the cutting edge of ESG innovation.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will report directly to senior leadership, acting as a trusted advisor on all matters related to the company’s ESG performance. This requires a high level of executive presence and the ability to link sustainability to broader business health. Internally, your most frequent collaborators will be the Operations and Product Development teams. You will work alongside them to operationalize waste reduction and resource efficiency, ensuring that sustainability goals are technically feasible and integrated into the manufacturing process. Externally, you will interact heavily with sustainability leads at major consumer brands. These stakeholders look to you for expertise and partnership in meeting their own environmental commitments. You will also maintain relationships with regulatory bodies, GRI/CDP auditors, and NGOs to ensure the company remains a respected leader in the field.

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