Organisation: Packaging Forum of New Zealand Inc
Position Title: Scheme Manager - Product Stewardship and Resource Recovery
Location : This role is located in Auckland, hybrid working conditions
Organisation Summary
The Packaging Forum is the peak industry body representing local and international businesses that make up New Zealand’s packaging value chain. We are a not for profit, membership-based organization. Our membership comprises of packaging manufacturers, brands, retailers and interested bodies with more than 200 companies contributing financially and in kind to drive better outcomes for the environment.
The primary purpose of the Packaging Forum is to provide industry with a forum that advocates for positive change in how we view the whole life cycle of packaging. We do so through developing and promoting best practice for packaging product stewardship solutions for packaging; and by ensuring industry is regarded as a credible partner for collaboration on sustainability outcomes in New Zealand.
We acknowledge that many of our members may import and or export packaging and we support all by understanding and advocating for global best practice across all packaging materials. Amongst many other activities, The Packaging Forum operates voluntary stewardship schemes and projects. Some of these schemes are accredited under the Waste Minimisation Act. The Schemes and Projects have an Advisory or Steering Committee that reports to the Packaging Forum Board or its nominated representative. These can be found on the Packaging Forum website www.packagingforum.org.nz
Purpose & Vision of the Packaging Forum: Leading New Zealand to a circular packaging future, through three key strategic objectives :
Operational Excellence in Product Stewardship; Thought Leadership and Advocacy; Collaboration, Education and Communication
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Scheme Manager is responsible for leading and running one of the Packaging Forum’s designated Product Stewardship Scheme (details of the Scheme to be shared on application). This entails managing the scheme from top to bottom including the budgeting, financial admin, general enquiries, reporting, tracking, contracts and operational decision making for the scheme, additionally the communications, membership management, new member engagement and advocacy. They are responsible for guiding, improving and ensuring best practice in scheme.
The Scheme Manager role requires strong communication and stakeholder management skills, along with self-led initiative and capacity for both the detailed analytical and high-levelled views. This is necessary to understand the complexity and needs of the scheme and to deliver effective results. The Scheme Manager must be able to self-manage and deliver a high level of responsibility and productivity, working effectively often autonomously and remotely.
The Packaging Forum operates a ‘matrix’ organization – meaning close support will be given to the Scheme Manager in this role on areas such as scheme communications, member management and advocacy. As such the role needs to work closely internally in and synergy with the Communications Manager, Membership Manager, Administrative Support, Finance and the CEO.
Overview of Key Responsibilities:
Operations Management
The Scheme Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the Resource Recovery Scheme. The Scheme Manager has full responsibility for the effective and efficient running of the scheme’s operational logistics, funding deployment, communications and effective management processes.
On top of the day-to-day operations - driving continuous improvement to significantly lift the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole scheme end to end system, manage the scheme budget and increase resource recovery and recycling rates towards the targets within the scheme strategy.
Customer Relationship and Member Management
Managing Member, governance steering committee and network relationships, quarterly reporting meeting presentations. Regularly communicating transparently progress & performance and promoting the scheme with existing members, steering committee, collectors/processors and other network key stakeholders, via member updates and other communication channels
The Scheme Manager must maintain positive relationships with Scheme Members and key stakeholders, enlisting trust, support and participation in the Scheme’s initiatives and actions.
In close collaboration and with the support of the Packaging Forum Member Management lead – actively pursuing new members to secure further revenue for the scheme, in line with the growth strategy and recovery rate targets.
Financial Management
Financial management – overall tracking and managing the scheme P&L to ensure annual budget is well managed and achieved (revenue and operational cost management, receiving & checking invoices, budgets & forecasting). Collaborating closely with the Finance Manager.
Communications Management
The effective running of the schemes relies on the Scheme Manager to confidently and professionally manage questions, suggestions and concerns from Members, stakeholders (including operators, transporters, collectors) and members of the public.
The Scheme Manager is responsible for industry representation, advocacy of the scheme, internal (member) communications, and external communication of the scheme to grow awareness, increase participation and leverage for advocacy of strategic aims. They will collaborate closely with the Communications team, CEO and other Packaging Forum team members to communicate promote and drive the scheme and membership of schemes actively through relevant channels and ensure effective advocacy both with central and local government.
Data Management and Meetings Input
The Scheme Manager Role also helps ensure quarterly scheme steering committee governance update meetings are well organized and effective. As such the Scheme Manager is required to provide highly informed update reports on the scheme's performance, challenges, matters arising and future. Additionally, there could be special meetings or teleconferences required to be run by the Scheme Manager from time to time.
Strategy
Strategy will be regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed in close collaboration with the CEO and the scheme steering committee.
Additionally, strategic directional management of scheme activity (work-streams, plans, capabilities, operational goals)
Core Competencies Required:
Strong relationship stakeholder management skills, able to handle even a ‘tough customer’ with professionalism and confidence while maintaining a positive relationship.
Adept at building and maintaining positive professional relationships with good multi-level communication skills.
Ability to listen to stakeholders and collaborate, learn, and adapt.
Team player - needs to be able to ensure synergies and support are utilized effectively from the other functions of the Packaging Forum team organization being a hybrid role
Financial acumen, accurate data management, succinct reporting capabilities and the ability to handle and manage multiple systems & details.
Ideally some experience or at least working understanding of communications and marketing
Self-driven, trustworthy, productive and proactive given this is a hybrid remote role.
Ownership mindset – able to find & implement savvy solutions, ensuring efficiency and viability.
Good all-round understanding of packaging, resource recovery waste sector and circular economy in New Zealand and ideally awareness globally.
Results and action orientated, strong project management skills.
An in built moral & ethical compass that understands the current and future impact of packaging on the environment, society, and our economy.
Key Internal Relationships:
The Packaging Forum Team – CEO, other Scheme Managers
Scheme Steering Committee and Scheme Chair (governing committee for the scheme)
Administration, Communications Manager, Membership Manager, Finance Manager
Fellow Scheme Managers for sharing knowledge and synergies
The Packaging Forum Board – where required
Key External relationships:
Existing members of the Scheme and The Packaging Forum
Prospective new members
Advisory boards
Recycling collectors processors
Industry Organisations who provide services to the packaging value chain
Local and Central Government including for maintaining accreditation of the scheme
Members of the public and businesses - perceptions of and interactions with the scheme
Funding applicants
Reporting to:
The CEO of the Packaging Forum
Managing:
No direct Reports, indirect project leadership and influencing required.
Suppliers, contractors, or sub-contractors of the Scheme.
Type of Appointment
The position is full time, with hours to be conducted within the framework of the Packaging Forums flexible working policy.
A primarily work from home-based role, with reasonably frequent travel to meetings and sites as required
Remuneration
The agreed terms will to be shared on application (remuneration, benefits, tools of the trade).