Operations Sustainability Manager

Graphic Packaging International (GPI) is seeking an Operations Sustainability Manager to join our growing Sustainability team! This position will report directly to the Chief Sustainability Officer at our Atlanta, GA location.

The Operations Sustainability Manager will play a key role across the organization in achieving the company’s Vision 2025 environmental sustainability goals, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, waste generation, and water consumption in our manufacturing operations. They will support corporate sustainability in implementing the operations sustainability strategy across Graphic Packaging’s global operations and will be accountable for the deployment and execution of sustainability programs in the Americas region.

They will work in collaboration with the EMEA/ANZ operations sustainability manager along with our manufacturing, engineering, continuous improvement, procurement, and commercial teams to understand and meet regulatory and customer expectations by driving activities within operations to meet sustainability targets. They will measure and communicate GPI’s environmental impact through collecting and analyzing data, providing regular updates to management teams, and overseeing our facility ESG data reporting processes. They will also be responsible for developing, coaching and leading sustainability resources at our manufacturing sites and will support implementing improvement initiatives at our facilities.

The Operations Sustainability Manager is results-oriented, collaborative, and diplomatic problem solver, who thrives in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment. They monitor evolving regulations, emissions reduction technologies, and industry best practices; making recommendations and driving projects to further embed sustainability and circularity approaches in our operations and continually strengthen and improve our operations’ environmental footprint.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide operational expertise and participate as an active member of the corporate Sustainability team to ensure Graphic Packaging’s Sustainability programs and initiatives are practical and achievable for manufacturing operations.
• Provide leadership and support to establish and execute roadmap and initiatives to reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste, advance water stewardship strategy, and support climate scenario analysis to timely delivery results that achieve the organization’s sustainability strategy, goals, and targets.
• Ensure integrity of sustainability data reported by global mills and converting plants and support the corporate sustainability team in evolving data inventory management plans, facility data collection and verification processes, and data management system. Conduct periodic systems audits to ensure data accuracy and on time reporting.
• Develop KPIs for key environmental metrics (e.g. energy and climate, waste, water, emissions, etc.) and develop dashboards and visual communication tools for internal sustainability reporting, tracking progress versus targets, and performance evaluation (including relative to competitor performance).
• Develop and implement training programs and processes to improve the skill sets of manufacturing site sustainability resources. Train associates on data reporting requirements and standard operating procedures.
• Coordinate sharing best practices and awareness of evolving sustainability regulations and/or requirements between global regions (Americas, EMEA, ANZ).
• Identify ways to improve energy efficiency/reduce energy consumption, promote energy-friendly behaviors, support energy audits at facilities, and explore options for renewable fuels and power at facilities. Work with corporate tax to understand and apply tax benefits for renewable fuel/energy conversions.
• Support procurement in negotiating renewable energy supply contracts in line with the Company strategy, policies, and standards, guaranteeing the procurement of renewable energy sources and optimizing supply costs and quality as part of the transition to sustainable energy.
• Support development of environmental content and data for external sustainability disclosures and responding to customer and other interested party’s sustainability requests and surveys.
• Work with operations leaders and facilities to support early-stage project engineering to incorporate low carbon engineering guidance into major capital investments proposals.
• Partner with engineering to develop Low Carbon Engineering guidance for ongoing/upcoming capital projects. Ensure the guidance incorporates a long-term view of sustainability and is consistent with efforts to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions.
• Learn from others and leverage relationships with Trade Associations, the Department of Energy’s Better Plants program, and other external groups to learn current best practices and keep abreast of technology readiness levels for the pipeline of low carbon technologies. Initial areas of focus are:
  • Alternatives to natural gas combustion emissions abatement and heating technologies
  • Efficiency improvements in existing operations
  • On site renewable power and energy storage
  • On site carbon capture systems
  • Electrification of processes/equipment
• Manage contractor relationships as appropriate.

The following is required for this role:

• Must have a passion for sustainability and continuous learning mindset
• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline or related Environmental field from an accredited university
• Minimum 7 years' experience in manufacturing operations with a strong focus on continuous improvement activities, preferably with energy or environmental experience
• Self-starting with strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results through influence in a large international matrix organization
• Comfortable collaborating and partnering across business functions and global regions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, make decisions, operate independently and with discretion, and work effectively under pressure.
• Great organizational and project management skills, attention to detail, and proficient in deadline-oriented work
• Skilled in using Microsoft Excel and performing data cleansing and technical and engineering data analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence key stakeholders, present to executive teams, and provide training support.
• Strong work ethic, positive outlook, and collaboration skills
• Able to travel (~25% time).

The following is preferred for this role:

• Knowledge of packaging sector Environmental, Social, Governance sustainability issues
• Paper or forest product industry experience
• Proficient in analytical and dashboarding software such as Alteryx, Microsoft Power BI, or other graphics/dashboard tools
• Experience with sustainability reporting frameworks and standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative, Climate Disclosure Project, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures.
• Experience with Greenhouse Gas (GHG) accounting (specifically, Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG accounting)

Required Experience

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At Graphic Packaging International (NYSE: GPK), we produce the box you may have poured your child's cereal from this morning, the microwaveable tray that heated your lunch, the paper cup that held your coffee throughout the day, and the carrier of those bottles of craft beer you may enjoy tonight! We're one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world's most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are a team of collaborative, innovative, passionate individuals who are committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference.

With almost 18,000 employees working in more than 70 locations in North and South America, Europe and the Pacific Rim, we strive to be an environmentally responsible leader in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry's best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we'd love to hear from you. Learn more about us at www.graphicpkg.com.

Inspired Packaging. A World of Difference.

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Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the EEO is the Law Poster