Product Stewardship Manager

Product Stewardship Manager

CEFIC – European Chemical Industry Council

Brussels, Belgium

Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, founded in 1972, is the voice of large, medium and small chemical companies across Europe, which provides 1.1 million jobs and accounts for approximately 15% of world chemicals production.

Cefic strives to be the best respected and most trusted business association in Europe. Based in Brussels, it is a committed partner to the European Union, interacting on behalf of its members with European institutions, non-governmental organisations, the media, and other stakeholders

The Association’s mission is to:

• Serve its members by generating and aggregating scientific knowledge that fosters the purpose of the Association in critical areas;
• Offer services and expertise to its members in regulatory, scientific and technical matters;
• Engage, advocate and represent the industry in order to create the right support and policy frameworks in Europe and beyond;
• Add value as a collective compared to individual companies’ activities.

Cefic supports the Green Deal and Europe’s ambition to become climate neutral by 2050. Our industry is at the crossroads of the circular economy, climate neutral Europe and safe and sustainable by design chemistry. Chemical Recycling, Electrification of chemical processes, Hydrogen, Digitalisation, CCS and CCU, bio-based chemicals are examples of key topics on our agenda. The time for change is now.

To reinforce the Sustainable Chemicals team within the Product Stewardship department, Cefic is looking for a (m/f/d): Product Stewardship Manager.

Mission of the role:

To coordinate the chemical industry response to the ongoing EU policy actions on sustainable products within the scope of the Sustainable Product Initiative (SPI), which is one of the measures highlighted in the in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to achieve ‘non-toxic material cycles. The key product stewardship component of this initiative is the management of ‘substances of concern’ in products (coherence with chemicals policy, tracking and tracing, designing away, avoiding and replacing them where possible, transparency on chemical content, link to other sustainability initiatives, ecodesign, etc.).

The successful candidate will organize and steer working groups of experts composed of a large group of member companies with diverse views that require convergence and decisions, to ensure alignment and effective positioning in the political and regulatory debate on issues in the Sustainable Products scope. Interaction with regulators and liaison with downstream industries as well as with the recycling/waste management community are also two components of this position.

Are you inspired by these responsibilities?

You will:

• Drive the development and delivery of position papers and actions on the above, and advocate them; coordinate the chemical industry input in public consultations and surveys;
• Create an effective working relationship with regulators and the EU institutions; represent Cefic in the discussions with regulators and external stakeholders;
• Liaise with other relevant industry associations and stakeholders and engage in a constructive dialogue, coordinated joint actions whenever necessary;
• Represent Cefic and the European Chemical industry in Expert working groups and in relevant conferences and workshops;
• Coordinate activities with Cefic public affairs and work closely with other colleagues, particularly with Cefic sector groups, to ensure consistency with the wider activities of Cefic, e.g. circular economy and innovation;
• Contribute to and leverage related activities handled by other Cefic teams or departments (safe and sustainable by design, circular economy action plan policies, chemical recycling, substances in articles under REACH, substitution, etc.);
• Manage a fully functioning Issue Team on Sustainable Products, including the drafting of an advocacy plan and a communications plan for all issues falling under the Remit of the Sustainable Product Issue Team;
• Position Cefic as a recognised and constructive stakeholder in the Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI) discussions and coordinate advocacy on SPI with other industry associations.

Can you make the difference?

The successful candidate will be an experienced professional who demonstrates the following experience, competencies, and personal qualities:

• A master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental sciences, or related field;
• At least 5 years of experience in EU chemicals policies, including experience in industry associations and/or EU institutions;
• Knowledge of chemicals policy (REACH in particular) and/or experience with Ecodesign is preferred;
• Proven ability to drive consensus among different parties representing a variety of interests;
• Ability to drive actions forward with a results-oriented approach while adapting to a fast and dynamic regulatory/policy environment;
• Strong communication skills: ability to speak clearly and concisely in front of a group as well as the ability to translate complex technological concepts into layman language;
• Proficiency in English (written and oral), additional European languages are a definite asset;
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills;
• Balanced approach towards managing technical as well as non-technical challenges;
• A good team player who is able to work as well independently as in a multi-functional and multicultural team;
• Excellent organisational, project management and computer skills;
• Pro-active with service and customer orientation;
• Ready to travel (max. 10-20%);
• Prepared to live in Belgium (Brussels).

What do we offer?

• Working in a people oriented, international and dynamic culture at the centre of EU affairs;
• Full time employment contract, Competitive salary according to experience and several benefits;
• Opportunities for employee development (trainings, mentoring);
• Interviews via video conferencing during COVID-19 pandemic.

Are you interested?

Please send your application with full curriculum vitae, quoting the reference PSM-01, by 18 June 2021 to Cefic, Jessica Bart-Williams, HR Officer, Rue Belliard 40, b15, 1040 Brussels.

E-mail address: [email protected]

NB: Please note that in the course of the recruitment process, your application may be shared with internal departments and/or Cefic members.