Introduction

A position has become available for a National Circular Packaging and Sustainability Sourcing Manager to join our dynamic team.

Duties & Responsibilities

Develop circular packaging systems where materials are reused, recycled, or repurposed to eliminate waste. Ensure that our products are sourced ethically, responsibly and with minimal environmental impact. Work closely with suppliers to promote sustainable regenerative practices that reduce negative environmental and social impacts. Collaborate with industry and cross functions to drive the circular economy transition in packaging and food production. Inspire and influence stakeholders to make authentic and notable environmental contributions. Guide the organisation on best practice to becoming a more climate resilient organisation and play a key function in the organisation’s journey to a just transition to net zero.

Key Performance Areas:

1. Deliver circular packaging solutions:

Provide leadership and guidance in shaping the SPAR packaging strategy in alignment with the Group’s vision and values.
Develop and manage circular systems to create awareness and change within the SPAR Group by educating and influencing stakeholders on circular thinking.
Align the business with circular economy practices and their social, environmental, and commercial implications.

2. Sustainable sourcing of SPAR Brand products and ingredients:

Provide leadership and guidance and partner with our suppliers to drive regenerative agriculture to address the challenges we face including climate change, water scarcity and biodiversity loss.
Develop and implement SPAR’s deforest free strategy. Provide leadership and guidance on the sustainable procurement of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soy, cattle, timber, coffee) and seafood.

3. Develop and review relevant sustainability policies and track progress against targets as set out in the sustainability policies.

4. Engage and collaborate with various stakeholders including: Government, Industry Bodies, SPAR international, NGOs, SPAR Retailers, SPAR suppliers and Encore in regard to circular packaging and sustainability sourcing practices.

5. Keep abreast of and communicate relevant environmental regulatory updates including EPR to functional teams. Ensure SPAR acts responsibly and that business operations remain compliant.

6. Empower the next generation of farmers, by ensuring that generative agricultural production systems and cage free production systems are economically viable and that they enable the sustainable participation of small-scale suppliers in the SPAR value chain.

7. Interpret legislation, regulation, and industry rules that are applicable to SPAR SA for impacted stakeholders and implement practices to ensure compliance.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Degree / Diploma in Environmental or Agricultural Science/ Circular Economy and Sustainability.
Relevant postgraduate qualification preferred.
5 years’ experience in FMCG.
3 Years’ experience in a management role.

The ideal applicant will satisfy the following skills requirements:

Circular systems-orientated.
Quality orientated.
Good report writing skills.
Good interpersonal skills.
Team player who can function independently.
Be able to work effectively under pressure.
Building strategic, Collaborative working relationships

Kindly note: All applications are to be submitted through the Careers Site and Pnet. Please refrain from calling the Distribution Centre (DC) or emailing applications directly.

Closing Date: 29 March 2024

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities.

“Your application and all personal information provided herein is protected under the Protection of Personal Information Act (4 of 2013), hereinafter referred to as the “Act”.

The SPAR Group LTD, with its head offices at 22 Chancery Lane in Pinetown, is collecting this information to enable us to facilitate your application and /or assess your suitability for the advertised position. This information will be used for this purpose only and disposed of thereafter, unless you consent to the information being retained for marketing purposes.
Where shortlisted, your information will be retained for a period of 3 months and disposed of immediately thereafter if you are unsuccessful in your application. Where employment is offered, it will be retained as part of your employee portfolio and secured accordingly.
This information is given to us, by you, voluntarily and of your own free will.
If you do not wish to provide us with this information, are unable to do so, or object to it being used, it will result in the disqualification of your application.
In the course of the recruitment process, and for matters related to your application only, we may share your information with third parties.
You have the right to access this information while in our possession and make corrections if necessary.
You have the right to lodge a complaint via email with the office of the Information Regulator, at complaints.IR@justice.gov.za, if you are unhappy with the manner in which we deal with your information.

By submitting your application, you hereby declare your understanding of the aforementioned information and consent to the processing of your information in accordance with the Act, as well as the processing of any further personal information requested by us in the future including but not limited to, banking details, criminal history and credit reports /financial history information.”

SPAR Group

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National Circular Packaging and Sustainability Sourcing Manager