Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems (Europe) Ltd
Sustainability Engineer
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Sustainability Engineer – Packaging, Waste and Circularity
Type of contract: Permanent
Place of Work: Any UK or EU site
Job Duties and Responsibilities
To lead and coordinate the implementation of the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) across all business units and legal entities. The role will act as the central point of contract for packaging compliance, ensuring that all packaging placed on the EU market meets regulatory requirements relating to recyclability, reuse, substance restrictions, reporting obligations, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and waste management. The role holder will drive cross-functional collaboration, develop implementation roadmaps, monitor compliance risks, and ensure timely submission of all regulatory reporting requirements. Tasks will include but not be limited to:
PPWR Programme Leadership
- Develop and maintain the company-wide PPWR implementation strategy
- Establish programme governance, milestones, and project plans
- Coordinate activities across sustainability, engineering, purchasing, logistics, finance, legal, and business units
- Track regulatory developments and assess impacts on company operations
- Provide regular status reports and compliance updates to senior management
- Lead PPWR steering committee meetings and cross-functional working groups
Sustainability & Circular Economy
- Develop and maintain the company’s PPWR compliance roadmap through 2030
- Coordinate packaging recyclability assessments
- Monitor progress against recyclability and recycled content targets
- Support packaging reduction initiatives
- Ensure alignment with corporate sustainability objectives and ESG reporting requirements
- Drive programmes to improve packaging circularity and resource efficiency
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Product Design & Engineering Compliance
- Coordinate packaging redesign projects to meet PPWR requirements
- Ensure packaging designs achieve recyclability performance criteria
- Support packaging weight reduction initiatives
- Identify and eliminate non-compliant packaging formats
- Coordinate implementation of reuse and refill requirements where applicable
- Establish engineering review processes for packaging compliance approval
Purchasing & Supply Chain Compliance
- Develop supplier engagement and compliance programmes
- Collect, review, and maintain packaging Declarations of Conformity (DoCs)
- Ensure availability of technical documentation supporting PPWR compliance
- Coordinate supplier audits and compliance assessments
- Monitor supplier performance against PPWR requirements
- Establish documentation management system to maintain compliance records
HSE & Quality Assurance
- Coordinate compliance verification programmes for regulated substances
- Ensure packaging meets chemical restrictions including heavy metals, PFAS, and other restricted substances
- Work with quality assurance teams to establish audit procedures
- Coordinate testing and verification activities where required
- Support implementation of compliant waste segregation and packaging disposal processes
- Maintain evidence required for regulatory inspections and audits
Finance, Legal & Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
- Coordinate registration with relevant EU EPR schemes
- Monitor EPR obligations across all operating countries
- Support eco-fee budgeting and financial reporting
- Coordinate packaging data reporting requirements
- Work with legal teams to ensure compliance with national implementation requirements
- Maintain oversight of documentation required by regulators and compliance schemes
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Business Unit Management
- Act as the primary PPWR contact for all business units
- Develop standard reporting templates and compliance processes
- Monitor completion of required actions across sites
- Ensure submission of regulatory reporting within required deadlines
- Identify and escalate non-compliance risks to management
- Support site teams during implementation and audit activities
Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required
Essential
- Degree in engineering, environmental science, sustainability, packaging technology, compliance, or related discipline
- Experience managing cross-functional regulatory or compliance programmes
- Knowledge of packaging regulations, sustainability reporting, or environmental compliance
- Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders across international locations
- Strong project management experience
- Excellent analytical, reporting, and presentation skills
Desirable
- Detailed knowledge of EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR)
- Experience with extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes
- Knowledge of packaging design, recyclability assessment, and circular economy principles
- Experience in automotive, manufacturing, logistics, or industrial sectors
- Familiarity with ISO 14001, environmental management systems, and sustainability frameworks
Special Conditions
- Travel to SEWS-E sites as required
Key Competencies Required
- Programme & project management
- Regulatory compliance management
- Stakeholder management
- Supplier relationship management
- Risk management
- Change management
- Data analysis & reporting
- Continuous improvement
- Communication & influencing skills
- Leadership without direct authority
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