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.

• 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 k 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…