Public Affairs – Sustainability Manager

About Huhtamaki

Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste.

We are committed to protecting food, people and the planet and are on the lookout for passionate and consummate professionals to join our growing team to help us deliver on our ambitious 2030 Strategy. We look for colleagues who Care, Dare and Deliver.

Fiber Foodservice Europe-Asia-Oceania (EAO) business segment offers high quality molded fiber and paperboard packaging for fresh food and beverages across Europe, Asia and Oceania. We supply quick service and fast casual restaurants, coffee shops and vending operators as well as egg, fruit and vegetable producers with suitable fibre-based packaging.

About the responsabilities

We are looking for a Sustainability & External Affairs Manager, France to support with all local, national and France EU related policy matters – whilst supporting our sustainability initiatives in our La Rochelle factory and relations with the local authorities. The role will ideally be based in Paris.

About the missions

In France:

• Monitors, analyzes and manages France policy dossiers, keeping fully up to date on all current and future French regulations and directives implementation which could affect Huhtamaki’s operations and business, thus identifying key risks and opportunities for the company on a regular basis;
• Support the La Rochelle sustainability team, managers and key customers with regulatory insights, policy trends and regulatory challenges to the business;
• Advocates and engages with the French political, administrative, media and NGO stakeholders:
  • At a national level, i.e. Government administration, Parliament (N. Assembly and Senate); relevant organisations, e.g. Ademe, CITEO, CTP, etc, Media outlets
  • At a local level (La Rochelle), i.e. local public stakeholders (e.g. senators, deputies, mayors) and administrations (DREAL, Labour inspection…)
• Represents Huhtamaki in cross-segment trade associations and technical level working groups.

At EU –Brussels Level:

• Supports Huhtamaki’s advocacy and communication under VP Sustainability & Communications by:
  • Engaging with French MEPs, French Member State representation, French Regions and trade associations and other relevant French organisations;
  • Contributing to EPPA’s work and other relevant associations.

In Huhtamaki FFS And Group:

• Prepares Huhtamaki’s written responses to legislative consultations in France and supports Huhtamaki’s group level responses to EU consultations;
• Lead point of contact for FFS segment on policy, regulatory and local stakeholder issues in France and broadens Huhtamaki’s network in France and EU institutions;
• Liaises closely with Huhtamaki’s customers’ policy teams to strengthen Huhtamaki’s public affairs / advocacy capabilities on down-stream topics with an impact on Huhtamaki reputation, especially in relation to the QSR sector (i.e. Recycling, legislation, bans, restrictions, targets);
• Coordinates with Group Public Affairs on EU and global advocacy priorities and contributes to Huhtamaki Global Public Affairs network;
• Supports VP Sustainability & Communications in developing and implementing a strategic FFS public affairs and advocacy plan that builds Huhtamaki’s reputation and positioning.

About the requirements

• Native French speaker and fluent English (spoken and written);
• Preferably 5+ years of experience in public affairs, policy or advocacy related roles in Government or Parliament in France and/or at Brussels level;
• Knowledge of the policy and legislative landscape in France, Member State or EU and must have strong experience in analyzing policy and legislative files;
• Demonstrated ability to transfer technical regulatory knowledge into clear advocacy messages and recommendations for the company;
• Strong project management skills and capability to deliver – must be a self-starter and capable of operating with minimum supervision;
• Strong capability and passion to network with internal and external stakeholders;
• Ideally experience of the packaging industry, agency or in industry associations.

About the Applications

Interested candidates are asked to submit their application consisting of cover letter and CV to Emmanuelle Legrand – Senior Adviser Mavence France at emmanuelle.legrand@mavence.com.

Chez Mavence, notre mission est de recruter les meilleurs candidats dans le domaine des affaires publiques. L’inclusion est en cela un élément essentiel de cette mission. Elle reflète tant notre conviction que la diversité des parcours, des origines et des expériences renforcent la résilience, l’adaptabilité et les performances d’une équipe, mais également notre engagement à rechercher, de manière rigoureuse, les meilleurs éléments pour un poste donné. En ce sens, nous accordons le même traitement à tous les candidats, quels que soient leur sexe, âge, origine(s), état civil, situation de handicap, orientation sexuelle, nationalité(s) et convictions politiques ou religieuses.

Contact Person

Emmanuelle Legrand