Director of Cost Modeling, Reporting and Fee

Director of Cost Modeling, Reporting and Fee Setting

Background

Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a 501(c)3, became the first U.S. Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for paper and packaging in 2022, and in less than a year was selected by California, Colorado, and Oregon to represent producers and meet the requirements of their extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws. The organization is poised to deliver best-in-class compliance services, scale innovation, and build systems that help both companies and consumers waste less and recycle more in these states, and in other states that have passed or will pass EPR laws in the future. 

Working with CAA presents an opportunity to be on the front edge of recycling system innovations that will have a meaningful and lasting impact. As a member of the CAA team, you will support the organization’s work with our 20 Founding Members who are leaders in the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries; companies (“producers”) whose packaging will be managed under these new laws; and a diverse array of stakeholders whose collaboration will be critical to creating a circular economy for paper and packaging. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven, big thinkers to help us realize the full potential of the nation’s first EPR laws. 

Position Overview:

Reporting to the VP of Data and Analytics, the Director of Cost Modeling, Reporting and Fee Setting will lead the national process for projecting annual costs for each State organization, lead the annual fee-setting processes, and developing the Data & Analytics reporting framework. This role is part of the National Program Operations team, which includes Technical Services, Data and Analytics and Materials Services, and will serve as a critical bridge between state and national operations teams and Finance, on budgets, forecasts and compliance. 

Primary Responsibilities

Cost Modeling

• Develop and lead the process for annual state cost modeling, including analysis of previous year’s spending, align with State team on upcoming priorities, work with Material Services to identify needed investments in new equipment, technologies and services and support Finance and ED’s in the review and internal approval of budgets;
• Support the development of financial reports and dashboards to allow visibility and data-driven decisions throughout the organization;
• Work with Finance and support development and maintenance of spend categories that allow for easy setup of POs and reporting to regulatory agencies;
• Analyze recycling program costs, material revenue to forecast future costs and compare to system cost models, and previous projections;
• Be a subject matter expert on program costs and revenues, and work closely with state operational teams and Material Services on forecasting costs and investments in collection, transfer and processing costs and end market developments;
• Support National and State teams in developing capital and investment strategies to meet performance and recovery goals; 
• Develop repeatable processes and answer questions on proper tracking of spend in each state;
• Continually seek and recommend process improvements;
• Contribute information as needed for program plans and compliance reports.

Compliance and Reporting

• Lead development of Data & Analytics framework to support the National compliance and reporting project;
• Develop a strategy for each state to meet reporting requirements, including determining processes that can be automated and which should stay as manual;
• Support State teams and engage diverse SMEs in developing proper methodology and corresponding SOPs for proper data collection and analysis;
• Ensure timely, accurate and complete regulatory compliance reports focusing on program cost and performance;
• Continually seek and recommend process improvements.

Fee Setting and Eco-modulation

• Lead development of annual Fee-Setting for each state program, ensuring compliance with regulations and support from producers;
• Develop and lead process for incorporating annual budgets and forecasts into supply and fee-setting models;
• Ensure fees for individual covered materials are consistent with state regulations and goals, and our fee-setting principles and practices;
• Work in collaboration with National Material Services and state operational teams to develop strategies to support national material management investments in specific materials that don’t overly burden specific states and fees;
• Continually seek and recommend process improvements.

Experience and Professional Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, Engineering, Scientific or related field required; Master's preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience required.
• Mathematical and modeling expertise required.
• Extensive experience with recycling systems including program costing and performance.
• Expertise in building and tracking budgets for EPR programs.
• Experience with EPR data gathering, analysis and reporting.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex

data and identify actionable insights.

• Ability to work with service providers to identify and correct data issues
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders inside and outside the organization.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy, preciseness and compliance.
• Ability to engage with teams across the organization, with direct or indirect reporting lines 
• Excellent time management and organization skills, including working with remote employees across varied geographies and time zones.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment working at a rapid pace with flexibility.

Compensation and Other Information:

• Location:  Initially Fully Remote 
• Salary is based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and work location. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off. Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org.

• For questions, please email careers@circularactionalliance.org