Location
Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire or any UK or EU site
Hours
Full Time
Salary
Negotiable
About the Role
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems (Europe) Ltd, part of the global Sumitomo Electric Group, is seeking a Sustainability Engineer to lead and coordinate the implementation of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) across all business units and legal entities. This permanent role acts as the central point of contact for packaging compliance, ensuring all packaging placed on the EU market meets regulatory requirements related to recyclability, reuse, substance restrictions, reporting obligations, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and waste management.
The role involves driving cross-functional collaboration, developing implementation roadmaps, monitoring compliance risks, and ensuring timely submission of all regulatory reporting requirements. Key responsibilities include leading the PPWR programme, coordinating sustainability and circular economy initiatives, supporting product design and engineering compliance, managing purchasing and supply chain compliance, overseeing HSE and quality assurance activities, and liaising with finance, legal, and EPR schemes.
The Sustainability Engineer will also act as the primary PPWR contact for all business units, develop standard reporting templates, monitor compliance actions, and support site teams during implementation and audits. Travel to SEWS-E sites may be required.
Experience
- Managing cross-functional regulatory or compliance programmes
- Coordinating multiple stakeholders across international locations
- Knowledge of packaging regulations, sustainability reporting, or environmental compliance
- Strong project management skills
- Analytical, reporting and presentation skills
About you
- Proactive and able to lead without direct authority
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Strong stakeholder and supplier relationship management
- Skilled in risk management, change management, and continuous improvement
Qualifications
- Degree in engineering, environmental science, sustainability, packaging technology, compliance or related discipline
- Desirable: Detailed knowledge of EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR)
- Desirable: Experience with extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes
- Desirable: Knowledge of packaging design, recyclability assessment and circular economy principles
- Desirable: Experience in automotive, manufacturing, logistics or industrial sectors
- Familiarity with ISO 14001, environmental management systems and sustainability frameworks is advantageous
