Principal Analyst – Composting & Compostables

Circular Action Alliance

Principal Analyst leading compostable packaging initiatives at Circular Action Alliance. Collaborating on regulatory compliance, funding strategies, and data optimization for compostable product acceptance.

Posted 5/21/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $132,000 - $157,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Compile the definitions of compostable packaging in EPR states and emerging states, as well as related requirements pertaining to labelling, acceptance, and enforcement of compostability claims.
Develop an inventory of existing composting infrastructure, the access to recovery of covered compostable products, and processing facilities’ acceptance of compostables in EPR states, documenting differences between compostable products made of different substrates.
Identify the different ownership structures (public vs private) and develop understanding of the development process for new infrastructure (e.g., private financing, public-private partnership, grants, bonds, etc.).
Identify and recruit “compostable product-friendly” processing operators across the US, with a focus on EPR states, and develop ambassador proposition.
Recommend composter funding approaches (e.g. reimbursement, incentive payments, etc.) that can be customized to the specific requirements of individual EPR states.
Support the Data and System Optimization team in developing a protocol for periodic characterization studies at organics processing facilities to measure the quantities of compostable packaging received by facilities and successfully processed.
Help establish the key performance indicators (e.g., access; acceptance) and ongoing data & reporting needs to measure the field performance of covered compostable products that are applicable to individual state requirements and also guide a national approach.
Develop guiding principles pertaining to CAA’s support of covered compostable products at closed venues (e.g. stadiums) and how to avoid a conflict with CAA’s Reuse/Refill objectives.
Advise on the establishment of dedicated grant and/or fund programs to support tests and trials that advance the acceptance of covered compostable products by processing facilities and the development of end-markets for compost made from feedstocks that include covered compostable products.
Remain at the forefront of compostable packaging developments, and composting and other organics recovery system innovations.
Cultivate relationships with trade associations, certification bodies, local governments, organics processing facilities, NGOs, startups and other innovators or standard bearers in the compostables/composting space.
Represent CAA, educate, and train interest holders about CAA’s approach to compostables/composting, both internally (e.g. board meetings, working groups) and externally (e.g., public consults, conferences).
Serve as a trusted technical and strategic resource for producers, local jurisdictions, NGOs, and organics facilities processors.
Monitor and provide input on proposed regulations and activities pertaining to covered compostable products in current EPR programs and emerging states.
Monitor federal and state regulatory and legal activities that may affect marketability of composting end-products (for example PFAS regulations for land applied compost).

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in related field, which may include, Sustainability, Environmental Management, Operations/Supply Chain Logistics, Data Analytics; Master’s degree preferred.
7+ years of experience in compostable packaging, organics recovery systems, operations or related field.
Demonstrated operational experience in and/or knowledge of, organics recovery systems (composting and anaerobic digestion).
Strong policy analysis skills.
Excellent project leadership and project management skills.
Previous leadership, program management or implementation experience in compostables and/or composting systems required.
Excellent influencing, verbal and written communication skills, to simplify concepts that are complex and emerging.
Partnership-building skills and experience to inspire collaboration in public-private partnerships and across supply chains and industry sectors.
Experience analyzing and problem solving for how to on-board access to the collection of covered compostable products, and acceptance of these materials by processing facilities.
Previous experience building, issuing and evaluating RFI and RFP preferred.
Strong time management & prioritization skills in a fast-paced & evolving area.
Ability to quickly learn about policy, the project or program being developed.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Retirement plans
Paid time off
Flexible work arrangements
Professional development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

compostable packagingorganics recovery systemscompostinganaerobic digestiondata analyticsproject managementpolicy analysisRFIRFPkey performance indicators

Soft Skills

project leadershipinfluencingverbal communicationwritten communicationpartnership-buildingproblem solvingtime managementprioritizationcollaborationeducation and training