Director Sustainability, Packaging, Africa at Coca-Cola

As the Director of Sustainability– Circular Economy for Coca-Cola Africa, you will bring your demonstrated expertise and visionary leadership to guide our ambitious sustainability strategy. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Sustainability in Africa, your core focus will be on data analysis, reporting, and internal auditing of sustainability initiatives. You will play an integral role in implementing comprehensive programs centred on packaging collection—especially plastics. Your entrepreneurial mindset and ability to nurture innovative solutions will ensure your contributions leave a lasting impact. The role demands a highly detail-oriented and structured approach, adept at working in fast-paced environments. 

Function Related Activities/Key Responsibilities: 

• Sustainability reporting: Utilize robust data analysis and reporting techniques to communicate our sustainability journey. Develop compelling narratives using data-driven insights to highlight progress and stimulate wider engagement. 
• Strategic Leadership: Lead sustainability practices that align with Coca-Cola’s global commitments. Your strategic vision will drive initiatives in packaging collections. 
• Program Innovation: Champion entrepreneurial and innovative approaches within sustainability programs. Develop complex models and ensure their effective integration into our operational fabric, steering sustainable change to align with strategic objectives. 
• Industry Awareness and Agility: Remain at the forefront of sustainability trends, technologies, and regulations. Your ability to integrate emerging concepts into our strategies is crucial for achieving significant impact and success. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and sustain impactful relationships with internal teams, NGOs, government bodies, and external partners to create partnerships that advance our sustainability objectives through shared knowledge and collaborative efforts. 

Education Requirements: 

• Master's Degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability Management, Business Management, Engineering, or related fields. 
• An MBA or other business-related advanced qualifications are highly regarded. 
• Professional certifications like ISSP, IEMA, Certified Sustainability Professional, PMP, or equivalent, reflecting advanced sustainability and project management proficiency. 
• Engagement in continuous learning and advanced courses on Circular Economy, emerging sustainability trends, technologies, and industry practices is encouraged. 

Related Work Experience: 

• Minimum of 10 years in executive leadership roles focused on sustainability, with a successful track record in leading large-scale sustainability initiatives. Experience working for global corporations on circular economy would be an advantage. 
• Strong background in packaging collection, particularly plastics 
• Experience in the development of data analysis and reporting tools to track and enhance sustainability efforts. 
• Proven ability to cultivate robust collaborations across NGOs, government, private sector, and impact investors, highlighting your skill in achieving sustainable goals. 
• Experience in establishing and managing sustainability reporting standards, demonstrating adept data interpretation and performance measurement to drive continuous improvement. 

Functional Skills: 

• Mastery of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and sustainability software, alongside understanding industry regulations. 
• Capability to initiate and manage innovation and change within sustainability practices. 
• Proven negotiation skills and budget management competence. 
• High organizational and project management acumen. 
• Highly detail-oriented and structured,  
• Capable of thriving in fast-paced environments  
• Advanced skills in Excel. Power BI skills would be an advantage 
• Strong interpersonal communications skills