Director, Sustainable Product and Packaging

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity:

Mattel is seeking a Director of Sustainable Product and Packaging based in El Segundo, California to help lead and execute on the company’s strategic objectives related to Sustainable Design and Development, with a specific focus on supporting progress toward Mattel’s public-facing goals related to sustainable product and packaging. The role requires a deep understanding of current sustainability challenges in the retail/consumer goods industry, as well as a keen ability to work in a global corporate environment with multiple cross-functional stakeholders. The candidate will have a demonstrated ability to develop a global program to achieve sustainability goals. Reporting to our Global Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, this leader will have a highly visible role working closely with leaders of key functional areas - Design & Development, Global Brand Teams, Procurement, Quality/Safety/Compliance.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience working with product and packaging development, an understanding of the various environmental impacts that are created in this area of the product value chain, and experience identifying and integrating more sustainable alternatives to common materials used in the industry. The candidate must also have great business acumen, exceptionally strong problem solving and negotiating skills, a passion for leading transformative changes in the ways of working, and an ability to work cross-functionally in driving solutions.

What Your Impact Will Be:

Because the function is small and leanly staffed, the responsibilities of this director will include but not be limited to the following activities:

• In partnership with the Global Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, manage cross-functional teams to implement strategies supporting the following Sustainable Design and Development public goals:
  • Achieve 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials in all products and packaging by 2030
  • Achieve and maintain 95% recycled or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified content in the paper and wood fiber used in our packaging and products
  • Reduce plastic in packaging by 25% per toy by 2030
• Lead data collection process for packaging materials for voluntary reporting in partnership with procurement, supported by external organizations (e.g., Rainforest Alliance, Anthesis Group
• Develop programs and initiatives to help achieve goals and ensure progress with expert counsel and adept influencing skills.
• Partner with Design and Development teams to identify new materials innovations that support environmental goals in product and packaging and with Procurement teams in buying strategies that consider the need for cost efficiency.
• Partner with Mattel’s Materials Lab on interpreting results of Life Cycle Assessments and collaborate with Brand PR and Legal teams in validating environmental product claims used in consumer-facing communications.
• Support internal awareness-building of important trends in the sourcing of sustainable materials including resin and help champion new approaches to strategic sourcing including strategic investments, JVs, collaborations, and partnerships.
• Maintain knowledge of best practices in sustainable product and packaging in the toy industry and broader CPG sector to keep company informed of important landscape changes.
• Support corporate sustainability/citizenship communications related to product and packaging.
• Partner and engage with third party associations and/or multi-stakeholder initiatives, as appropriate.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• 10+ years of experience within related disciplines, industry experience strongly preferred
• Experience developing and executing strategies that improve the sustainability attributes of consumer products and packaging, including experience working with more sustainable alternatives to commonly used materials
• Proven leadership experience including influencing multidisciplinary cross-functional teams, with exceptional negotiating skills
• Experience managing relationships with consultants
• Excellent written/verbal, time management and quantitative/analytical skills
• Strong project management skills and attention to detail

Additional Information

What It’s Like to Work Here:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower. We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking. We execute: We are a performance driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best in class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results. Our Approach to Hybrid Work

We embrace a hybrid work model to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where everyone can deliver on our shared purpose and realize their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with tech-enabled hybrid work, our focus is to provide flexibility while enabling collaboration for moments that matter.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

To Apply

Please visit the Mattel careers website.