
Compost Program Manager
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
Remote, Remote
Job Type | Permanent |
Salary Details | $65,000-80,000 |
Deadline | Mar 31, 2023 |
Required Experience | 2 - 6 years |

Position Type: Full Time, Salaried
Location: Remote (home office), must be located in the United States and have reliable internet access. Up to 20% travel.
Reports To: Executive Director
About BPI: BPI is the leading authority on compostable products and packaging in North America, and helps keep food and other organics out of landfills by creating composter confidence in the BPI-Certified compostable products they choose to accept. As a science-driven nonprofit, BPI advocates for a shift to the circular economy through its Certification, Education, and Advocacy programs. BPI’s compostability certification has over 500 member companies and over 15,000 certified items listed in a searchable database. www.bpiword.org
Position Overview: Since 1999, BPI’s mission has been to promote the production of compostable products and materials, as well as advocate for their use and appropriate end of life. Our certification ensures items are scientifically and technically compostable, and our other programs work towards items being compostable in practice and at scale. This new role at BPI will oversee a variety of projects and programs, some of which are fully formed, others that will be developed and formalized through broad understanding of the industry and BPI’s vision.
BPI values diversity in background and experience, continuously building a welcoming and inclusive work culture. BPI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate.
Job Responsibilities Include:
- Manage BPI’s efforts related to the top barriers to acceptance of compostable products, including:
- Field testing: BPI’s work at ASTM to develop a standardized field test; Scoping/executing a “field validation” program with compost groups (e.g. allocating BPI funds for tests, writing annual reports).
- Contamination: BPI’s “overs tests” for composters; BPI’s internal and external work with partners on labeling; Scoping /executing a contamination project with US Compost Council; Scoping research on compost quality and microplastics.
- Organic Agriculture: BPI’s efforts/leadership to have compostable products become an allowed input under the National Organic Program for compost.
- Oversee non-policy work on compost access, infrastructure, and the value of using compostable packaging, including:
- Project management for Findacomposter.com, working with a database developer and external partners to collaborate on data collection/mapping.
- Serve as internal lead on topics related to voluntary funding mechanisms for compost infrastructure, compost market development, technical assistance, and development of resources on existing grants/loans.
- Develop and deliver content that advocates for organics diversion programs that include compostable products, such as position papers and research studies, in partnership with stakeholders like municipalities and businesses.
- Build and maintain relationships with composters::
- Tracking and participating in industry events and meetings, both remotely and in-person, such as state composting shows and committee calls.
- Work directly with composters and municipalities to understand their successes and challenges with compostable packaging and food scraps.
- Work cross-functionally with BPI staff on topics related to composting.
- Lead BPI’s Composter & Municipality Committee, including running monthly calls, planning and executing related projects.
- Present BPI’s work and represent the organization at conferences, events, webinars, etc. in the composting space.
- Other responsibilities as identified.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience managing projects and stakeholders, with at least 2 years of direct experience in community and/or commercial-scale composting (e.g. working for a composter, a food scrap hauler, a municipal compost program, etc.)
- Knowledge of state and federal compost trends, various compost systems (e.g. windrow, ASP, in-vessel), and the basic challenges/opportunities of using compostable packaging.
- Proven experience successfully managing complex programs, organizing and leading meetings with multiple stakeholders, meeting project goals according to defined schedules.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Compensation: $65,000-80,000 pay scale for the position (plus a 7.5% performance bonus potential); starting salary commensurate with experience and level of training required.
Benefits: 401k with employer match, paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave, volunteer days, birthday), health/dental/vision insurance, and monthly health/wellness and composting stipends.
To Apply: Send a resume and work samples (see below) to hiring@bpiworld.org. The application deadline is March 31, 2023 however applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please indicate how you found the job posting (Conserviation Job Board) in your application email.
Work Sample Questions - Please use your responses to these questions to give us a better idea of your skills and who you are. There is no limit on response length.
- Describe how you would manage a complex project – your approach to organizing and leading meetings with diverse stakeholders with divergent views, factoring in elements of marketing, policy, and science.
- Identify the key external audiences this role would interface with, and describe how the incentives, challenges, and development opportunities each audience might be considering (referencing the projects in this role).
- With program management responsibilities, how would you approach balancing multiple high-priority projects while mitigating scope-creep?
When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
Category | Sustainability |