Leads sustainable packaging strategy and delivery across the Americas, aligning client goals, regulatory requirements, suppliers, budgets, reporting, and operational priorities. Owns senior client relationships, stakeholder engagement, KPI delivery, legislation tracking, and supplier partnerships. Manages and develops a regional sustainability team while strengthening governance, systems, processes, and sustainability roadmaps.
ABOUT US
tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With more than 1,400 employees across 28 countries., we offer an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.
Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas.
Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.
WHAT MATTERS THE MOST
Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.
tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.
WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE
The Director, Sustainability Product Lead, Americas will sit within our Global Sustainability team and play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering sustainable packaging priorities across the region.
The Sustainability team supports client sustainability objectives across product and supply chain, with a focus on strategy, operational delivery, advocacy and external engagement, reporting, supplier engagement and regulatory/legislative tracking and analysis. The team works closely with internal teams, client stakeholders, suppliers, consultants and external organizations across three geographic regions to translate sustainability ambitions into practical, measurable action.
This is a senior regional leadership role within our Americas Sustainability function. The successful candidate will lead the regional sustainability team, partner closely with the client to develop and deploy sustainable packaging strategies and solutions, present at key industry events, provide expert guidance on evolving regulation/legislation, supplier engagement and performance delivery. The role requires strong judgement, industry and commercial awareness and the ability to align internal and external stakeholders around clear priorities and measurable outcomes. Key expectations include:
Develop and leverage supplier relationships to identify opportunities, mitigate risks and support delivery of sustainability goals.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE...
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE
Starting salary between $140,750-$189,625
TOTAL REWARDS
Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:
There's more ...
Generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits
Paid parental and medical leave programs
401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing
15 days of paid time off plus company holidays
Hybrid work model
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance
Inclusive employee resource groups
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
RECRUITING AGENCIES
tms does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the tms Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, tms employees, or any other company location. tms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
#LI-AM1
#LI-hybrid
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With more than 1,400 employees across 28 countries., we offer an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.
Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas.
Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.
- How we harness the Power of And: https://vimeo.com/tmsagency/power-of-and
- Our latest and greatest work: https://vimeo.com/tmsagency/sizzle-reel
- What makes our people and culture unique: https://vimeo.com/tmsagency/people-culture
WHAT MATTERS THE MOST
Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.
tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.
WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE
The Director, Sustainability Product Lead, Americas will sit within our Global Sustainability team and play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering sustainable packaging priorities across the region.
The Sustainability team supports client sustainability objectives across product and supply chain, with a focus on strategy, operational delivery, advocacy and external engagement, reporting, supplier engagement and regulatory/legislative tracking and analysis. The team works closely with internal teams, client stakeholders, suppliers, consultants and external organizations across three geographic regions to translate sustainability ambitions into practical, measurable action.
This is a senior regional leadership role within our Americas Sustainability function. The successful candidate will lead the regional sustainability team, partner closely with the client to develop and deploy sustainable packaging strategies and solutions, present at key industry events, provide expert guidance on evolving regulation/legislation, supplier engagement and performance delivery. The role requires strong judgement, industry and commercial awareness and the ability to align internal and external stakeholders around clear priorities and measurable outcomes. Key expectations include:
- Develop and lead the strategic direction for sustainable packaging across the Americas region.
- Provide subject matter expertise and senior-level leadership for client-led initiatives and cross-functional tms programs.
- Maintain a robust understanding of current and emerging regulation/legislation, industry/market trends and packaging sustainability requirements.
- Build and manage effective partnerships with key external stakeholders, industry bodies, suppliers and specialist partners.
- Lead, coach and develop a regional team of sustainability subject matter experts.
- Lead the client relationship for sustainable packaging, including KPI delivery, progress reporting and issue resolution.
Develop and leverage supplier relationships to identify opportunities, mitigate risks and support delivery of sustainability goals.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION
- Define the external advocacy and engagement strategy and strategic priorities for the Americas markets.
- Translate client sustainability requirements into clear recommendations, action plans and decision-ready guidance for the region.
- Prioritize and manage resources effectively to support regional delivery, team capability and stakeholder expectations.
- Drive improvements to systems, tools and processes that strengthen sustainability reporting, governance and delivery across the Americas.
- Lead delivery of the Americas sustainability budget, including oversight of third-party provider budgeting and spend management.
- Provide input into global budget planning and ongoing financial management for the tms Sustainability function.
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE...
- A clear, prioritized sustainability roadmap is in place for the Americas region, aligned to client goals, commercial realities and emerging regulatory requirements.
- The client sees tms as a trusted strategic partner for sustainable packaging, with confident guidance, proactive issue management and clear progress against agreed KPIs.
- The team anticipates and assesses evolving regulations/legislations across all levels of government, market dynamics, and supplier capabilities to develop actionable strategies, inform decision-making, and proactively mitigate business risks.
- There are robust sustainability governance and reporting practices in place that increase accountability, improve performance visibility, and accelerate continuous improvement across the organization.
- A high-performing regional sustainability team has been cultivated with the clarity, support, and capabilities needed to drive impactful outcomes and execute against the ever-increasing strategic priorities.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE
- 10+ years' relevant experience in sustainable packaging, product sustainability, supply chain sustainability or a closely related field.
- Degree qualified in a relevant discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience leading sustainable packaging strategy or transformation and advocacy strategy for a major brand, retailer, foodservice business or complex client organization.
- Understanding of the foodservice packaging industry, plastics/fiber value chain, and/or related advocacy experience.
- Strong client management and relationship capability, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and balance commercial, operational and sustainability priorities.
- Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence working across matrixed, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Previous people management experience, including coaching, prioritization, performance management and team development.
Starting salary between $140,750-$189,625
TOTAL REWARDS
Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:
- Our commitment to rewarding results
- Opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers'-and our company's-success
There's more ...
Generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits
Paid parental and medical leave programs
401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing
15 days of paid time off plus company holidays
Hybrid work model
Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance
Inclusive employee resource groups
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
RECRUITING AGENCIES
tms does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the tms Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, tms employees, or any other company location. tms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
#LI-AM1
#LI-hybrid
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
tms Chicago, Illinois, USA Office

Our global company is headquartered in downtown Chicago, right in the heart of it all. We are blocks away from the river and the lake, surrounded by hotspots. We also have a hybrid work policy, which ensures our people have the flexibility they need.
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What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
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