Packaging Technologist
Employment Type: Full Time 18 month fixed term contract
Hybrid Work arrangement: 3 days in the office to 2 days per week working from home, reporting to the Packaging Technology Manager
Location: Sydney or Melbourne based
Salary: $130 000 PA + Superannuation
About APCO
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is Australia’s co-regulator for packaging and a not-for-profit organisation driving the development of a circular economy for packaging.
APCO is the entity in charge of managing and administering the Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant), which is a national regulatory framework under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM). This framework defines the collective responsibility shared by governments and businesses across Australia in managing the environmental impact of packaging.
The Role
This role is ideal for a packaging professional who understands not only how packaging is designed and manufactured, but also how it performs at end-of-life within Australia’s collection, sorting and recycling systems.
You will contribute to supporting industry to design packaging that aligns with Australia’s National Packaging Targets and evolving extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework.
Working across APCO’s packaging programs, you will help translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into practical guidance, support Material Stewardship Committees (MSCs), and contribute to the development of nationally consistent approaches to packaging design and recovery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide technical packaging guidance to APCO members across a range of material formats (plastics, fibre, metals, glass and labels)
- Assess packaging formats for recyclability, recovery pathways, and compatibility with Australian collection and recycling infrastructure
- Support the delivery and coordination of Material Stewardship Committees (MSCs), including preparation of materials, stakeholder engagement, and follow-up actions
- Contribute to the development of packaging guidance, including design guidelines, fact sheets, and material pathway documentation
- Support technical research, consultation, and industry engagement relating to recyclability, recycled content, and EPR frameworks
- Engage with stakeholders across the packaging value chain, including brand owners, manufacturers, recyclers, and government
- Assist in translating data and evidence (e.g. collection and recovery systems) into practical insights that inform packaging design and policy direction
- Contribute to APCO’s response to packaging reform by supporting consistent, evidence-based approaches across programs and outputs
We are seeking someone with:
- Has a background in packaging technology and brings a systems-thinking mindset
- Is comfortable working at the intersection of packaging design, recycling systems, and emerging policy
- Is highly organised and able to manage multiple streams of work with strong attention to detail
- Takes a proactive, solutions-focused approach and can follow tasks through to completion
- Communicates clearly and confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Builds strong working relationships and collaborates effectively across teams
- Is curious, adaptable, and motivated to learn in a rapidly evolving policy and industry environment
You will be a great candidate if you have:
- Strong understanding of packaging materials and manufacturing processes
- Knowledge of Australian recycling systems and packaging end-of-life pathways
- Experience or exposure to EPR, product stewardship, or packaging compliance frameworks
- Experience working with industry stakeholders or multi-stakeholder environments
- Ability to interpret technical information and translate it into practical guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunities
We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of all genders, identities, and experiences.
If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or in the workplace, please let us know. We are committed to providing a fair and accessible experience for all candidates and will work with you to meet your needs.
If you have any questions, or applications please contact People@apco.org.au
Interviews will commence week of 25 May 2026.
