Director, Product Sustainability

WHO WE ARE

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to a fair and just marketplace for consumers. Our team is made up of truth tellers, change agents, and consumer advocates who investigate and build coalitions to fight for fairness and justice in the marketplace for consumers. We leverage our evidence-based approach to demand safer products, a healthier environment, and equitable services for everyone. 

Our mission starts with you. We offer medical benefits that start on your first day as a CR employee that include behavioral health coverage, family planning and a generous 401K match. Learn more about how CR advocates on behalf of our employees.

Overview

Building on our track record of promoting energy and fuel efficiency through ratings and policy, we are looking for a Director, Product Sustainability to help lead our CR’s sustainability research and testing program of products, goods, and services within the Testing, Research and Insights division.

Reporting to the VP, Testing, Research & Insights, the Director will be responsible for the development of the scientific and engineering underpinnings of this program, employing contemporary perspectives on sustainability within the marketplace (manufacture, distribution, consumption & use, recycling, end-of-life issues) to achieve a positive impact.

CR is committed to bringing the full power of our organization to address climate change and environmental issues more broadly.  If you are committed to bending the curve of consumption toward a sustainable future and to building a bridge to the young and diverse members who will shape consumer issues in the next half-century, we welcome your application. 

Under our CRFlex program, this is a hybrid position and is eligible for remote work up to 50%. The successful candidate must reside within 75 miles of one of our main office locations (Yonkers, NY, Washington DC, Colchester CT). 

HOW YOU'LL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Director will provide direction, operational and technical leadership for the program,  ensure the timely execution of projects and that operational metrics/goals are achieved, and deliver high quality results to drive consumer impact via content, policy and consumer engagement.  On a daily basis, you will: 

• Lead the assessment of products that promote positive sustainability characteristics (energy efficiency/consumption, recyclability, sustainable source materials, etc.) and how the ranking/scoring of those characteristics can be incorporated into the overall ratings of those products.
• Direct and oversee operational activities to ensure that research and testing in the product sustainability program is performed on schedule, according to procedures with quality and accuracy.
• Identify existing and emerging issues in sustainability research/testing and help define what sustainability means for CR and for marketplace stakeholders (consumers, manufacturers, regulators, distributors, etc.) across different product categories.
• Work with internal partners to determine how to incorporate the prevention and reduction of environmental and consumer harms into a sustainability ratings scheme for products or services accounting for attributes like lifecycle adjustments and true cost accounting.
• Together with content, create compelling sustainability messaging that positively impacts consumers leveraging existing consumer facing mediums.
• Work across teams to establish, reinforce, and adhere to consistent data analysis standards, adhering to CR’s commitment to rigor, objectivity, and quality.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to establish an overarching testing organizational plan; collaborate and work cross-functionally with Testing and Insights teams as well as with content, advocacy, legal and survey to ensure insights inform broader critical initiatives.
• Stay current on applicable codes & standards that apply to product sustainability, recommend appropriate test methods/approaches to assess compliance.
• Advise senior leadership on long-term strategy and decision making by defining critical metrics, developing dashboards, and providing strategic insights.
• Ensure proper documentation of product sustainability testing protocols and procedures as well as document and maintain inventory of proprietary data.
• Manage other members of the Product Sustainability Research and Testing Team, as required
• Keep abreast of industry testing standards, market trends and competitors’ practices evaluating and providing recommendations to improve existing testing procedures and practices.
• Serve as an organizational thought leader and the primary Consumer Reports spokesperson for product sustainability. Represent CR externally in public testimony, meetings with manufacturers, industry, NGOs, and in media interviews and as a participant and/or speaker at external engagements, as required.

ABOUT YOU

You’ll Be Highly Rated If:

• You have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM discipline or relevant discipline, and have10+ years of relevant work experience required
• You have 5+ years of demonstrated ability managing product environmental or corporate sustainability programs
• You have demonstrated leadership skills that include setting and achieving goals for the team, initiating actions to resolve problems and improve processes
• You have a good understanding of product sustainability research/testing, product manufacturing, energy consumption of products and environmental impact of manufacturing, use, and end-of life of products
• You are data driven, fact-based and consumer focused.  You can anticipate impact of key audiences and is comfortable adjusting as new information comes to light
• You promote collaboration and inclusion; ensuring alignment and accountability to organization objectives; you are adept at leveraging connections and interdependencies while seeking out diverse perspectives.
• You are a clear communicator, able to state and leverage key influencers to champion support
• You have knowledge of and experience with quality assurance and continuous improvement tools, best practices, methods and approaches

You'll Be One Of Our Top Picks, If:

• You have an Advanced degree in engineering or a relevant scientific discipline
• You have prior work experience in product sustainability research/testing and/or product sustainability public policy development
• Your prior experience also includes directing and conducting proprietary research projects
• You have experience managing a team preferably in a testing and/or operations area a plus
• You are comfortable in front of a camera.  You have prior experience with working with the media and public speaking a plus
• You have knowledge of experimental techniques, data analytical practices, and advanced statistical topics 
• You have knowledge of or experience in Lean Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement environments #LI-CM1

At Consumer Reports, we are committed to fair, transparent pay and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation. The target salary range for this position is $173k to $213k. It is anticipated that most qualified candidates will fall near the middle of this range. Compensation for the successful candidate will be informed by the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.

Consumer Reports proudly seeks to build a richly diverse workforce by hiring people with a diversity of thoughts, identities, perspectives, and experiences that help advance the difference we make for consumers, and by ensuring individuals experience equity and inclusion in their work lives. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQIA people, people of color, and people with disabilities.