Person of contact

Jessica Bart-Williams

Human Resources

Cefic is looking for an a dynamic Senior Manager with a strong experience in Chemical Recycling and the Circular Economy to join the Innovation team.

You will help organize, co-ordinate and manage all innovation activities in Cefic with specific responsibilities for topics related to  Chemical Recycling as a key technology to develop sustainable carbon cycles and circular feedstocks to support the Clean Industrial Deal. The overall transition to a circular economy in the chemical industry is a second area of interest for this role.

Inspired? you will:

  • Represent the European chemical industry on the key issues in your areas of responsibility and establish the links with related activities at member state and European levels to ensure alignment and consistency of positioning in the political debate,
  • Drive progress on the transition to a circular economy in the European chemical industry and leverage the development of the Circular Economy Act as an opportunity to advance the transition, and get current bottlenecks addressed.
  • Establish, maintain and extend the network of relationships, and alliances with the various industrial players (including downstream industries), EU institutions and consumers. Engage with and understand the positions of other associations and stakeholders and engage in a constructive dialogue, coordinate the preparation of reactive statements.
  • Reach common positions and lead and initiate relevant studies. Develop advocacy plans and coordinate the chemical industry input in public consultations and surveys
  • Establish, develop, and manage a team in your area of responsibility and work closely and coordinate with other internal departments to ensure consistency with the other activities of Cefic.

Innovation is a key success factor for the competitiveness and the successful green transition of the chemical industry. The innovation team works on supporting the innovation activities of the chemical industry in Europe by advocating for optimal policy framework for Research & Innovation in Europe and its uptake into the market e.g. here in the area of chemical recycling.

Are you the right candidate?

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and experienced professional who demonstrates the following experience, competencies and personal qualities:

  • Master’s degree in chemical engineering or science related topic
  • Proven experience in the chemical industry and in the area of chemical recycling and circular economy
  • At least 10 years of experience in the chemical industry or in trade associations.
  • Strong drive and affinity for innovation in the chemical industry, with the technical expertise to monitor and assess emerging chemical recycling technologies
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience working at European/international level on regulatory and scientific aspects, ideally in the chemical industry and/or with associations similar to Cefic.
  • Results driven with proven project/program management skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and networking skills
  • Experience in managing complex issues, birds eye view coordinator with energetic drive and natural gravitas. Ability to create healthy tension to drive progress.
  • Ability to develop consensus of diverging opinions and comfortable to work with senior management of Cefic ´s membership
  • Proven experience managing a team and coaching internal/external team members
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to speak clearly and concisely and deliver well- organized and convincing presentations.
  • Balanced approach towards managing technical as well as non-technical challenges
  • Team player, ability to network and build relations in an international and multicultural environment.
  • Ability to work independently and drive the agenda
  • Prepared to live in Belgium (Brussels)
  • Proficiency in English (written and oral), additional European languages are a definite asset
  • Ready to travel (max. 10-20%).

Are you interested? Apply by 30 May 2025

NB: Please note that in the course of the recruitment process, your application may be shared with internal departments and/or Cefic members.

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Cefic is a unique place to work due its access to knowledge, its scope of issues, the connections at European and international level, as well as being a buzzing and friendly environment. It is a  people oriented, international and dynamic organisation at the centre of EU affairs. For two years running, Cefic has been named ‘Best EU Trade Association’ by BestinBrussels. It is the largest association in Brussels, representing around 650 large and small chemical companies and associations around Europe. With our members, we work on almost all major issues impacting industry; from climate change, energy, innovation, health, safety and environment, product stewardship, sustainability, and more. We also represents around 80 Sector Groups which work on specific substance issues. How do we do this? We offer guidance and training, we support independent science and studies, we develop aligned industry views on EU policies, and we seek opportunities to engage with representatives from industry, EU institutions, civil society and beyond.

The EU chemical industry is the industry of all industries; whether you look at wind turbines, batteries, insulation, recycling technologies, all these materials depend on chemicals. Chemicals are known as the backbone of Europe’s economy; representing over 1.2 million workers, €655 billion turnover and €10.2 billion R&I investments in 2023. Yet in the past decade the chemicals industry has faced major challenges; having lost around 11 million metric tons of chemical production capacity in Europe in the past two years alone, corresponding to 10,000-20,000 jobs possibly impacted, and a further 150,000-200,000 jobs at stake. As an industry that has the ambition and the solutions to go climate neutral, circular and transition to safe and sustainable chemicals, while also safeguarding high-quality jobs in Europe, we believe this is an industry worth people’s time and energy.

The Human Resources team are focused on the quality of internal co-operation,  sustaining healthy working conditions and maintaining direct and open dialogue at all levels. For further information about Cefic, please visit our about us section.