Global R&D Circularity Program Manager (f/m/d)
Within the Hitachi Energy Transformers business unit (BU) we are seeking a dedicated and innovative R&D Circularity Program Manager to join us within one of our Technology Centers. As part of our commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, this role focuses on optimizing the lifecycle of our transformer products and services to ensure minimal environmental impact. The R&D Circularity Program Manager will introduce eco-design principles to enhance the durability, reparability, and recyclability of transformer materials and components. The successful candidate will collaborate both internally across the global product groups (GPGs) and externally with dismantlers, recyclers, startups and academia to drive R&D activities that prioritize efficient material separation, recovery and reuse. Moreover, the R&D Circularity Program Manager will ensure our processes and products align with current and upcoming circularity regulatory and compliance legislations, such as: the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Digital Product Passport (DPP), and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive... ensuring that we not only meet but exceed requirements.
Your responsibilities
Lead and contribute to R&D projects including technology scouting aimed at integrating eco-design principles, enhancing product circularity, including material recovery, innovative recycling technologies and lifecycle assessment
Conduct feasibility studies and pilot projects to test new circular solutions and coordinate industrialization in manufacturing
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with external stakeholders (e.g. dismantlers, recyclers, external labs, research centers, universities) to enhance circularity initiatives and optimize end-of-life processes for our products
Maintain up to date knowledge of evolving regulations (e.g. ESPR, EPR, REACH, RoHS, DPP, Take-back-Programs, WEEE...) relevant to circular economy initiatives. Ensure that all R&D circularity initiatives comply with regulations
Provide guidance and knowledge to internal teams on regulatory requirements and best practices for circularity. Facilitate such information exchanges to envelope best practices among partners to improve recycling and reuse rates
Collect, analyze, and report data on circularity metrics, including recycling rates, material recovery, and environmental impacts to measure the success of circularity initiatives
Develop and implement business solutions that connect stakeholders across the value chain for the sustainable management of transformer products
Assist our corporate teams in updating the sustainability checklist to assure optimal content leveraging within product development with specific regard to eco-design principles
Actively participate in transformer related external circularity standardization committees and industrial initiatives
Your background
Minimum of 6 years of experience in circular economy, sustainability, or a related field
Strong understanding of EU and WEEE regulations pertaining to electronic waste and circular economy and ability to translate into R&D actions
University degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Sustainability, or a related field
Proven track record of leading R&D projects and driving innovation
Strong general quantitative and qualitative analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience working with dismantlers and recyclers in a manufacturing or product development context is a benefit
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate complex information in clear, understandable ways to internal and external audiences
Ability to work closely with large and complex remote teams and in a multi-country & -cultural environment
Excellent project management skills with demonstrated capacity to take initiative, structure and prioritize own work, works effectively, independently and deliver on committed schedule
Strong written and oral communication skills, fluent in English, other European languages are a plus
