About Polymateria

Polymateria is a privately-owned British business developing a new standard in biodegradable plastics. Polymateria’s scientists have created a breakthrough, proprietary formulation for plastics – called Biotransformation – which ensures that plastic can fully biodegrade if it enters the natural terrestrial environment. This process, which produces no harmful by-products, can be integrated into the most common forms of plastic, drastically reducing the amount of plastic pollution. At the same time, the technology is compatible with recycling streams at scale. Their sector disrupting technology is now fully validated on a range of plastic products, from films to rigid containers, and has obtained the highest level of scientific proof.

From their base at Imperial College London’s Innovation Hub, Polymateria has grown quickly since being founded in 2015. Having spent its first years focused on R&D to develop the technology with the company’s team of world-leading polymer scientists, chemists and biologists, Polymateria is now commercialising the technology across the world. In April 2020, the business closed its Series-A funding with investment from Planet First Partners and appointed former M&S and Morrison’s Chief Executive Officer, Marc Bolland, as Chair. The company is currently in the middle of its Series-B funding round.

On the back of its technical excellence, the company has formed strategic global commercial partnerships with the likes of Avient and Indorama Ventures. In June 2021, Polymateria was selected as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, one of a hundred companies globally set to shape the future of business and society. Polymateria also has agreements in place with partners as diverse as the Indian Government and the Extreme-E racing series, bringing the technology a global audience. 7-ELEVEN in Taiwan is an example of a major international brand utilising Polymateria’s technology.

More information on Polymateria can be found at www.polymateria.com

The Role

Polymateria’s Head of Policy & Public Affairs, South-East Asia will work to shape policy in key South-East Asian markets to ensure the policy environment is fully aware and supportive of Polymateria’s new innovation to tackle plastic pollution. This newly created role will report into the SVP of Global Communications & Regulation, work closely with the company’s Commercial team based in the region, as well as across the Innovations team to identify and cultivate opportunities.

This key role will be responsible for shaping and executing Polymateria’s regulatory & advocacy strategy in South-East Asia with the aim of scaling the business’ commercial success. They will seek out first movers in adopting the technology across the region, strengthening the company’s network and relationships.

This is a senior role within the business and will represent Polymateria when creating coalitions to evolve standards and the legislative landscape around biodegradability. They will work on technical and confidential matters integral to the scientific excellence Polymateria stands for, as well as leading high-level discussions with senior stakeholders.

In-line with Polymateria’s innovative approach, the role holder will have freedom to think creatively about policy campaigns and be excited about doing things differently.

Location

Singapore with significant regional travel.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of Polymateria’s South-East Asian policy, advocacy & regulatory work, both in terms of development and execution.
• Working directly and through strategic partners, build influence with key governmental & industry stakeholders across the region to develop an understanding of the technology and appreciation for how it can supplement current circular economy, plastics and packaging policies.
• Utilizing Polymateria’ best-in-class scientific test methods, rationale and evidence base, champion the role of standards in supporting efforts to set a credible pathway for biodegradation including the role the new BSI PAS 9017 standard can play to help ensure positive outcomes.
• Develop relationships with industry bodies, NGOs and other influential third parties to support the company’s policy goals.
• Think creatively about designing and executing non-traditional policy campaigns that enable Polymateria to punch above its weight.
• Be a leading expert on the regional policy landscape and a go-to source of expertise both internally and externally.
• Oversee activities in advance of commercial initiatives and partnerships, including developing research collaborations and investment activities.
• Support the commercial teams to identify opportunities in South-East Asian markets and forge partnerships with companies further down the value chain.
• Manage any 3^rd party support such as public affairs and PR agencies.

Ideal Experience

• Ten years of experience of shaping policies that affect the commercial success of a business or an industry.
• Five years’ experience in a blue-chip organisation in a sector with a strategic interest in plastics/packaging, e.g. FMCG, Pharma, Retail or similar, with an awareness of the key drivers and trends of the sector.
• A track record of building meaningful relationships with senior stakeholders in regional markets to shape a regulatory landscape, ideally within the field of circular economy e.g. policymakers, standards bodies, trade associations, corporate partners, NGOs etc.
• Understanding of the regional circular economy, environment and sustainability agenda.
• An ability to operate across the region with appreciation for the cultural differences and national contexts.
• Previous experience of working with a technical product would be desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communications in English, with fluency in one or more of Mandarin, Malay, Thai and Filipino a bonus.

Critical Competencies for Success

Relationship Building

In an international context, will have built meaningful relationships with senior stakeholders. This person will have prior examples of when they have created new introductions and developed and fostered existing relationships, educating key influencers on a process, technology or issue. They will be able to show when they have won over new audiences.

Strategic Thinking

In the context of a fast-evolving environment, this person will have identified opportunities to extend influence or develop commercial opportunities. They will be perceptive, future-oriented and will have an appreciation for trends and the big picture.

Driving results

This person will be able to show how their activities translated into measurable results, including contributing to commercial returns or an organisation’s goals. They will be motivated by success and have set themselves and others stretching goals against which progress will have been tracked.

Personal Characteristics

The ideal candidate will also be:

• A disruptor, unafraid to challenge the status quo
• Highly motivated by Polymateria’s mission to tackle plastic pollution
• A skilled influencer, with the gravitas and credibility to be effective
• Resourceful, with a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves and figure it out
• A proactive self-starter
• An interest in and an appreciation for the sciences 
• Adaptable, able to work in a small business and operate without the support of a larger corporate

Benefits

An attractive package of benefits will be offered commensurate with experience.

Application process

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter to careers@polymateria.com with the subject ‘Head of Policy & Public Affairs, South-East Asia’.

We regret we are unable to provide feedback on applications which are not progressed.