Careers at PLASTICS

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization supporting the entire plastics supply chain. We proudly represent the nearly one million workers in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team striving for growth and success. Together we shape the direction of the plastics industry and, as a job responsibility, have some fun while doing so. We have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We are passionate about recycling and sustainability. We encourage volunteerism. As a team, we seek opportunities to improve the communities we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups and recycling.

We offer generous benefits including health, dental, vision and life insurance, competitive salaries and a 401(k) plan with employer contributions. We work hard, we play hard and we value a work-life balance. 

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual preference, disability or any factor prohibited by applicable law.

Benefits

Protecting, promoting, and growing the plastics industry has its perks.

Available Positions

Join our team in protecting, promoting, and growing the plastics industry.
Senior Manager, Tradeshow Logistics
Reports To: Executive Director, NPE
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $78,000 - $98,000
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

The Senior Manager, Tradeshow Logistics (NPE) is responsible for leading and executing the comprehensive logistics plan for the NPE tradeshow, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for exhibitors, attendees, and staff. This role involves strategic planning and oversight of logistics, with a strong emphasis on housing and meeting room coordination. The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners. 

Responsibilities:
    Trade Show Housing
  • Collaborate with the Director of Tradeshow Operations to develop and implement the strategy for the NPE housing program, ensuring alignment with overall event goals and objectives.
  • Support contract negotiations for hotel room blocks, working directly with hotel convention services to effectively manage block sizes, monitor attrition rates, and analyze pick-up trends to maximize housing efficiency.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key hotel contacts to facilitate clear communication and support successful contract negotiations.
  • In collaboration with the Director, Tradeshow Operations, conduct hotel site visits to assess facilities, verify accommodations, and address any logistical concerns prior to the event.
  • Work closely with the designated housing vendor through weekly meetings, to manage room blocks, develop user-friendly booking websites, coordinate staff housing and more.
  • Manage the housing budget within set parameters, focusing on revenue and ensuring financial targets are met while keeping the show on track to achieve overall goals.
  • Oversee post-show billing and master bill reconciliation to accurately account for all housing-related expenses and resolve any outstanding financial matters.
    Meeting Room Logistics
  • Work in partnership with the Director of Tradeshow Services to oversee tradeshow logistics related to assigned meeting rooms.
  • Serve as the main point of contact for staff and exhibitors requiring meeting rooms, including managing orders for room setups, food and beverage, audiovisual needs, and room diagrams.
  • Develop and implement a streamlined process that facilitates order placement for staff, as well as systematically collecting and managing meeting room orders.
  • Review of all BEO’s/event orders to ensure accuracy.
  • Work with external tradeshow vendors to place necessary orders for meeting room requirements.
  • Provide onsite support during the event by walking meeting rooms to verify correct setups, catering delivery, audiovisual readiness, and overall compliance with specifications. Address issues promptly to maintain a high standard of service.
  • Tradeshow Logistics
  • In collaboration with the Director, Tradeshow Operations, oversee the management of show signage by establishing a comprehensive timeline for deliverables, facilitating the review process with relevant stakeholders, and ensuring timely order placement.
  • Review, track, and reconcile all vendor post-show invoices, verifying the accuracy of all orders and ensuring that charges are allocated to the correct account numbers.
  • Serve as a point of contact for exhibitors and attendees, providing timely and effective customer service throughout the event via email and phone call.
  • Coordinate and communicate all critical information related to the shipment of show materials, ensuring that logistics are clear and all requirements are met.
  • Collaborate with the entire NPE team to collect all essential documents, assemble the staff onsite handbook, and arrange for its shipment to the event location.
  • Maintain accurate and organized process documentation for all tradeshow logistics activities.
  • Support other trade show projects as assigned, contributing expertise in logistics to broader organizational goals.
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent work experience.
  • A minimum of three years’ experience in a related position in a trade show or convention role; trade association experience preferred.
  • Experience with event management platforms (e.g., iMIS, Map Your Show, etc.) preferred.
  • Experience with project & program management.
  • Experience with managing detailed tradeshow budgets, overseeing revenues and expenses.
  • Experience building, maintaining, and leveraging relationships to collaborate with and influence decision-making boards.
  • Certified in Event Management (CEM) is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Knowledge of tradeshow operations, logistics and best practices.
  • Written and verbal communications skills with diverse stakeholder audiences.
  • Self-motivated with attention to detail, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work well autonomously and collectively to build consensus amongst internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to prioritize and work on various projects simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results.
  • An earnest work ethic and dedication to the collective success of the organization in service of our membership.
  • A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with a variety of colleagues from multiple backgrounds.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to embody and uphold PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation in all interactions and responsibilities.
  • Working knowledge in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Ability to travel (<10%).
Interested? Please apply using the PLASTICS Job Form
About PLASTICS

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization here to support the entire plastics supply chain. We are proud to represent the nearly one million people who are employed by companies in the plastics supply chain in the United States. PLASTICS is a dynamic organization with an ambitious team, striving for growth and success. Together we shape the direction of the entire plastics industry and as a job requirement, have some fun while doing so. Employees have the opportunity to learn, develop, and impact both the industry and our association. We also encourage volunteerism. As a team we seek opportunities to improve the communities in which we work and visit, including organizing riverbank clean-ups.

We offer generous benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, well-being, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions, competitive salaries, and work from home flexibility. We work hard, we play hard, and we value a work-life balance! In fact, we offer unlimited paid time off, and employees take personal time off at their own discretion.

PLASTICS is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, or any factor prohibited by applicable law.

Vice President, Communications
Reports To: President & CEO
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $230,000 - $250,000
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Vice President of Communications is an executive role responsible for strengthening PLASTICS’ visibility, credibility, and influence through strategic narrative development, policy-driven communications, digital engagement, earned media, and reputation management. This position serves as a senior advisor to leadership and works in close partnership with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and internal stakeholders to ensure consistent, compelling, and effective communications. The Vice President plays a critical part in advancing PLASTICS’ policy priorities and industry initiatives by aligning creative storytelling, media engagement, and social media strategy with PLASTICS’ mission and strategic vision.

Responsibilities:
    • Develop and lead PLASTICS’ external communications and public relations strategy, with a focus on media, policymakers, brands, and adjacent industries.
    • Shape and steward the organization’s external narrative to enhance understanding, credibility, and trust in the plastics industry.
    • Oversee the development of creative content and storytelling strategies that communicate positive, credible, and forward-looking stories about the plastics industry across platforms and audiences.
    • Serve as a senior spokesperson and media advisor, managing relationships with journalists and overseeing media engagement in support of policy, narrative, and reputation objectives.
    • Lead earned media efforts, including proactive story development, issue response, and reputational risk management aligned with PLASTICS’ strategic priorities.
    • Develop and oversee crisis communications strategies and protocols.
    • Develop clear, consistent messaging that supports PLASTICS’ mission, strategic vision, and external positioning.
    • Identify and advance thought leadership opportunities for PLASTICS’ leadership and subject-matter experts.
    • Ensure message discipline and quality across all external communications channels and platforms.
    • Partner with the Government Affairs and Policy team to support advocacy priorities through integrated communications strategies.
    • Lead strategic communications initiatives that advance association policy goals, including integrated campaigns.
    • Set and lead PLASTICS’ social media and digital messaging strategy to expand engagement, strengthen reach, and reinforce key narratives across the plastics ecosystem.
    • Collaborate with Marketing to ensure brand alignment and coordinate on external campaigns involving member companies.
    • Provide strategic communications counsel to the President and CEO and the ELT.
    • Lead, develop, and mentor the Communications team, fostering high performance and professional growth
    • Oversee communications budgets, contractors, and external vendors.
    • Continuously evaluate and enhance communications tools, processes, and channels to maximize impact.
    Education & Experience:
    • Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
    • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public relations, or media relations
    • Minimum of five years of experience leading and managing teams
    • Demonstrated success managing earned media, high-profile communications, and sensitive or complex issues
    • Demonstrated success in building and maintaining relationships with media, partners, and internal stakeholders
    • Experience in a trade association, communications firm, or public relations agency preferred
    • Experience working in policy-adjacent, regulated, or issue-driven environments strongly preferred
    Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
    • Expert knowledge of external communications, public relations, and media strategy
    • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft, refine, and adapt communications (e.g., talking points, strategic messages, and stakeholder correspondence) while translating complex issues into clear, compelling narratives
    • Strong strategic judgment, particularly in media engagement and reputational matters
    • Proven ability to think strategically, manage complexity, and lead change in dynamic environments
    • High emotional intelligence, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative leadership style
    • Ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple initiatives, and deliver results under deadline
    • Executive-level discretion and experience working closely with C-suite leadership
    • Commitment to continuous improvement of organizational reputation and effectiveness
    • Dedication to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and values-driven work environment
    • Commitment to embodying and upholding PLASTICS’ core values of ethics, unity, impact, optimism, and innovation
    • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
    • Ability to travel as required
    Interested? Apply here!
    About PLASTICS

    The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is a purpose-driven organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain. From the technological advancements plastics enable to the possibilities they create, PLASTICS is dedicated to helping members shape the future and make a positive impact every day.

    Together, employees at PLASTICS help shape the direction of the plastics industry while learning, growing, and making meaningful contributions along the way.

    PLASTICS is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.