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.

Director of Federal Government Affairs

Reports To: Vice President of Government Affairs

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $122,000-$155,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

The Director of Federal Government Affairs serves as PLASTICS’ lead advocate before Congress and the Executive Branch, advancing the association’s priorities across key policy areas including manufacturing, energy, chemicals, trade, tax, environment, and sustainability.

Responsibilities:

Promotes the plastics industry’s agenda through direct lobbying of Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch to ensure sound policies for innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
Consistently builds, maintains, and enhances relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and administration, and regulatory officials to influence outcomes of government activities impacting the U.S. plastics industry.
Advises members on the impact of policy initiatives in Congress and the federal government and assists in members’ understanding of compliance rules.
Assists in the strategic development of PLASTICS’ positions on federal legislation and proposed rules and guidance.
Represents PLASTICS’ on industry and issue-based coalitions and other stakeholder groups to make sure our voice and positions are heard.
In concert with the Government Affairs teams, manages aspects of the Plastics Industry Fly-In to produce an effective in-person lobbying event for members to interact with Members of Congress.
Works to engage members in advocacy so that Members of Congress can interact directly with their constituents in the plastics industry such as deploying grassroots resources when legislative activity warrants industry action and coordinating plant tours for Members of Congress to visit member companies’ facilities.
Oversees PLASTICS’ Political Action Committee (PAC) with support from the Vice President of Government Affairs, developing and executing annual plans to grow member participation, strengthen engagement, and strategically direct disbursements to key candidates.
Ensures full compliance with all federal lobbying disclosure requirements and Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations governing PAC operations and political activity.
Facilitate internal meetings by preparing agendas, capturing key decisions and action items, and ensuring follow-through to advance organizational priorities
Oversee program logistics and execution, including scheduling, calendar management, meeting preparation, and follow-up to ensure seamless coordination and delivery of strategic initiatives.
Champion member engagement by supporting communications, responding to inquiries, and ensuring a high-quality experience for association members and partners.
Maintain organized documentation and knowledge management systems to support continuity, collaboration, and institutional memory across departments.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in politics, government affairs, or a related field.
A minimum of five years’ experience in a similar or related position in government affairs, encompassing both direct lobbying and grassroots advocacy; experience in government representing corporations or associations on a variety of policy issues; Capitol Hill, Executive Branch, trade-association, lobbying firm, corporate or plastic industry experience required.
Experience cultivating relationships with stakeholders.
Experience in political fundraising.
Experience with the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee on issues such as sustainability, recycling, energy, and materials policy.
Experience managing a federal political action committee (PAC) and filing lobbying disclosure acts (LDA).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism, judgment, and accountability—serving as a trusted representative of PLASTICS in high-profile policy, political, and member-facing environments.
Understanding of the legislation and regulatory processes, the role of lobbying and grassroots mobilization, and federal compliance for political action committees.
Excellent written and verbal communication including presentation skills with diverse stakeholder audience.
Self-motivated with attention to detail and excellent analytical, strategic, problem-solving, organizational, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to work well autonomously and collectively to build consensus amongst 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 organization's success in service of our membership.
A commitment to promoting and working in an inclusive and diverse environment with 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 of Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to travel (<15%).

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.

Senior Manager, Content Programming

Reports To: Senior Director, Industry Engagement (Equipment)

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid) Or Remote

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $81,000-$101,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

The Senior Manager, Content Programming, is responsible for supporting the development and curation of customer-centered content across PLASTICS trade shows and educational events, including NPE, National Plastics Conference, FlexForum, Vinyl Week, and other programs. The role serves as a key connector between member companies and internal teams, ensuring that educational programming reflects industry needs and trends. This position is responsible for translating member insights into relevant, high-impact learning experiences across diverse formats and audiences.

Responsibilities:

Content Strategy & Development
- Identify and curate industry-relevant themes, topics, and speakers for all educational programs.
- Support the development of a multi-event content strategy aligned with member interests, industry trends, and organizational priorities.
- Manage the submission, review, and selection of session proposals and speaker requests to ensure high-quality, engaging programming.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Marketing & Events and Sustainability to align content themes with delivery formats and ensure cohesive programming across events.
- Maintain a content calendar and speaker pipeline to ensure coverage of priority topics and diverse representation.
- Track and coordinate assigned content-related costs, including speaker fees and travel, to support accurate budget forecasting and reporting.
Member Engagement & Speaker Relations
- Serve as the primary liaison for member companies regarding content and speaker opportunities.
- Build and maintain relationships with industry experts, thought leaders, and potential speakers.
- Attend external industry events to identify trends and expand the speaker network.
- Interview and vet speakers to ensure alignment with content themes and audience needs.
- Coordinate with Marketing & Events teams on speaker logistics including travel, bios, AV needs, and session formats.
- Support speakers throughout planning and onsite execution to ensure continuity and quality.
- Ensure consistent outreach to companies across all events to streamline engagement.
Attendee Experience Enhancements
- Work with NPE and Marketing & Events teams to support smaller activations within larger events such as networking lounges, innovation showcases, and speaker meet-and-greets.
- Contribute ideas that enhance attendee engagement and reinforce event themes.
- Ensure activations reflect member interests and support the educational and networking goals of events.
Committee Management
- Manage the NPE Content Committee, including agendas, minutes, materials, and strategic guidance.
- Participate in planning committees for other events, providing content expertise and speaker recommendations.
- Prepare materials such as presentation slides, speaker proposals, and content strategy updates.
Project Management & Reporting
- Provide regular progress updates to internal stakeholders and event planning committees.
- Maintain documentation in project management tools to track speaker outreach, content development, and committee deliverables.
- Ensure cross-functional teams have up-to-date information to support seamless collaboration and execution.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communications, a related field, or equivalent work experience.
A minimum of three years’ experience in a similar or related content, and event programming position preferably in a trade association.
Experience in the plastics, plastics-related sectors, manufacturing, and/or sustainability preferred.
Experience managing speaker outreach and engagement across multiple programs.
Experience with project management tools (e.g., Airtable).
Experience with event management, floor planning management platforms, and customer relationship management tools (e.g., iMIS, Map Your Show, and Hubspot) is a plus.
Experience with committee management is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Proven ability to translate industry trends into compelling educational content.
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 prioritize and work on a variety of projects simultaneously and adjust to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results.
Ability to work well autonomously and collectively to build consensus.
Ability to provide customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
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 of Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to travel (<20%).

Interested? Please apply using the PLASTICS Job Form

About PLASTICS

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

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.