Volunteer Leader Opportunities

Volunteer Leaders play a critical role in shaping FPSA’s Councils and Networks.

These roles are designed for members interested in guiding discussion, advancing meaningful initiatives, and collaborating with peers to deliver value to the broader membership. Leadership positions are two-year commitments and include both virtual engagement and in-person participation at FPSA events.

Leadership openings are updated as needs arise, so we encourage members to check back for future opportunities.

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Beverage Council – Vice Chair

2-year term | Virtual + in-person
Meets: Second Monday of each month at 4:00 pm ET

Overview
The Vice Chair supports the Chair in guiding the Beverage Council’s priorities, discussions, and initiatives. This role helps ensure the Council delivers relevant insights, programming, and engagement for FPSA members across the beverage sector.

Current Focus & Projects
The Beverage Council is currently working to organize its next major educational webinar, planned for after July 2026. The group is actively brainstorming timely topics and shaping the scope of the program, with an emphasis on bringing forward diverse industry perspectives.

Topics under consideration include:

• The impact of protein and functional beverages on equipment cleaning (CIP)
• Weight management trends and their implications for beverage manufacturing
• Health and wellness innovations shaping the beverage category

In addition to education, the Beverage Council supports DIGDEEP, a human rights nonprofit serving more than 2.2 million Americans who lack access to running water or a toilet in their home.

Key Responsibilities

• Support planning and facilitation of monthly Council meetings
• Collaborate with the Chair and members on webinar development and speaker outreach
• Help guide discussion topics and project direction
• Participate in in-person leadership meetings at FPSA events
• Support Council fundraising and philanthropic initiatives

Who This Is a Good Fit For

• Members with experience in the beverage sector
• Professionals interested in leadership and collaborative program development
• Those who want to help shape education while supporting a meaningful cause

How to Get Involved
Download the Volunteer Leadership Application for a Council and email the completed form to jjedrlinic@fpsa.org

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Packaging Network – Vice Chair

2-year term | Virtual + in-person
Meets: Third Tuesday of every other month at 11:00 am ET

Overview
The Vice Chair supports the Chair in guiding the Packaging Network’s priorities, discussions, and initiatives. This role helps ensure the Network delivers relevant insights, programming, and engagement for FPSA members.

• Translating sustainability initiatives into measurable business value
  
• How customer and retailer expectations influence packaging strategy and cost decisions
  
• The role of OEMs, producers, and retailers in driving sustainable packaging adoption
  
• Aligning sustainability goals with market demand, margins, and long-term growth

Key Responsibilities

• Support planning and facilitation of monthly Network meetings
• Collaborate with the Chair and members on webinar development and speaker outreach
• Help guide discussion topics and project direction
• Participate in in-person leadership meetings at FPSA events
• Support FPSA fundraising and philanthropic initiatives

Who This Is a Good Fit For

• Members with experience in packaging
• Professionals interested in leadership and collaborative program development
• Those who want to help shape education while supporting a meaningful cause

How to Get Involved
Please email jjedrlinic@fpsa.org your interest in serving as the VC for the Packaging Network and to explore next steps.

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Pet Food Council – Vice Chair

2-year term | Virtual + in-person
Meets: Fourth Thursday of each month at 11:00 am ET

Overview
The Vice Chair supports the Chair in guiding the Pet Food Council’s priorities, discussions, and initiatives. This role helps ensure the Council delivers relevant insights, programming, and engagement for FPSA members across the pet food sector.

Current Focus & Projects

The Pet Food Council is actively shaping a future educational webinar focused on food safety and SOP implementation following new equipment or process changes in pet food plants. The discussion is centered on practical, real-world challenges manufacturers face once new systems are installed and teams transition from planning to execution.

Key themes under development include:

• Communicating SOP changes from headquarters to the plant floor

• Champion-based and “train-the-trainer” models

• Preventing workarounds and reversion to legacy practices

• Lessons learned from recalls, FDA warning letters, or near-misses

• Aligning equipment, design, and food safety expectations

The Council will use FPSA Connect to gather member input, refine learning objectives, and identify potential speakers and case studies. Timing for this webinar is expected to align with the second half of 2026, based on the broader FPSA education calendar.

In addition to education, the Pet Food Council supports FPSA’s philanthropic initiatives, including Pups4Patriots. Alongside fundraising efforts at the annual FSX Charity Auction, the Council also launched its first Walk for Pups4Patriots to raise both awareness and funds in support of this cause.

Key Responsibilities

• Support planning and facilitation of every other month Council meetings
• Collaborate with the Chair and members on webinar development and speaker outreach
• Help guide discussion topics and project direction
• Participate in in-person leadership meetings at FPSA events
• Support Council fundraising and philanthropic initiatives

Who This Is a Good Fit For

• Members with experience in the pet food sector
• Professionals interested in leadership and collaborative program development
• Those who want to help shape education while supporting a meaningful cause

How to Get Involved
Download the Volunteer Leadership Application for a Council and email the completed form to jjedrlinic@fpsa.org

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Need Help or Not Sure Where to Start
FPSA staff are happy to help you explore current and upcoming volunteer opportunities.  Contact us at info@fpsa.org.

 Contact us at info@fpsa.org and we’ll help you get connected.