Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Record of outcomes
35% weight
Check for closed-loop programmes they owned end to end: recycled content targets hit, take-back or refurbishment volumes, EPR fee reductions, material cost avoided, tonnes diverted from landfill.
Evidence to listen for
Names organisations, budgets, and headcount they were actually accountable for
Gives outcomes with numbers, not initiatives with adjectives
Separates what they drove from what the market or a predecessor did
Can describe something they owned that failed
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Titles and initiatives only; no accountable outcomes.
2
Needs Improvement
Claims results the organisation would have had anyway; no scope clarity.
3
Satisfactory
Real accountability with some numbers; attribution occasionally generous.
4
Very Good
Clear scope and measured outcomes, including an honest failure.
5
Excellent
Names specific product lines redesigned, quantifies recycled content, reuse rates and EPR fee savings, and explains what stalled and why.
02
Evaluation factor
Strategic judgement
25% weight
Probe how they choose between repairability, durability, recyclability and cost when they conflict, and how ESPR, digital product passports and CSRD timelines shape their roadmap.
Evidence to listen for
Explains a decision where the options were genuinely close and the information incomplete
Can say what they chose not to do and why
Distinguishes a bet from a certainty
Changes course on evidence rather than defending a position past its life
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Frameworks and slogans; no real decision they can walk through.
2
Needs Improvement
Describes decisions made elsewhere; cannot state the trade-off.
3
Satisfactory
Sound judgement on familiar decisions; less tested on ambiguous ones.
4
Very Good
Walks a genuinely close call, states what they gave up, and changed course on evidence.
5
Excellent
Argues trade-offs with LCA hotspot data and regulatory deadlines, rejecting circularity moves that shift burden or fail unit economics.
03
Evaluation factor
Building and leading teams
25% weight
Assess how they build cross-functional squads spanning design, procurement, packaging engineering and reverse logistics, including how they upskilled teams on ecodesign and material selection.
Evidence to listen for
Has hired, developed, and where necessary removed people
Names someone who grew under them and what they did to cause it
Handles an underperformer directly rather than waiting it out
Builds a team that functions when they are not in the room
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No real people leadership; avoids difficult personnel decisions.
2
Needs Improvement
Managed a team but cannot describe developing or exiting anyone.
3
Satisfactory
Competent manager; development is informal.
4
Very Good
Demonstrable record of growing people and handling underperformance directly.
5
Excellent
Describes a standing circularity working group they chaired, named roles they hired, and design reviews they embedded into stage gates.
04
Evaluation factor
Influence across the business
15% weight
Look for evidence of moving sceptical functions: convincing sourcing to qualify recyclate, finance to fund take-back, or suppliers to share bill-of-materials data.
Evidence to listen for
Wins support from peers and boards without positional authority
Translates their function into terms the rest of the business cares about
Delivers unwelcome news early
Manages up without either capitulating or stonewalling
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Relies entirely on authority; conceals bad news.
2
Needs Improvement
Struggles to influence peers; communicates in function-specific jargon.
3
Satisfactory
Works adequately with peers and leadership.
4
Very Good
Persuades peers and boards on merit and delivers bad news early.
5
Excellent
Cites a specific internal blocker overcome, the commercial case used, and the executive or supplier decision that changed as a result.
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