Sr Manager, Sustainability

VF Corporation is looking for a Senior Sustainability Manager to join our Global Sustainability team based in Stabio, Switzerland.

Let’s talk about the role!     

As a Senior Sustainability Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of working across VF and its portfolio of brands to drive transformative change in alignment with our Global Sustainability strategy and forthcoming regulatory requirements, with a particular emphasis on circularity. This role will be central to driving progress globally that contributes to VF’s global sustainability goals and prepares VF brands for sustainability-related regulatory compliance. The role will require adept relationship building skills across both internal and external stakeholders.

We are a small team with big responsibilities. We innovate, design and implement sustainability/ circularity programs and initiatives across VF and its Brands through the lens of our Global Sustainability strategy and emerging regulatory requirements. The Senior Sustainability Manager will have a key role to play in leading internal and external engagements, and managing a team to collectively meet the future demands and needs of the region and feed into global VF Sustainability programs.

How You Will Make a Difference

As Senior Sustainability Manager, you will be responsible for the following key activities and programs:

Circularity and Resource Use

• Define and guide VF’s holistic global circularity strategy, aligned with emerging regulatory requirements and the Global Sustainability Strategy, building and executing from our ongoing and planned initiatives in product end of use, business model innovation and circular product design.
• Oversee global governance process and lead the implementaion in the EMEA region around management of unsellable product (criteria to assess unsellable product, vetted pathways and partners across recycling, resale or donation, and data collection for compliance/ disclosure) – in collaboration with the Global Sustainability Team, Legal, Product Stewardship, Brand Teams and the VF Foundation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional VF and brand teams to integrate circular economy principles into business operations and product offerings (e.g., in innovation, marketing, operations, design logistics and retail).
• Identify circularity data needed for mandatory and voluntary disclosures globally, and develop and manage workstream to improve quality of and access to data, in collaboration with appropriate DT, Government Affairs, Global Sustainability and Brand teams.
• Innovate circularity pilots and programs in the EMEA region, and share best practices to replicate and implement cross-brand scaling in other regions.
• Participate in the Global Sustainability Leadership Team, and contribute to global strategy for impact reduction, compliance, and reporting obligations.
• Foster knowledge sharing and collaboration with VF teams in other regions to drive best practise adoption globally to prepare for emerging regulatory compliance.
• Represent the Global Sustainability team at key industry association meetings.

Sustainability Incubation, Implementation & transformation across all VF Brand Regions

• Engage with EMEA leadership teams to keep sustainability at the forefront of the Brands’ agendas, ensuring each Brand is aware of the regulatory landscape and has a clear strategic direction to ensure compliance
• Lead circularity engagement with VF brands in the EMEA region, fostering collaboration and driving progress towards global VF and brand sustainability strategies.
• Manage/CO-manage NORA & APAC Circularity & Waste Initiatives
• Partner with brand marketing & communication teams to manage and advise on external comms
• Engage with Brand teams to drive sustainability and circularity objectives, aligned with emerging regulatory compliance and to progress toward public facing voluntary sustainability targets.
• Build strong relationships with Global Sustainability partners across VF brands to share learnings, drive Global alignment, and drive harmonized  programs.
   

Environmental Regulatory Preparedness

• In partnership with VF’s Government Affairs, Global Sustainability, Product Stewardship and Legal teams, as well as external partners, follow key regulatory developments with a particular focus on ESPR.
• Lead business process implementation to align with, and maximise opportunities from, upcoming circularity-related regulatory requirements in the EU.

Critical work relationships:

• Work horizontally across internal functions, including but not exclusive to Global Sustainability, Legal, Finance, Government Affairs, local VF Sales Offices, Supply Chain, Product Stewardship, Digital Technology teams as well as external stakeholders to meet voluntary sustainability and circularity requirements, as well as mandatory regulatory requirements as they evolve.
• Work closely with Government Affairs and Legal Counsel to continuously integrate regulatory developments into the VF operational process.

How You Will Make a Difference

• You are a visionary leader with a down-to-earth attitude. You not only define and articulate a long term mission, but are eager to drive execution and collaborate on problem solving with stakeholders across the business.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to manage a broad range of projects and stakeholders
• Track record of creating and leading circularity programs. You have a deep and nuanced understanding of the circular design and circular business models
• You have a good network of solution providers/innovators in the circularity/ESG field
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and able to understand how to successfully lead cross-functional initiatives in highly matrixed organisations.
• 6+ years of experience in the field, preferably within the apparel or footwear industry or adjacent industries that share similar industrial production challenges.
• Strong grounding in environmental policy, and EU governance and public policy.
• Fluent in English (written and verbal) plus other languages is a plus

Skills for Success

• People leader with a passion for cultivating great team culture and mission
• A boundless curiosity for the planet, nature and thriving ecosystems.
• An understanding of corporate business processes and the industry operating model.
• Self-motivation & self-starter skills, proactive, & able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to successfully support and prioritize multiple projects and teams at one time.
• An understanding of the product creation cycle for apparel, footwear, and equipment.
• Strong grounding in environmental policy, and EU governance and public policy.

• Familiarity with key sustainability concepts and frameworks, e.g. circularity, decarbonisation levers, LCA, regenerative agriculture, nature impact.
• Exposure to sustainability ratings and reporting frameworks including, but not limited to, GHG Protocol, Science Based Targets initiative, Net Zero, TCFD, CDP and CSRD.
• An ease to manoeuvre between different stakeholder groups and an ability to reconcile diverse inputs into an aligned pathway forward.
• Systems thinker with an ability to understand underlying connections and correlations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to effectively work cross-functionally across the organization, and with external consultants.
• Is a strong communicator and enjoys working with people.

Educational/ Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, CSR, economics, environmental studies, management information systems, engineering, finance, or similar field
• Masters degree preferred.

About VF

VF is a global apparel company connecting people to the lifestyles they cherish through our family of iconic brands. At the heart of our journey lies our purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It’s the reason we come to work every day. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling. Learn more at vfc.com

What’s in it For You

We’re in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That’s why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we’re the total package.

• A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do
• An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together
• Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization
• On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives
• A discount card with 50% on all VF brands
• Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks

This post is not eligible for relocation support.

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity 

As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you!