Senior Product Sustainability Specialist

Job title:

Senior Product Sustainability Specialist

Company

River Island

Job description

Senior Product Sustainability SpecialistDepartment: CSREmployment Type: Permanent – Full TimeLocation: HybridDescriptionWe’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions.This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.What We Are Looking For…Job Purpose:The Senior Product Sustainability Specialist at River Island supports the implementation of the RI ESG Strategy. With a focus on the delivery of the product sustainability strategy targets, you will work closely, building strong relationships with, the Responsible Sourcing, Buying and Design & Supply Chain teams. You are a sustainability expert, sharing knowledge & resources with your RI peers & suppliers in ways that engage & upskill on all areas of Scope 3 Carbon Emission Reduction such as, certified sustainable materials usage, product circularity, material transparency and lower tier mapping to fibre and farm level. You will develop & build innovative guides, tools & communications to help upskill RI commercial teams,to drive RI sustainability standards forward, in line with RI Brand and 3rd Party Brand priorities & alongside broader business objectives. You keep abreast of changing global ESG sustainability legislation and understand timelines to implement change at pace. You will oversee the collation and reporting of Product and Supply Chain Sustainability Data with your manager, including accurate reporting of Scope 3 Carbon Footprint, Fibre Switches, Supply Chain and Circular Design data.Key Accountabilities:

• Implement environmental sustainability strategies focusing on carbon footprint reduction, through fibre switching and circular design, water and waste reduction & supply chain energy efficiencies using the Carbon Trust Data and the Higg Index Tool.
• Develop detailed roadmaps, with the Head of Responsible Materials, to deliver sustainability plans across RI raw materials including for all fibres including denim, leather, footwear and accessories.
• Work with RI Data Analysts and The Carbon Trust to review risks, analyse sustainable materials progress, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and sustainability practices across product and packaging.
• Manage and coordinate sustainability-related projects and activities.
• Support collaborative cross functional workstreams internally and externally with suppliers, and customers to develop engaging decarbonisation plans.
• Deliver training programs on Net Zero benefits and sustainable practices in a Gen Z accessible manner such as TikTok’s and soundbites.
• Work alongside compliance and fabric teams to engage in upskilling both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring regulatory compliance and building an audit process.
• Managerelevant external stakeholder partnerships and memberships such as BRC, Textiles2030, Textiles Exchange, Cotton Connect etc.
• Engage with external partners and represent River Island as required at industry events.
• Research build and design and build out RI circularity strategies, including closed-loop systems, product life extension, hiring, take back and sustainable material sourcing.
• Build the River Island Circular Design Manual, Training manuals and programs.
• Identify opportunities for reducing water and waste and enhancing resource efficiency throughout the product lifecycle.
• Analyse energy consumption, carbon emissions and sustainability practices across Scope 1, 2 and 3.
• With the Compliance Manager, establish and maintain external network of standards and industry bodies to establish a knowledge & consultative resource to provide ongoing awareness of market trends, to assist in the achievement of RI sustainability goals.
• Be able to manage any junior members of the team. This will include mentoring, objectives setting and support to enable that person to work to the best of their ability.

Key Experience Required:

• Previous experience within a sustainability role, ideally within a fashion retailer, Sustainability Consultancy or NGO.
• Degree in Sustainability or fashion related field with a minimum 3-years’ experience in Sustainability/Responsible sourcing for a clothing retailer or supplier to the retail industry.
• Computer literate using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook & other IT Systems to a high level.

Job Role Competencies:

• Excellent commercial and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy focused
• Skilled decision maker and problem solver.
• Skilled interpersonal and collaboration skills and self- management.
• Builds strong relationships with peers, highly collaborative approach
• Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change
• Passion for the RI brand and customer
• Ability to influence peers and senior management
• Skilled in project management processes, highly organised with ability to prioritisation task/workflows.

This Is For You…

• Discount – Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself & a bargain staff shop, all onsite!
• RI Rewards – Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
• Island culture – We have a free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café & various social events throughout the year. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
• Work that stays at work – Flexible working is a given, on top of payday early finishes and Summer Fridays
• Family Hub – Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment
• Giver Island – Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and matched funding
• Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
• Pension – A contributory private pension scheme
• Bonus – A generous bonus scheme
• Healthcare – With the choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA
• Holiday – 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday for whatever the need!

We mentioned the discount, right?Keeping You Safe…At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values- including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. To find out more, please visit www.gov.ukEvery Islander CountsOur Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

Expected salary

Location

London

Job date

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 22:16:28 GMT

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