Senior Sustainability Manager

VF Corporation is looking for an exceptional Senior Sustainability Manager to join our EMEA Sustainability team based in Stabio, Switzerland.

Let’s Talk about the Role

As a Senior Sustainability Manager, you’ll be at the forefront of transforming VF’s business capabilities in alignment with our Global Sustainability strategy and forthcoming regulatory requirements. This role will be central to driving progress in the EMEA region that contributes to VF’s global sustainability goals, and will require adept relationship building skills across both internal and external stakeholders.

YOUR TEAM

We are a small team with big responsibilities. We design and implement the sustainability programs and initiatives across VF and its Brands in the EMEA region, and help in shaping the future of the organization. We do research, create strategies, implement projects, and innovate product and processes through the lens of our global sustainability strategy, and emerging regulatory requirements. The Senior Sustainability Manager will have a key role to play in shaping the team to meet the future demands and needs of the region and feed into global VF Sustainability programs.

YOUR MISSION

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

Environmental Regulatory Preparedness

• In partnership with VF’s Government Affairs, Global Sustainability, Product Stewardship and Legal teams, as well as external partners, follow EU and global environmental regulatory developments.
• Act as subject matter expert and the essential point of knowledge and contact for the business on upcoming sustainability-related regulations in the EU, and collaborate with VF teams in other regions to inform the Global Sustainability strategy.
• Lead on collating information and insights to input into the EU policy development process in line with VF’s public policy strategy.
• Transpose regulatory developments into forthcoming business requirements, and disseminate information through to key stakeholders across the business.

Sustainability Incubation, Implementation & Transformation

• Assess the business status quo against forthcoming requirements, and identify capability and capacity needs.
• Establish pathways to educate and upskill key stakeholders, across both regional and global functions, as critical enablers in the transformational effort required.
• In partnership with the Brand Sustainability Operations team, be a thought partner to incubate and implement critical regulatory requirements, e.g. ESPR performance & information requirements,  eco-modulation pathways across packaging & textiles, product impact transparency & circularity indicators.
• Further develop the global coverage of EPR across key markets for VF and provide guidance and expertise to the global eco-modulation strategy and implementation.
• Be responsible for process documentation & SOP creation as well as risk advisory & controllership in close collaboration with internal & external expert stakeholders.
• People management & development responsibility, covering a team working across Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) preparedness, regional Energy Efficiency compliance & action (EED), and other key initiatives.  

YOUR STORY

• 5+ years of experience in the field, preferably within the apparel or footwear industry or adjacent industries that share similar industrial production challenges.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and able to understand how to successfully lead cross-functional initiatives in highly matrixed organisations.
• Strong grounding in environmental policy, and EU governance and public policy.
• Excellent analytical skills & process thinking to translate complex external issues from multiple sources into tangible & streamlined guidance for a wider set of internal stakeholders.
• Experience in governance & process design, risk advisory & controls, working against assurance readiness.
• An ease to manoeuvre between different stakeholder groups and an ability to reconcile diverse inputs into an aligned pathway forward. 

Skills for Success

• A boundless curiosity for the planet, nature and thriving ecosystems.
• An understanding of corporate business processes and the industry operating model.
• Excellent analytical skills & process thinking to translate complex external issues from multiple sources into tangible & streamlined guidance for a wider set of internal stakeholders.
• Iterative thinking capacity against long term ambitions.
• An expertise in business transformation initiatives with a focus on technology, systems or operating transformation.
• Experience in governance & process design, risk advisory & controls, working against assurance readiness.
• Strong grounding in environmental policy, and EU governance and public policy.
• Familiarity with key sustainability concepts and frameworks, e.g. circularity, decarbonisation levers, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), energy efficiency management.
• 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.
• Self-motivation and self-starter skills, proactive, and able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to effectively work cross-functionally across the organization, and with external consultants.
• Ability to successfully support and prioritize multiple projects and teams at one time.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills are a must.

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

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity 

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, 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.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, VF is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both VF associates and applicants alike.