VF Corporation is looking for a Senior Manager, Product Sustainability & Circularity to join our Global Sustainability team based in Stabio, Switzerland.
Let’s talk about the role!
As a Senior Manager, Product Sustainability & Circularity, 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, current and emerging regulatory requirements, with a particular emphasis on circularity and product sustainability. The role will partner closely with Europe based brand teams and the global sustainability team to accurately measure and analyze brand data, and utilize brand priorities to drive impact reduction across carbon and waste.
The Senior Manager will drive progress that contributes to VF’s global sustainability goals and prepares VF brands for sustainability-related regulatory compliance. The role requires adept relationship building skills across both internal and external stakeholders.
We are a small team with big responsibilities. We innovate, design and implement sustainability initiatives across VF and its Brands through the lens of our Global Sustainability strategy and emerging regulatory requirements. The Senior Manager leads internal and external engagements and manages a team to collectively meet the future demands and needs of the region in alignment with global VF’s Global Sustainability programs.
How You Will Make a Difference
As Senior Manager, Product Sustainability & Circularity, you will be responsible for the following key activities and programs:
Product Sustainability & Circularity
- Leading a team focused on measuring, reducing, and reporting the impact of VF’s materials and products for Europe based brands or to report for EU specific regulations.
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Building capabilities & processes that improve data quality and analysis for upcoming product impact reporting and disclosures, by building expertise in AI data solutions for analysis and reporting
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Guide brand teams through EU regulation requirements & implement improvements for their product impact data.
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Support global brands with circular product design and innovation, including identification and vetting of circular materials and technologies, including textile to textile recycling, chemical recycling, and closed loop systems for both apparel and footwear materials
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Define and guide VF’s Circular Product Design strategy, aligned with emerging regulatory requirements, brand priorities, and the Global Sustainability Strategy.
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Collaborate with factory engagement teams to assess waste re-integration opportunities for our post-industrial scrap.
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Foster knowledge sharing and collaboration with VF teams in other regions to drive best practice adoption globally to prepare for emerging regulatory compliance.
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Partner with brand marketing, communication teams, and legal to manage and advise on internal and external communications and review externally facing product claims.
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Identify and manage external partners to support key VF circularity and product sustainability initiatives.
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Engage with Brand and VF function teams globally to raise knowledge of the sustainability related regulatory landscape and provide a clear strategic direction to ensure compliance, with a particular focus on ESPR, CSRSD, Repair and Green Claims.
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Represent the Global Sustainability team internally and externally, including key industry association meetings, circularity and sustainability conferences, VF Town Halls, and other events.
Environmental Regulatory Preparedness
- In partnership with VF’s Government Affairs, Global Sustainability, Product Stewardship, Legal teams, and external partners, follow key regulatory developments, provide expert input to emerging policy developments, and represent VF at key meetings and events focused on circularity-related regulatory requirements.
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Lead business process implementation to align with, and maximize opportunities from, upcoming product-related regulatory requirements in the EU.
Retailer Engagement
- Manage all retailer sustainability requests in EMEA, supporting all brands with the necessary knowledge and information. Engage with Brand Product and Sales teams, as well as the Global Traceability team to ensure effective data collection and reporting.
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Engage with key retailers in EMEA to ensure VF brands are strategically positioned from a sustainability perspective (e.g. Zalando)
Critical work relationships:
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Work horizontally across internal functions, including but not exclusive to Brand Teams, 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.
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Work closely with Government Affairs and Legal Counsel to continuously integrate regulatory developments into the VF operational process.
Skills for Success
- Strong leadership skills with ability to manage a broad range of projects and stakeholders.
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You have a deep and proficient understanding of circular design and product sustainability.
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You have knowledge of synthetic materials and textile innovation.
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You have a network of solution providers/innovators in the circularity/sustainability field.
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Excellent stakeholder management skills and able to understand how to successfully lead cross-functional initiatives in highly matrixed organisations.
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8+ years of experience in the field, preferably within the apparel or footwear industry or adjacent industries that share similar industrial production challenges.
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Strong grounding in environmental policy, and EU governance and public policy.
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Fluent in English (written and verbal); other languages are a plus.
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Strong understanding of the product creation cycle for apparel, footwear, and equipment.
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Strong grounding in environmental policy, and EU governance and public policy.
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An understanding of corporate business processes and the industry operating model.
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Familiarity with key sustainability concepts and frameworks, e.g. circularity, decarbonisation levers, LCA, regenerative agriculture, nature impact.
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Ability to successfully support and prioritize multiple projects and teams at one time.
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Exposure to sustainability ratings and reporting frameworks including, but not limited to, GHG Protocol, Science Based Targets initiative, Net Zero, TCFD, CDP and CSRD.
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An ease to manoeuvre between different stakeholder groups and an ability to reconcile diverse inputs into an aligned pathway forward.
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Systems thinker with an ability to understand underlying connections and correlations.
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Strong communicator and enjoys working with people.
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.
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A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do
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An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together
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Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization
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On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives
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A discount card with 50% on all VF brands
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Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks
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!
R-20260420-0002
