Supply Chain Sustainability Manager

Company Description: The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour’s wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered. Position Overview: We have an exciting opportunity for a Supply Chain Sustainability Manager to join our Supply Chain team based at our Head Office in South Shields. This role will be key in supporting our Senior Sustainability Manager in further implementing activities to support our environmental sustainability commitments. You will have a strong focus on working with our suppliers to advance sustainability commitments including energy, waste, water and biodiversity. The role will work very closely with our suppliers and utilise our new traceability system, to monitor supplier performance and identify and address associated risks and opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity to further advance Barbour’s sustainability activities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Develop strong working relationships with Barbour’s suppliers and implement processes, policies and training as required to support Barbour’s environmental sustainability commitments. Stay up to date of current and proposed legislation and best practice relating to environmental sustainability in supply chains. Onboard suppliers to Barbour’s new supplier information and traceability system and ensure suppliers utilise the system fully and correctly through developing procedures, training, monitoring and reporting. Monitor suppliers adherence to Barbour’s environmental sustainability commitments and policies through multiple means including receiving and reviewing environmental audit reports and setting and monitoring appropriate KPIs. Identify key areas of environmental risk within the supply chain and implement appropriate actions to address priorities. Manage adherence to the requirements of various certification schemes and standards which support Barbour’s environmental sustainability commitments in the supply chain. Obtain, manage, analyse and report on a wide variety of environmental sustainability information and data points to support reporting and progress against Barbour’s sustainability commitments. Complete sustainability reports and respond to customer queries relating to environmental sustainability. Form a key part of Barbour’s sustainability team, help embed a culture of sustainability throughout the business and contribute to other areas of sustainability activity as required. Skills and Experience: Degree level qualification or equivalent in a related subject. Demonstrable interest and experience in environmental sustainability, ideally within the fashion sector. Strong knowledge of sustainability legislation and best practice, ideally in relation to fashion supply chains. Proven experience of building strong working relationships and influencing key stakeholders such as suppliers and other teams within the business. Excellent communication skills. Able to articulate concepts and requirements to a variety of audiences. High level of attention to detail. Strong data management and numeracy skills. Competent user of IT packages, including Microsoft Office. Able to work in a fast-paced, challenging and often changing environment. Displays curiosity, an enthusiasm for solving problems and the motivation to achieve long-term outcomes. Able to prioritise and organise workload, and to work independently within a very small team. Benefits: Discretionary Company bonus scheme Staff Discount Staff Shop Healthcare Cash Plan 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays Access to training and development activities to support your career development Free onsite parking Subsidised canteen Operate hybrid & flexible working 4pm finish on a Friday Wellbeing support Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.