At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage ethical trade and human rights programmes across Matalan's global supply base.
- Company: Join Matalan, a forward-thinking retailer committed to equality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% staff discount, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in ethical trade while working with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in ethical trade or social compliance, ideally in fashion retail.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong potential for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Matalan
From humble beginnings to disruptive innovations in the retail industry, find out about how Matalan is ever-evolving here. We know as a team, we are stronger together; we champion equality for all and make lasting connections that go beyond work. We thrive off our inclusive culture, encouraging our colleagues to bring their true selves to work and contributing to collective creativity, open-mindedness and growth. We want to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the application and interview process and then ultimately in their role. If you require any adjustments during our recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
About the role
To manage Matalan's ethical trade and human rights due diligence programmes across the global supply base, ensuring supplier compliance, effective remediation, and continuous improvement in labour standards.
- Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Governance: Input into the company’s Code of Conduct, policies, and standards (e.g. Modern Slavery, Responsible Purchasing Practices).
- Programme Delivery: Implement the Ethical Trade and Human Rights strategy aligned to business objectives and ESG commitments. Manage ethical trade activity across allocated regions, suppliers or product categories. Ensure timely completion of projects and initiatives. Drive continuous improvement rather than audit-only compliance.
- Supplier Engagement: Build strong relationships with suppliers and agents to improve labour standards. Support suppliers in understanding Code of Conduct requirements and remediation expectations. Escalate and manage serious or zero-tolerance issues.
- Risk Management: Conduct and maintain ethical trade risk assessments for suppliers and regions. Work closely with Buying and Sourcing teams to manage risk in supplier selection and order placement. Track and report on KPIs, risks and progress.
- Legislation & Reporting: Support delivery of Modern Slavery statements and due diligence reporting. Ensure accurate data capture and documentation for internal and external reporting.
- Collaboration: Build on relationships and represent the business with external stakeholders, initiatives and NGOs (e.g. ETI, BSCI, ILO, Industriall, industry forums). Partner with Buying, Sourcing and Technical teams to integrate ethical trade into day-to-day decision-making. Deliver training and guidance to internal stakeholders.
About You
- Experience in ethical trade or social compliance, ideally within fashion retail.
- Strong knowledge of apparel supply chains and common labour risks.
- Experience managing audits, remediation and supplier improvement plans.
- Confident communicator with the ability to challenge and influence.
- Analytical and organised, with strong reporting skills.
Benefits
In addition to competitive salaries, we also offer the below core benefits: 20% staff discount, which increases with length of service, Thrive Recognition Scheme, Wellbeing support provided by the Retail Trust, Life Assurance, Retail Rewards platform offering discounts for other retailers, Pension Scheme, Access to a wide range of career development. Additional benefits may apply depending on your role and area of the business.
Ethical Trade Manager in Liverpool employer: Matalan
Contact Detail:
Matalan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ethical Trade Manager in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the ethical trade and fashion retail sectors. Use LinkedIn to connect with current Matalan employees or industry professionals. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Matalan's values and recent initiatives. Show us you understand our commitment to ethical trade and human rights. Tailor your responses to reflect how your experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in ethical trade can contribute to Matalan’s mission. We love candidates who can clearly articulate their value and how they can help us improve labour standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, if you need any adjustments during the process, just let us know – we’re here to help you shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Ethical Trade Manager in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Ethical Trade: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for ethical trade shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your commitment to improving labour standards and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Ethical Trade Manager role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with Matalan's values and objectives.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help us understand your qualifications quickly and easily!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the post early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Head over to our website and apply as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Matalan
✨Know Your Ethical Trade Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ethical trade and social compliance, especially within the fashion retail sector. Familiarise yourself with Matalan's Code of Conduct and any relevant legislation like Modern Slavery. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the industry's nuances.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a confident communicator, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to challenge and influence during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with suppliers or stakeholders in the past. This will highlight your interpersonal skills and your fit for the collaborative culture at Matalan.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management
Since risk management is a key part of the role, come prepared to discuss how you've conducted risk assessments in previous positions. Share specific examples of how you've managed risks in supplier selection or order placement, and be ready to talk about the outcomes of those decisions.
✨Prepare Questions About Continuous Improvement
Matalan values continuous improvement over mere compliance, so think of insightful questions to ask about their current initiatives. This shows your proactive mindset and genuine interest in driving positive change within the company. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and demonstrate your alignment with their values.