At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product safety and compliance across APAC for innovative consumer products.
- Company: Join a global leader in sustainable fashion and outdoor gear.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and shape the future of responsible product development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product safety and sustainability in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in product stewardship or safety with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
The Senior Manager, Product Stewardship, APAC leads product safety and compliance, material and product testing across Asia Pacific to ensure VF products meet global standards, brand requirements, and applicable regulations. The role owns governance of testing standards, manuals, and risk-based programs across suppliers, vendors, factories, in-house laboratories, and third-party laboratories, and is accountable for maintaining the Project NORMA platform to manage test requests, enable test-result review and approval, and ensure data quality and process adherence. This leader leads APAC Product Stewardship teams across Footwear, Apparel, Accessories, and Equipment; partners with Product Supply, regional offices, and internal and external stakeholders; and builds capability through training, vendor, factory and supplier enablement, user onboarding, and ongoing support to ensure consistent platform adoption and compliant execution. The Senior Manager operates with significant autonomy to shape regional execution of global strategies, represent APAC in global forums and external engagements, and collaborate with AMER and EMEA peers and brands to inform global standard setting.
Principal Accountabilities:
- Regional Product Stewardship & Product Safety Leadership: Lead APAC Product Stewardship teams across Footwear, Apparel, Accessories, and Equipment, ensuring consistent execution of global standards and regional requirements. Own APAC Product Safety governance, including design safety reviews, risk assessments, escalation management, and remediation. Anticipate emerging regulatory, product safety, and customer requirements across global markets and integrate them into product stewardship strategies, acting as the senior regional escalation point for complex product safety, testing, and compliance issues.
- Material & Product Testing Governance: Provide regional leadership for APAC material and product testing programs, ensuring teams review, assess, and approve test reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with global and market-specific standards. Provide clear, consistent guidance to Tier 1 factories, Tier 2 suppliers, and laboratories on corrective action requirements, root cause analysis, re-testing expectations, and SOP adherence/closure criteria. Oversee execution of risk-based testing strategies and alignment across brands and product categories, and lead the Supplier & Factory In-house Laboratory Certification and Proficiency Program, including certification requirements, audit and re-certification cadence, proficiency testing, inter-laboratory comparisons, and CAP management.
- Standard Setting & Global Alignment: Support global product stewardship standard setting by actively engaging with peers in AMER and EMEA, brand teams, and external third-party consultants. Represent APAC perspectives in global working groups, contributing regional insights to global material and product standards and SOPs, product safety standards, and regulatory response strategies, and ensure global standards are translated into clear, practical execution guidance for the region.
- Stakeholder Engagement & External Representation: Establish strong working relationships with leadership and teams in regional offices and with Material Sourcing, Sourcing Development, Sourcing Operations, Quality Operations, and Material Quality teams. Represent the company in external stakeholder engagements, including industry associations, regulators and government bodies, and testing laboratories/technical organizations, and lead engagement when providing technical or regulatory input to external bodies in collaboration with global partners.
- Training, Communication & Capability Building: Design and deliver training programs for internal teams (Material Sourcing, Sourcing Development, Sourcing Operations, Quality Operations, and Material Quality), Tier 1 vendors and factories, Tier 2 material suppliers, in-house testing laboratories, and external testing/technical partners. Ensure training is clear, actionable, and risk-focused, covering product safety principles, testing requirements and interpretation, corrective actions and re-testing processes, and SOP/governance expectations, while embedding a culture of ownership, accountability, and proactive risk management.
- People Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the APAC Product Stewardship team through coaching, technical leadership, and decision support. Set clear expectations, performance objectives, and accountability frameworks aligned with medium-term regional goals.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Technical & Professional Expertise: Deep expertise and advanced knowledge in product stewardship, product safety, and regulatory compliance for consumer products. Strong understanding of material and product testing, including laboratory operations, data interpretation, and test governance. Demonstrated experience managing corrective actions, re-testing, and SOP execution across complex supply chains. Working knowledge of global product safety regulations and APAC market requirements.
- Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across regions, brands, and functions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical topics into clear guidance. Strong facilitation and training capabilities across diverse internal and external audiences.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to interpret incomplete or complex information and develop practical, risk-based solutions. Strong analytical skills to assess trends, testing data, and incident patterns to drive preventive action. Independent decision-making capability with judgment appropriate to senior-level accountability.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Material Science, Textiles, or related field.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in product stewardship, product safety, testing, or regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrated people leadership experience in regional or global roles.
- Experience working across complex multi-brand, multi-country supply chain.
Senior Manager, APAC Product Stewardship employer: VF SINGAPORE OVERSEAS SERVICES PTE. LTD.
As a Senior Manager in APAC Product Stewardship, you will join a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to ensuring product safety and compliance across the Asia Pacific region. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through comprehensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, empowering you to lead impactful initiatives while shaping global standards. With a commitment to sustainability and excellence, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the industry from our vibrant regional hub.
Contact Detail:
VF SINGAPORE OVERSEAS SERVICES PTE. LTD. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, APAC Product Stewardship
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values, especially in product stewardship and compliance. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Get comfortable answering common questions and discussing your experience in product safety and testing governance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to product stewardship in the APAC region.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, APAC Product Stewardship
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in product stewardship and safety. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the Senior Manager role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading teams across various regions, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, especially in a multi-brand or multi-country context.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point while still conveying your expertise and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at VF SINGAPORE OVERSEAS SERVICES PTE. LTD.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of product stewardship and safety regulations, especially those relevant to the APAC region. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in material testing and compliance standards, as this will show that you're not just a candidate, but a knowledgeable leader ready to tackle challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in complex environments. Think about specific situations where you influenced stakeholders or drove change. This role requires strong people leadership, so be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring and developing team members.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Be prepared to discuss real-life scenarios related to product safety and compliance. Think about how you would handle emerging regulatory challenges or complex testing issues. This will demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex technical topics into simple, actionable guidance. During the interview, focus on your communication style and ensure you can convey your ideas clearly. This is key for engaging with diverse stakeholders and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
