Sector Associate

Our preference is for a candidate living and working in the United Kingdom or Europe. This hiring process is not supported by a visa sponsorship or relocation package.

About ZDHC

The ZDHC Foundation develops and implements the Roadmap to Zero Programme with a focus on reducing the chemical footprint of the Fashion Industry. We are the leading sustainability organisation driving sustainable chemistry, innovations and best practices in textile, apparel, leather and footwear manufacturing to protect consumers, workers and the environment. Through collaborative engagement, alignment and large-scale implementation, we take a holistic approach to sustainable chemical management and enable tangible progress in the wider industry through the delivery of guidelines, platforms and solutions including capacity building and innovation projects. For more information about ZDHC see www.roadmaptozero.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Vision & Mission

The ZDHC Vision is a World in which better chemistry leads to the protection of life, land, air and water. The ZDHC Mission is to lead our global value chain to achieve the highest standard for sustainable chemical management, driving resource efficiency and circularity.

Job Purpose

This is an exciting opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation and contribute directly to the supplier programme, which drives tangible impact across global supply chains by supporting the implementation of sustainable chemical management across apparel, footwear, and associated industries.

The Sector Associate will focus on coordinating day-to-day stakeholder engagement and programme activities, helping to ensure structured supplier (manufacturers) engagement, effective information flow, consistent follow-up, and the monitoring and consolidation of feedback to support ongoing programme development.

This role is well-suited to someone who is highly organised, collaborative, and comfortable working in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment, with a strong interest in the practical implementation of sustainable chemical management in global supply chains.

• Establish and maintain a structured monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework for the supplier programme to generate actionable insights, demonstrate progress, and support continuous improvement.

• Manage a cross-functional supplier engagement calendar to ensure a balanced and coordinated approach to supplier engagement.

• Coordinate stakeholder meetings and events, including various activities, such as agenda development, scheduling, minute-taking, and follow-up on agreed actions.

• Develop and manage a dedicated, streamlined communication channel for suppliers, supporting clear and consistent information sharing.

• Coordinate programme activities (e.g. Queries, consultations, pilots, reviews) with internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Maintain supplier records and engagement information in the CRM (Salesforce).

• Maintain publicly available Supplier Programme content, ensuring consistency and clear communication of updates to relevant stakeholders.

• Represent ZDHC at virtual and in-person events and meetings.

• Work closely with the Sector Lead - Suppliers to support cross-functional alignment, expansion of the programme into associated industries, and convergence efforts with similar certification and verification schemes.

• Provide additional ad hoc programme and engagement support from time to time.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, supply chain, or a related field.

• At least 2 years of professional experience in manufacturing, chemical management, multi-stakeholder organisations, or related fields.

• Relationship-building skills, with experience engaging external stakeholders from diverse cultural and organisational backgrounds.

• Ability to communicate confidently and clearly in English.

• Skilled in data analysis and interpretation.

• Organisational skills and good attention to detail.

• Willingness to travel internationally up to 10% of the time.

• Experience using CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) or similar is a plus.

• Familiarity with voluntary sustainability schemes and ISEAL is a plus.

ZDHC Specific Attributes

• Team player with an international background – able to work well and create strong positive relationships with individuals from a range of different cultural backgrounds.

• Able to manage multiple work activities and deliver results in a timely and efficient manner.

• Goal-oriented, results-driven, whilst also being a confident communicator.

• Self-driven and motivated.

• Confidently operate in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment.

• Able to proactively initiate and take responsibility for results and work activities that may not be specifically identified in this job description.

• Flexible with a high tolerance for ambiguity.

• Practical and pragmatic - exhibit a ‘can-do' attitude that is solution-oriented

• Strong analytical ability to interpret information and translate it into solutions and/or improvements.

• Able to establish strong positive relationships with relevant stakeholders.

What we offer

• 25 holidays a year, based on 40 hours a week

• Gym membership allowance

• Access to Open Up - for your mental wellbeing

• Hybrid and flexible working environment

• Support in setting up your workstation at home

• Working remote - up to 6 weeks of remote work per year

• Working abroad development experience - the opportunity to work abroad from one of our offices (Netherlands, USA, Italy, China, India, Portugal) for 1-3 months

• MacBook and Iphone

In addition, there are regional benefits, depending on the location of hire. Those will be discussed during the interview process.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to join a small team and a growing organisation at a critical time and to be a part of the evolving ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme to make a genuine impact on the global textile and footwear sector.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our preference is for a candidate living and working in the United Kingdom or Europe. This hiring process is not supported by a visa sponsorship or relocation package.

To apply: Please submit your CV and a 1-page motivation letter in PDF and click the button below "Apply for this job" where you can upload the documents.