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Job description

Textile Sustainability Specialist – Chemistry and Processing

1. Background

Textile Exchange (TE, formerly Organic Exchange) is a non-profit operating internationally since 2002, with a mission to inform and equip people to accelerate sustainability practices across the global textile supply chain.

Textile Exchange’s approach is unique and innovative in many respects, including:

We focus on the entire value chain, from seed development through retail. We provide information, tools, training and technical assistance on a wide variety of textile sustainability topics such as materials, integrity, product and value chain development and sustainability lenses / impacts.

Textile Exchange is one of the few non-profit organizations with a proven global approach to developing markets. It has been particularly effective in addressing the global issues impacting organic cotton production and consumption. Because this is a tested and proven model, it has great promise when applied to other sustainable fibers and textiles as well.

Our work focuses on building demand and supply simultaneously. Our demand efforts focus at the brand and retail level. Building demand at the brand level helps increase production and enables suppliers to create short- and long-term production schedules.

Textile Exchange believes in the power of collaboration to produce positive and achievable results.

2. Key Responsibilities

Textile processing and chemistry related (approx. 80%)

Defining, leading and driving the implementation of TE’s strategy on textile processing, green chemistry and toxics.

Develop and maintain an expertise and a relevant network around textile processing, green chemistry and toxics, including a working knowledge of textile testing, mechanical and chemical.

Keep up to date with market developments (best practices, innovations, suppliers, etc.) in the field of textile processing green chemistry, and toxics, and make this information available centrally.

Act as the point of reference for TE’s team with regards to textile wet processing, green chemistry and toxics. As such, s/he will support and enable the work TE does on this matter for the industry, its community of members, and individual companies and organizations and perform the following duties:

• Give input, review and feedback on TE own standards, training programs, support materials, etc.

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• Represent Textile Exchange at industry working groups and initiatives such as SAC (Sustainable Apparel Coalition), ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Substances), OIA (Outdoor Industry Association) and EOG (European Outdoor Group).

• Develop and deliver trainings and workshops at industry events, TE seminars, focused company meetings, through webinars and to staff.

• Respond to questions from TE’s members and other industry agents as needed.

• Contribute to members’ services and consulting agreements upon request, as project manager and/or content provider.

Other responsibilities (approx. 20%)

• Support TE’s outreach and network development activities, usually at industry and TE events. • Support TE’s work on materials and offer back up for TE’s materials specialist, including the delivery

of presentations, training and advisory services.

3. Profile

• Based in North America • Relevant degree on textile chemistry or environmental engineering • At least 6 years of experience within textile production, textile technology, textile supply chain

management or other relevant areas • Knowledge and experience in:

- Textile, apparel and/or footwear industry - Raw materials, production and processes used - Certification and environmental management systems - Sustainability, preferably in textiles - Change management

• Fluency in English and preferably one other major European language • Excellent communication skills, bridge-builder, strong interpersonal and intercultural skills • Pro-active and independent worker • Pragmatic, customer / service / result-oriented • Availability to travel regionally and internationally

4. Working arrangements

A challenging and rewarding position with a dynamic and internationally operating organization.

Home based and reporting to TE Director of Industry Engagement.

Part-time, with the opportunity to increase dedication after the first months/year.

Terms and conditions are up to market standards.

If interested, please send your CV and motivation letter before December 18, 2012 to:

Sandra Castañeda-Elena, director of industry engagement, sandra@textileexchange.org

www.textileexchange.org