Ethical Trade & Environmental Sustainability (ET/ES) Operations: We aim to deliver amazing fashion at amazing prices to Primark customers, whilst maintaining the highest levels of rigour, protecting the people who make our products, ensuring social, environmental and structural compliance. We operate as ‘one team’ with the rest of the business.

Purpose of role: Leads the strategic development and delivery of the Chemicals Management and Air Management Roadmaps.

Reports to: Senior Technical Manager

Direct Reports: Executive and Coordinators

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Strategy

Responsible for the governance of the Primark Chemical & Pollution Management program, including ownership of the Primark RSL

Leads the development and implementation of a Chemicals Management and Air Management Roadmap

Responsible for elevating chemicals management performance of the supply base, inclusive of compliance and sustainable chemistry

Responsible for elevating the management of air emissions within the supply chain, inclusive of compliance and to support future-state implementation of industry air emissions guidelines via the ZDHC.

Provides guidance for both central and regional teams responsible for implementation of the Chemicals & Air Roadmaps

Provides direction into Primark Cares initiatives, where connected to chemistry and air

Assists in the development and implementation of Chemicals/Air SOPs

Establish a systems roadmap for chemical inventory management & InCheck

Monitoring

Continues to manage, and evolve, a robust monitoring programme via Cleanchain, using industry-led data to evaluate program performance

Improve business intelligence metrics by proactively supporting continuous improvement of monitoring tools and dashboards

Solutions

Supports continuous improvement of supplier/facility performance metrics

Actively seeks external stakeholders to involve in continuous improvement

Actively monitors and identifies industry developments for relevant technical innovations

Supports the identification and integration of solutions to programme-wide challenges, including supply chain capability

Team Management

Manages direct reports (2) and identifies future resourcing needs as required

Maintains the highest degree of integrity in all operations and at all times

Acts on behalf of the ES team in communications where appropriate, representing team strategy

Supports ad-hoc tasks e.g. annual team meeting, across wider activities when required

Internal Engagement

Direct point of contact for internal teams on Chemistry & Air Programs

Direct point of contact for suppliers regarding Chemistry and Air Programs (in collaboration with regional teams)

Delivers training and engagement on relevant topics

Leads Chemistry and Air topics at Supplier Key Lines events

Engages across all departments and levels with confidence and gravitas

Coordinates internal and external engagement on relevant topics

External Stakeholder Engagement

Active engagement with ZDHC, SAC, Textile Exchange, Leather Working Group,

Assists in shaping the future of industry tools, such as ZDHC SLP and SAC HIGG FEM

Manages relevant topics with contractors and service providers

Works with fabric suppliers to commercialise more sustainable practices

Reporting & Data

Establishes and maintains a robust approach to tracking and reporting on program performance.

Continues to refine data analytics and reporting to improve program performance

Track and report data on programme initiatives, streamlining data into central systems

Ensures security of data and integrity of information used and shared

Performs ad-hoc reporting for Primark’s Communications/Reporting and ABF as required

Knowledge & Experience:

Qualified in Chemistry, Sustainability, Environmental Science or other relevant area to degree level (BSc/MSc) and further qualifications desired

Relevant management expertise of >5 years, ideally

Excellent knowledge of product manufacturing processes, including chemistry

Project management and leadership skills

Excellent organisation, communication, administration and IT skills

Strong experience of industry initiatives

Complexity & Creativity:

Ability to be flexible across scope and responsibilities

Works autonomously to coordinate activities

Confident to contribute to programme development

A solutions focused approach to addressing challenges

Judgements & Decisions:

Appreciates the bigger picture of the Primark Environmental Sustainability programme, and links it into the Primark ways of working and business culture

Exercises patience with the scope, complexity and evolution of the programme, being comfortable with ambiguity

Responsible for managing operational budget decisions

Operational Responsibility

Ensuring the day-to-day roll-out and coordination of the Chemistry & Air objectives/Roadmap

Facilitating engagement of both internal and external stakeholders directly and/or indirectly associated with the programme

Ensuring transparency of program performance using clear reporting tools

Contacts & Communication

Primark Buying, Sourcing and Compliance Teams, Environmental Managers, Global Ethical Trade Team, Primark Suppliers/Facilities and external stakeholders

Certification bodies and other service providers

Universities, NGO’s and research institutes

Other

Ability to utilise research and external innovation, to inform programme focus area

A passionate self-starter who is results driven in a fast-paced environment

Requirement to travel to sourcing locations and other destinations