The Subject Matter Expert will provide subject matter expert technical support to all functions within the Roadmap to Zero Programme on chemicals, materials, fibres, and laboratories. They will also be responsible for operation, maintenance and delivery of the certifier and laboratory acceptance programme for MRSL conformance certifiers and wastewater, and the point of contact for the Programme Team with the Laboratory Advisor Group.
Working collaboratively with ZDHC Foundation contributors, as well as with the ZDHC Foundation management team, the Subject Matter Expert will be a self-starting, business–minded individual who can leverage their previous work experience and organisational abilities to drive into tangible results. This role provides critical support to a wide range of stakeholders, all with differing backgrounds and perspectives. This role also needs to ensure stakeholder consensus is achieved in order to be able to drive the creation, and adoption of tools and standards within the above specific work areas.
Reports to: Roadmap to Zero Programme Project Senior Manager
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Manage selected projects as needed, create project plans clearly identifying the task scope,schedule, outcome (deliverable), Level of effort (high, med, low), risks and dependencies. Build consensus among project stakeholders.
- Create and evaluate technical information, document and maintain MRSL laboratory acceptance programme, diagnose & troubleshoot problems related to laboratory analysis, answer contributor related technical questions related to MRSL and laboratories, provide technical advice and opinion on all chemical, fibres, and materials related matters
- Create and monitor laboratory Quality and Stakeholder Satisfaction. Manage issues and risk related but not limited to the laboratory acceptance programme. Monitor quality of monitor the work of accepted laboratories and certifiers, attend lab advisory group meetings, perform monthly quality checks on certifiers and labs, monitor budget related to laboratory acceptance process, investigate, seek corrective actions, and/or elevate quality concerns.
- Communicate to Stakeholders – Weekly updates to programme director, programme team, other ZDHC teams, task teams, contributors as needed to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to learn about and engage in work activities.
- Establishing a strong network with ZDHC Contributors and other stakeholders.
- Reporting and Documentation. Create meeting notes and decks, archive these for reference, archive other project documents at the end of the project. Edit/create final reports for the project and deliverables, support the Programme Team with technical expertise, manage the Lab/Certifiers Acceptance and update Process.
Required Skills
- 10+ years’ experience in environmental and/or product chemical analysis and apparel and footwear product chemistry.
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, textile chemistry or equivalent with specific experience and/or education of laboratory quality control programs, certification programmes, air emissions, water use, wastewater and sludge discharge desirable.
- Knowledge and experience of working with multinational brand/supply chain collaborations and partnerships.
- Experience in the textile, leather, apparel or footwear industry.
- Excellent project management skills.
- A proven ability to manage multiple work activities by establishing clear objectives and targets
- that deliver results.
- Demonstrable experience of working with targets and deadlines.
- Experience in leading and delivering meetings, events, workshops.
- Fluent written and verbal English. Other languages are beneficial.
Essential Skills
- Analytical and data-driven skills used to approach setting priorities and accomplishing goals.
- Organisational skills in stakeholder engagement and building consensus between key
- stakeholders with diplomacy.
- Goal orientated; results driven whilst also being a confident communicator.
- Self-driven and motivated.
- All round team player – able to operate in a fast-paced environment. and able initiate work
- activities that may not specifically identified in the job specification.
- Flexible with a high tolerance for ambiguity.
- Proactive – easily takes responsibility for results and work activities that may not be described
- in the job specification.
- Accurate and thorough – able to pay attention to detail.
- Practical and pragmatic – exhibit a can-do attitude and solution orientated.
- Able to work with individuals from a range of different backgrounds – a good team player with
- an international background.
ZDHC Specific Attributes
- Able to manage multiple work activities and deliver results in a timely and efficient manner;
- Able to establish strong positive relationships with relevant stakeholders;
- Goal orientated; results driven whilst also being a confident communicator;
- Self-driven and motivated;
- Team player – able to operate confidently in a fast-paced environment and able to initiate work activities that may not specifically identified in this job description;
- Flexible with a high tolerance for ambiguity;
- Proactive – easily takes responsibility for results and work activities that may not be described in the job description;
- Practical and pragmatic – exhibit a ‘can do’ attitude that is solution orientated;
- Able to work with individuals from a range of different cultural backgrounds – a good team player with an international background;
- Strong analytical ability to interpret information and translate into solutions and/or improvements.
About the ZDHC Foundation
- We want to protect the planet by reducing industry’s chemical footprint. That means working hand-in-hand with the entire value chain. We collaborate with global brands, chemical suppliers, manufacturers and other organisations that share our vision. Together we create a new way forward.
- We believe in a world where things are made without harmful chemicals. Consumer demands can be met without depleting natural resources. Our goal is to make that happen. We connect, innovate and empower to change how products are made. Together we can protect the place we call home.
- Collaboration is fundamental to our work. We’ve built a global ecosystem to bring organisations together. Our solutions and guidelines transform how chemicals are used. Our community spreads knowledge and ideas throughout the world. We want safer products to be the norm – everywhere.
- By empowering every point of the value chain towards safer manufacturing, we are building a new status quo. Our dynamic, determined community helps to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. Step-by-step, we want to build a better future for everyone.
