Description:

Role Overview:

As the Sustainability & Social Compliance Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring that all vendor partners and manufacturing units comply with applicable social, labor, environmental, health, and safety standards. You will lead audits, build capacity among suppliers, engage with third-party agencies, and ensure continuous improvement in line with global buyer requirements and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Compliance Oversight & Auditing:

- Conduct regular Social Compliance, Health & Safety, and Environmental audits at new and existing factories.

- Evaluate suppliers based on local labor laws, international standards (ILO), and buyer-specific codes of conduct.

- Ensure compliance with global standards like SA8000, SEDEX, BSCI, WRAP, HIGG Index, etc.

2. Risk Assessment & Corrective Actions:

- Identify non-compliances and prepare Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) with timelines and measurable improvements.

- Monitor progress on CAP implementation and validate corrective actions through re-audits or desk reviews.

- Maintain a supplier compliance rating system and blacklist non-compliant units when required.

3. Sustainability Leadership:

- Lead the implementation of sustainability programs focused on water usage, carbon emissions, chemical management, energy efficiency, and circular production.

- Work closely with vendors to reduce environmental impact and adopt eco-friendly practices in line with customer sustainability goals.

- Support the adoption of traceability tools, certifications (e.g., GOTS, Oeko-Tex, Fair Trade), and data reporting for ESG metrics.

4. Capacity Building & Training:

- Conduct regular training sessions and workshops for vendors on compliance, labor rights, and sustainability practices.

- Build awareness around worker well-being, grievance redressal systems, gender equality, and wage transparency.

5. Stakeholder Engagement:

- Liaise with buyers, third-party auditors, NGOs, and certifying agencies to facilitate smooth audits and program rollouts.

- Support buyer compliance teams with audit reports, sustainability metrics, and traceability documentation.

- Ensure proactive communication with internal sourcing, merchandising, and production teams.

6. Legal & Regulatory Compliance:

- Stay updated on Indian labor laws, EHS regulations, and environmental compliance mandates.

- Ensure all documentation (licenses, permits, policies) is current and legally valid across supplier sites.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor's or Masters degree in Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Textile Technology, or a related field.

- 1415 years of hands-on experience in Social Compliance and Sustainability within Apparel/Textile buying houses or sourcing offices.

- Strong knowledge of Indian labor laws, global compliance frameworks, and environmental regulations.

- Proven experience managing third-party audits, implementing corrective actions, and improving factory compliance.

- Familiarity with certifications, ESG data reporting, and sustainable sourcing tools.

- Fluent in English and Tamil (preferred) strong documentation and communication skills.