Sourcing Manager – Sustainable Textiles and Circularity

The Sourcing Manager – Sustainable Textiles and Circularity, will play a pivotal role in The Walt Disney Company’s sustainability initiatives and implementing comprehensive textile recycling strategies in support of The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to reduce absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. This role with leverage industry insights, mill strategies, key trends, and deep knowledge of sustainable fabric qualities to drive fabric development, innovation costing, and positioning. You will drive a ‘Fabric First’ strategy and materials process discipline throughout the product-to-market process while also developing and implementing innovative initiatives to reduce our environmental impact and promote circularity through our design and production processes.

This is a new role in the organization that will be responsible for assisting in the formulation of policies, plans, and programs in support of the 2030 Sustainable Materials objectives including reducing textile waste and deliver, at a minimum, 7 KMT-13 KMT scope 3 emissions reduction in textile production by 2030. The textile waste reduction workstream will include piloting 3D sampling, introducing and implementing new textile recycling streams, and reporting on waste reductions. You will also focus on research and development of sourcing sustainable and innovative textiles in vertically developed product. This will include conducting research on new textile fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finishing techniques. Development of new fabrics to utilize in the Global Product line will be possible by partnering with Product Design, Merchandising, and Merchandise Sourcing & Product Development to identify opportunities and material needs.

This individual must be a self-starter, highly organized, eager to drive progress towards The Walt Disney Company’s sustainability goals and have the ability to influence leadership and partners through change.

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Sustainable Materials and Packaging Sourcing.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Create, research, develop, and source innovative sustainable fabrics that optimize cost, consumption, and application across categories and global business units.

• Stay up to date on the latest trends in textile technology and innovation and be a resource for trend knowledge in textiles for the Organization.

• Identify and evaluate current textile processes from development to manufacturing. Design and implement Textile Recycling and Waste Reduction Program to deliver 7 KMT – 13 KMT scope 3 emissions reduction in textile production by fiscal year 2030. Research additional tools/resources needed to support the Textile Recycling and Waste Reduction Program.
• Lead suppliers and internal stakeholders through change management during textile recycling and waste reduction program implementation, including, but not limited to: new pattern and nesting techniques, 3D sampling, providing resources for third party recycling programs, and guidance on improved waste diversion.
• Design and implement tracking methodologies to measure the impact of textile recycling waste efforts, including emissions reductions, water savings, and waste diversion. Report out on progress to internal stakeholders and Suppliers.
• Leverage industry insights and publications to remain up to date on emerging technological advances in recycling, production techniques, and manufacturing processes. Join and participate in industry groups driving textile waste reduction.
• Attend sustainability conferences, meeting regularly with suppliers, mills and factories to present innovative ideas. International travel required.

• Working knowledge of all Global textile regulatory requirements to ensure consistent adherence to all global technical and quality standards and incoming textile and environmental regulations.  
• Liaise with design, sourcing, and vendors to problem-solve any technical issues that may arise from manufacturing techniques that further the 2030 material goals.
• Communicate daily with vendors and fabric suppliers to support material development and progress towards recycling program.
• Proactively seek new opportunities, techniques, and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers.
• Be a key change agent by leading by example to create a culture that fosters teamwork, innovation and efficiency while driving accountability to results, volunteers for captainships and high impact, organizational projects.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
   

SPECIAL PROJECTS:

• Act as a consultant role to trouble-shoot any fabric technical issues with fabric production, such as issues with fabric shrinkage, recovery, and equipment or manufacturing processes.
• Assist Organization in responding to global regulatory changes impacting textiles and production.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• 5-8 years of experience in fabric sourcing, textiles engineering or a sustainability field. Apparel industry, product development, raw material, supply chain and product sustainability experience required.
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit and strong ability to work independently with minimal direction, strong industry connections, highly self-motivated, extremely strong project management, and executive presentation skills.
• Experience or exposure working with Gerber Technology Suite and 3D Technical Design Software (Clo, Opitex, etc.).  
• Familiarity with garment production facilities and technology. On the ground cutting machine and technical design software experience preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience working with product sustainability standards and certifications including GOTS, Oeko-Tex, GRS, OCS and FSC.
• Experience or exposure working with Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM).
• Extensive knowledge of fabric construction and performance.  Advanced technical skills and demonstrated understanding of fiber, yarn, fabric, knitting, washing, dying, finishing, testing and garment construction.
• Proficiency in garment construction, marker optimization, pattern making and creating technical specifications.
• Domestic as well as overseas fabric sourcing and negotiating experience.
• Knowledge of production manufacturing and product engineering, global trade regulations, global testing protocol, global product integrity, production cycle timeline, calendar management, fabric performance and garment/product construction.
• Advanced MS Excel skills that can be used to combine and analyze data from various sources and generate reports and graphics to help drive decision-making.
• Highly collaborative, with ability to work across disciplines, sell in strategies, and drive to win-win solutions with proven ability to influence and make decisions across geographies in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to inspire, think creatively and strategically and act tactically.
• Effective and influential communicator in written and verbal form; Ability to design compelling presentations.
• Detail oriented with strong follow through; Organize and prioritize multiple projects.
• Have a sense of urgency in managing time and accomplishing tasks.
• Ability to assess relatively complex situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions.
• Create and maintain a cooperative team environment that promotes high performance standards and attainment of goals.
   

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree (BA), Textile Engineering, Product Design or equivalent degree from four-year college or University; or 5-8 years of relevant experience