Sourcing Manager- Textile Innovation and Circularity Sustainability

Sourcing Manager- Textile Innovation and Circularity Sustainability

The Sourcing Manager- Textile Innovation and Circularity, will play a pivotal role in shaping 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 will be responsible to reduce textile waste and deliver, at a minimum, 7 KMT-13 KMT scope 3 emissions reduction in textile production by 2030. You will engage directly with Suppliers to track textile waste, develop best practices for waste reduction and provide playbooks for pattern cutting optimization. The role will also focus on developing practices to assure scrap textile materials are recycled throughout the development and production process.

This is a new role in the organization and will require developing and implementing innovative initiatives to reduce our environmental impact and promote circularity through our design and production processes. To establish a baseline, this role will survey suppliers on current waste and recycling practices, technology utilized in development and production, and analysis of yield standards and thresholds.  After establishing a baseline, you will design and implement a Textile Recycling and Waste Reduction program for all applicable vertically developed products to achieve our 2030 Sustainability Goals. This program will include our internal and external technical design of the product and be applied to all manufacturing processes of products containing textiles.

In this role, you will also focus on research and development of sourcing sustainable 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 Global Merchandise Development Sourcing 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.

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

• 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, 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.

• Research, develop, and source innovative sustainable fabrics that work within aesthetic and cost parameters - application for Apparel, Accessories, Plush and Soft Home/Textiles.

• 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.
• Attend sustainability conferences, meeting regularly with suppliers, mills and factories to present innovative ideas. International travel required.
• Working knowledge of all Global textiles 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 emissions goals.
• Communicate daily with vendors and fabric suppliers to support progress towards recycling program.

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.
• Evaluate sampling processes across product development and technical design. Opportunity to design and pilot 3D Sampling.
• Assist Organization in responding to global regulatory changes impacting textiles and production.

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

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.
• 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.
• Utilize Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) when designing and managing the Textile Recycling and Waste Reduction program.
• 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.
• 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.
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit, adept in working in ambiguity and new start-up teams
• Highly collaborative, with ability to work across disciplines, sell in strategies, and drive to win-win solutions.
• 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.
• 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 inspire, think creatively and strategically and act tactically.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiations, and team building skills.
• 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.