Fiber and Materials: Synthetics Lead Temporary Role

40-Fiber and Materials · Remote, Greater London (Remote)

About Us

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving positive impact on climate change across the fashion and textile industry. It guides a growing community of brands, manufacturers, and farmers towards more purposeful production from the very start of the supply chain.

By 2030, its goal is to guide the industry to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within fiber and raw material production. Its focus is holistic and interconnected, accelerating the adoption of practices that improve the state of our water, soil health, and biodiversity too.

For real change to happen, everyone needs a clear path to positive impact. That’s why Textile Exchange believes that approachable, step-by-step instruction paired with collective action can change the system to make preferred materials and fibers an accessible default, mobilizing leaders through attainable strategies, proven solutions, and a driven community.

At Textile Exchange, materials matter. To learn more, visit TextileExchange.org.

Working at Textile Exchange

We work remotely with a team located in 20+ countries. We are a diverse group committed to harnessing the strengths of the global textile industry to accelerate change toward climate and other key environmental goals. We work collaboratively on important environmental issues around the world by working and interacting with farming groups, processors, brands, retailers, and environmental experts in the textile and fashion industries around the world. We offer an opportunity to join a cutting-edge global environmental nonprofit and to help strengthen the impact of our organization. Each Textile Exchange employee is offered a competitive compensation package with paid time off, yearly bonus, opportunities for continuing education, and more.

Like all positions at Textile Exchange, the role will be primarily home-based.  Textile Exchange is a US-based, remote-working organization with a global team.  This position is open to domestic and international candidates. The majority of the Fiber & Materials team are based in the UK, Europe and North America; therefore, the ability to work with UK, CET, EST, MT and PST time zones is required.  Ad-hoc business travel during the contract period to Textile Exchange events including team meetings, Round Table Summits and annual conference as needed will be required.

Job Summary

The Fiber and Materials platform is responsible for driving the preferred fibers and materials conversion strategies and best practices for raw material producers and regional activities to support and deliver on the Climate+ targets.  The Synthetics Lead – temporary cover role – will work to support and implement the strategic direction set for Synthetics within the Fiber and Materials team at Textile Exchange, with the aim of supporting and guiding synthetic producers in transitioning from the production of virgin material supply to preferred. The role will provide support and guidance to the Synthetics team (e.g. Senior Coordinator and Recycling Specialist) in their roles.

Duties and Responsibilities

This role will be responsible for the following tasks and activities:

• Collaborating and supporting internal teams including Standards, Climate+ and Data & Technology to deliver on agreed upon targets and work-streams. Examples include:
  • Working with Data & Technology to support delivery of the Materials Market Report, Material Change Index and Benchmark programs with regard to Synthetic fibers.
  • Working with the Climate+ team to monitor and input on textile and synthetic related policies in development predominantly across the UK, EU and US, including recycled content.
  • Working with the Climate+ team to determine the impacts associated with scaling up textile-to-textile recycling technologies, biosynthetic, and other priority preferred materials.
  • Ad-hoc support as required to Climate+ work-streams including polyester and nylon LCA studies.
  • Working with the Impact Tools team to provide input and expertise on methodology updates and criteria for the Preferred Fibers and Materials Matrix and Materials Impact Explorer.
• Oversight of the Round Tables (rPET and Biosynthetic), including annual global summit meeting and associated Working Groups in collaboration with the Synthetics Senior Coordinator, Stakeholder Engagement, Events, and Communications teams.
• Support the management of the 2025 and 2030 Material Challenges, with a particular focus on the polyester challenge.
• Collaborate with the internal Fiber & Materials categories to ensure alignment across fiber categories and strategic direction of travel is being achieved.
• Support the Fiber and Materials Director in delivery of key platform topics including the definition of preferred, material pathways, and regional strategies based upon agreed strategic approach.
• Maintain and develop key stakeholder relationships with external stakeholders with a focus on synthetic fiber producers and relevant strategic partners (e.g., The Microfiber Consortium, Fashion for Good, Accelerating Circularity).
• Oversight and management of the Synthetics team.
• Conduct research and drafting of reports and guidance documents as requested.
• Draft training materials and content for acceleration toolkit and roadmap for synthetic materials.
• Deliver on the rollout of the Future of Synthetics report and lead on project management duties and responsibilities as passed by the Synthetics Lead or F&M Director.

The role will report to the Fiber & Materials Director. 

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in Textiles or Chemistry. 
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in synthetic materials.

• Understanding and demonstrable experience of different recycling technologies for synthetics is required. 
• Strong people and relationship management skills sets and experience.
• Project management experience, showing projects from conception through to successful completion is required.
• Well organized and able to conduct self-directed research. 
• Detail-oriented, logical, and systematic.  
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. 

• Demonstrated interest in, and alignment with Textile Exchange’s vision, mission, and goals.  
• Ability to work in a flexible, yet fast-paced remote environment, able to meet deadlines and share progress regularly.  
• Strong work ethic and self-motivation with ability to work remotely effectively. 
• Ability to travel to relevant industry events, team meetings and recycling sites as required.

 Employment Package

• Reports to: Fiber and Materials Director.
• Location: Virtual/Remote. Ability to work with BST and CET timezones, as well as North America (East and West coast) is essential.
• Salary: $45,000-50,000 USD Full time (Part time – To be agreed).
• Hours: Full time.
• Start Date: From 02 October 2023.
• End Date: 31 May 2024 (possibility of part time 1-2 days per week from June-August 2024 to be agreed).
• For Global Benefit packages (if applicable) please see FAQ: https://remote.com/preemployment-faq

How to Apply:

Please apply here

• Resume
• Cover Letter

If you have any pressing questions after completing your application, and meet the qualifications, please contact recruitment@textileexchange.org.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as they are submitted. Early application submission is strongly encouraged. 

Textile Exchange is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.