Data Standards Specialist

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, a yearly bonus, opportunities for continuing education, and more. 

Like all roles at Textile Exchange, the role will be home-based with some travel required. Candidates must be available to work across Asian, European and US time zones.

 
Job Summary

The Data Standards Specialist is part of the Data Team and reports to the Data Governance Manager (interim to the Data Lead).

The Data Standards Specialist at Textile Exchange is tasked with a crucial role in overseeing the development, governance, and operationalization of data standards, glossaries, and classifications across the textile, apparel, and footwear sectors. This position plays a pivotal role in streamlining and enhancing the organization’s capacity to manage a growing volume of diverse data sets including certification data, global fiber and materials production data, impact assessments, and performance metrics from sustainability systems, producers/suppliers, and brands/retailers.

The specialist will work to expand and refine our existing glossary and data standards, such as the Materials, Processes, and Product Classification and the Geographic Classification, ensuring they align with existing industry standards where possible. This role involves extensive collaboration with both internal teams and external stakeholders to develop standards and classifications that are not only comprehensive and robust but also harmonized across various platforms and systems. A significant part of this responsibility includes publishing the developed data standards as open-source documents, aiming to set a benchmark for usage within the wider industry.

We are looking for a candidate who is methodological and has a passion for creating systematic classification, codification, and glossaries. The ideal candidate will bring a strategic vision to effectively integrate these standards into Textile Exchange’s standards system, benchmarking system, and data collection frameworks, thus facilitating efficient data collection, processing, storage, and reporting that support the organization’s mission and enhance industry-wide sustainability practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Map existing definitions, data standards, and taxonomies in the textile, apparel, and footwear sector. 
• Collaborate with and support internal departments to develop and adopt consistent definitions, taxonomies, classifications, coding, and data standard documentation.
• Work with external stakeholders to harmonize and adopt data standards, glossary, and classifications.
• Develop processes and systems for the development and regular updating of the data standards.
• Manage the development, governance, and operation of data standards, glossary, and classifications for the textile, apparel, and footwear sectors.
• Manage end-to-end work packages on data standards, including RFP, consultant selection, project management, and delivery. Collaborate with internal departments to define business logic that supports the data standards and taxonomy model.
• Guide the business in identifying and aligning applications and business processes that improve the usability of data standards and classifications.
• Develop training resources to educate internal departments on the benefits and use of data standards and classifications.

Job Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 3 years of experience in textiles / sustainability / data management / standards. Ideally proven experience at the intersection of all listed areas.
• Deep understanding of textile supply chains, terms, definitions, classification, and taxonomies.
• Knowledge of Textile Exchange’s existing standard system, data standards such as the Materials, Processes and Product Classification and the Geographic Classification is a plus.
• Logical thinking and systematic approach to reduce complex topics to clear definitions, classifications and taxonomies, with attention to detail.
• Well-organized and able to manage multiple priorities and varying pressures to meet deadlines as needed.
• Proven ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work in very dynamic work environment with a positive mind set and to quickly adapt to changes, embracing challenging tasks as learning opportunities.
• Able to work independently in a virtual workplace. Self-motivated and strong work ethic.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English to provide clear and concise technical writing for the data standards and guidance, and to discuss complex technical topics with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficient computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite, including strong skills in Microsoft Excel and the ability to quickly learn new systems.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally for meetings and events when required.
• Ability to work across different time zones (within reason, it is not expected that you will work additional hours).

Employment Package  

• Reports to: Data Governance Manager
• Full Time Position, 40 Hours a Week  
• Location: Virtual/Remote
• Annual Salary Range: 52,000 – 70,000 USD
• To be filled as soon as possible (start date to be agreed between both parties). 
• Our offers for salary and benefits are dependent on the region of the final candidate. We post most positions based on a US-based Team member, but final offers are made in alignment with the final candidate’s permanent residence and in line with Textile Exchange’s regional employment package. 
• To see if we hire in your country and for more information, please visit: https://remote.com/country-explorer

How to Apply  

Please apply here with your resume and a cover letter.

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.