Ethics & Social Impact Manager

Who we are:

We are PANGAIA – a purpose-driven lifestyle company bringing problem-solving materials science innovations to the world.

We are a global collective of one heart and many hands – scientists, technologists, designers – using nature’s intelligence to create apparel from innovative tech and bio-engineered materials.

Our vision is to inspire and accelerate a positive Earth future as we design a business model where our products are better for the planet than if they did not exist. Every product we create is born from science, design and purpose, each solving an environmental problem of the industry.

From the materials we use to the colours we create, we are committed to protecting, preserving and promoting biodiversity on earth, pioneering and using materials that consider the delicate balance between planet, functionality and purpose.

We are starting a movement. Designing a positive Earth future.

About this role:

We are excited to be recruiting a full-time Social Governance Manager as part of our Responsible Innovation team at PANGAIA. In this role, you will be responsible for the oversight of PANGAIA’s human rights work focused on our supply chain, managing risk and positively impacting the people behind our products. Key tasks include managing ethical due diligence, onboarding new suppliers, identifying risks in supply chain, enabling responsible governance and programmatic work to support social impact in alignment with the highest standards such as B Corp and Fairwear standards. You will work closely with the product, sourcing, and legal teams to advise and drive ethical standards with PANGAIA’s partners to reach our commitment to becoming an Earth Positive business.

We’re looking forward to meeting you!

A day in the life:

Governance:

• Support PANGAIA’s position on ethical trade and human rights designed to improve the livelihoods of the people working in supply chains, with a particular focus on living wages, wellbeing, equity and worker voice

• Lead the delivery of the Ethics and Social Impact Strategy including conducting human rights due diligence, establishing new partnerships and creating programmes of work that respond to salient social issues
• Follow human rights policies and standards relating to ethical trade. Update existing supply chain policies and develop new policies when required

External and Internal Reporting & Training:

• Conduct mandatory and voluntary human rights reporting and communicating goals and effectiveness of ethical initiatives
• Lead on the report and audit process for our annual Fair Wear Brand Performance Check, maintaining “Leader” status
• Develop monthly, quarterly and annual presentations and reports to communicate progress internally and externally
• Develop and deliver training to internal teams on salient issues and relevant updates in the supply chain

Due diligence and monitoring of the supply chain:

• Maintain existing due diligence processes such as conducting risk assessments for new country sourcing and onboarding new suppliers
• Organise, review and collate data from social audits and assessments (e.g. SMETA, BSCI, SA8000, WRAP etc), and maintain supplier data on Impact database and traceability platform, accurately logging information and analysing data
• Work collaboratively with Production and Sourcing teams to onboard new suppliers to our Impact standards, supporting continuous improvement towards Responsible Purchasing Practices
• Work closely with and support the Responsible Innovation team on new material and product due diligence
• Work with suppliers to address non-compliances through corrective action plans and help develop ‘beyond compliance’ roadmaps with partners

Budget & Partnership management:

• Support Chief Impact Officer on the Philanthropy workstream with partnership and budget management to ensure we meet our 1% proceeds commitments
• Manage budget for Ethics and Social Impact in line with business priorities and Responsible Innovation objectives
• Where required conduct site visits, supplier engagement and training
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to drive understanding of social challenges, build strong relationships with suppliers, respond to enquiries and information requests

Requirements

• Strong understanding of social sustainability, labour rights, human rights, sourcing and ethical trade
• Knowledge of certification standards in the fashion and textile industry
• 4 years+ working within related field
• Research skills and ability to collate data for accurate reporting
• Knowledge of Portuguese or another European language is advantageous but not essential
• Self-starter and team player
• Effective problem-solving & multi-tasking
• Great written and verbal communication skills, good MS PowerPoint & Excel skills
• Strong attention to detail, but able to place things in the bigger picture
• Great stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills

Benefits

• Private Healthcare Plan including dental + vision
• Free gym onsite
• 25 days of annual leave per annum + birthday day off + bank holidays
• Life Assurance + Income Protection + Critical illness cover
• Employee Assistance Program – Counselling
• 70% Employee Discount on all our products and regular sample sales

NOTE: Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest.

Pangaia is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, colour, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.

This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that pangaia equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

Apply here