Recognition Lead, Standards Systems

Recognition Lead, Standards Systems 

Reports to: Standards Director 

About Us 

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving beneficial 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.  

For real change to happen, everyone needs a clear path to beneficial 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 roles at Textile Exchange, this role will be primarily home-based; Textile Exchange is a US-based but remote-working organization with a global team. Candidates must be available to work across the USA and UK/EU time zones. 

Job Summary 

Textile Exchange recognizes the challenges faced by having duplicative standard systems and sustainability initiatives in the marketplace and value chains.
As we move to publish the Materials Matter Standard and implement a new certification system, and in order to reduce cost and complexity for standards users, we wish to incorporate a mechanism to recognize existing standard systems within the MMS (either partially or fully) that align with our principles of preferred production systems (climate, nature, people, animals, and governance/credibility).
In addition to recognition, we also wish to foster partnerships with other standard systems and sustainability initiatives that work towards shared sustainability goals.  

The Recognition Lead will oversee the development and operationalization of the Materials Matter Recognition Framework,
which will establish criteria and implementation guidelines for partnerships with other standards systems and sustainability initiatives covering materials not already part of our system (e.g., manmade cellulosic fibers, biomaterials, and cotton) or specialty scope areas that add value and integrity to certification (e.g., social welfare and environmental practices), while streamlining audit processes, sharing assurance data, and defining allowed claims and labeling. 

The Recognition Lead will be part of the Standards System department, reporting to the Standards Director and working in close collaboration with the 1) Assurance, Traceability, and Supply Chain Data, 2) Claims and Trademark Management, and 3) Impact Tools teams. Their primary role is to build and implement the framework structure, any needed criteria, and operational policies and procedures for the Recognition Framework. They work closely with various Textile Exchange departments and external stakeholder groups to ensure cross-organizational collaboration, clear and consistent messaging, and alignment of the Recognition Framework with other tools and activities that support the Textile Exchange strategy. 

Expectations and Responsibilities 

• Contribute to the strategic plan for recognition and serve as technical lead in developing and operationalizing the Recognition Framework. This includes: 
• Development of Recognition Framework structure and additional criteria as needed, in partnership with the Impact Tools team. 
• Designing and implementing policies, procedures, guidelines, and training content to support the establishment of recognition partnerships and materials in the Materials Matter System in close coordination with the Standard System department teams. 
• Follow ISEAL’s Good Practice Guide for Benchmarking Voluntary Sustainability Systems and ensure compliance with the ISEAL Code requirements for equivalency. 
• Liaise across Textile Exchange departments and teams on workstreams that overlap with the concept of recognition
  as follows: 
• Engagement and Partnerships to help build and maintain relationships with other sustainability system owners to establish recognition of other systems. 
• EU Legislation and Standards Expert to ensure alignment with public policy requirements & accreditations. 
• Impact Tools team to refine and evolve the existing Fiber and Materials Matrix tool and criteria for use as the foundation for the recognition mechanism, while retaining scientific rigor and ensuring alignment with voluntary reporting requirements. 
• Claims and Trademark Management to determine acceptable claims for certified products where the recognition framework is applicable. 
• Traceability and Supply Chain Data to determine how data is collected from recognized partner programs, integrated into our traceability systems, and reported back to them. 
• Operational Integrity and Governance to ensure the Framework is built in alignment with ISEAL, organizational best practices, and legal requirements. 
• Assess and manage risks associated with a recognition model and incorporate risk mitigation strategies into the system design and implementation. 

Experience 

• Proven leader with the ability to identify needs and create and direct solutions into existence.  
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate effectively with the Textile Exchange team and key external stakeholders
• Strong management abilities, including project planning and oversight, problem solving, and ability to play a leadership role in a highly team-oriented environment.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills.  
• Strong attention to detail.  
• Exceptionally strong interpersonal skills, international experience a plus.  
• Flexible work hours to accommodate multiple
  time zones. 
• Ability to travel occasionally for conferences, work meetings and industry events. 
• MS Office (Required), SharePoint, and 365 Microsoft Suite.  
• Project Management experience and certification a plus. 

Qualifications 

• A minimum of a B.A. or B.S. or equivalent. 
• At least 5 years of experience in standards and certification, preferably with
  ISEAL-compliant members.  
• At least 7 combined years of experience working in sustainability. 
• Experience managing complex stakeholder engagement processes.  
• Experience in conducting benchmark assessments. 
• Experience working in a rapidly changing environment.  

Terms of Consultancy 

• Yearlong contract with potential for extension or to become a permanent position 
• Location: Virtual/Remote 
• Payment terms – Monthly 
• Stipend for equipment and other expenses 

How to Apply  

Please submit here: 

• Resume 
• Cover Letter 
• Salary expectations 

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

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

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.