Sustainability Manager

Position Overview: The Sustainability Manager will lead and execute our company’s global sustainability strategy, programs, reporting, and customer-facing sustainability initiatives. Based in Shanghai, China, this leadership role partners closely with sourcing, product development, packaging, quality, compliance, suppliers, licensors, retailers, and industry organizations to ensure we meet evolving sustainability expectations and regulatory requirements while advancing measurable environmental and social performance improvements throughout the supply chain. Responsibilities: Lead all sustainability activities and initiatives globally for our organization and its supplier network. Manage sustainability data collection, validation, analysis, and reporting; perform year-over-year trend analysis and challenge data quality assumptions to ensure accuracy and completeness. Own sustainability reporting programs including CDP, THESIS, Gigaton, Higg Facility Module, Transparency-One, and retailer-specific sustainability disclosures. Lead implementation of sustainability-related regulatory and customer requirements including PPWR, EUDR, FSC, How2Recycle, packaging regulations, recycled content programs, and emerging environmental compliance obligations. Develop and maintain sustainability SOPs, metrics, dashboards, and data management processes across suppliers and internal stakeholders. Lead FSC certification management, audit preparation, supplier engagement, and third-party verification activities. Represent our company with retailers, licensors, industry groups, sustainability consortiums, certification bodies, and other external stakeholders. Support product development, design, and packaging teams in integrating sustainability requirements, claims, logos, certifications, PCR content, and responsible sourcing principles into products and packaging. Drive supplier engagement programs focused on carbon reduction, energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, circular economy initiatives, sustainable packaging, transportation optimization, and responsible material sourcing. Lead supply chain mapping and traceability initiatives including wood mapping, FSC sourcing verification, and EUDR readiness activities. Manage sustainability-related licensing agreements, manufacturing requirements, and intellectual property sustainability obligations. Identify sustainability risks and opportunities and develop strategic improvement roadmaps aligned with customer and industry expectations. Prepare executive-level communications, updates, KPI dashboards, and annual sustainability performance summaries. Provide leadership for sustainability audits and support other corporate audits as required, including customer and third-party assessments. Major Programs Managed: CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Eco Records and Packaging Reporting Gender Equality Reporting Higg Facility Module REE Programs Target Zero Waste Valpak Packaging Reporting Transparency-One Wood Mapping and Supply Chain Traceability FSC Certification and Audits Gigaton THESIS Supplier GRS Programs PPWR Compliance How2Recycle Programs EUDR Readiness and Compliance Skills and Qualifying Experience: 8+ years of progressive sustainability, ESG, environmental compliance, supply chain sustainability, or responsible sourcing experience required. Strong knowledge of sustainability reporting frameworks, packaging sustainability requirements, FSC, recycled materials, carbon reporting, and supply chain traceability systems required. Experience working with retailers, consumer products companies, factories, suppliers, and third-party certification organizations required. Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred. Proven project leadership capabilities across multiple global initiatives and stakeholders. Strong analytical skills with experience managing large sustainability datasets and reporting systems. Excellent English & Mandarin communication skills required. Ability to travel throughout Asia and internationally as business needs require.