Head of Sustainability India (Footwear/Leather/Textiles/Apparel/Garments)

About the Opportunity- This role is for a passionate, entrepreneurial leader to drive sustainability strategy execution for a leading global footwear brand & manufacturer in India. The Head of Sustainability - India will own sustainability outcomes across manufacturing, supply chain, and brand impact, working closely with the Global Head of Sustainability and cross-functional teams to embed social and environmental responsibility across the value chain. Role & Responsibilities- Own and be accountable for the Brand’s sustainability strategy in India, including Supplier Working Conditions (SWC) and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), while defining and driving relevant KPIs. Set India-specific sustainability priorities and execution strategy for 2025–2030, translating global direction into locally relevant, cost-aware, and regulator-ready roadmaps. Lead resolution of critical safety, labor, environmental, and regulatory issues; ensure sustained compliance through strong regulatory knowledge and stakeholder engagement. Influence leadership decisions on sourcing strategy, factory expansion, vendor rationalization, and capex by articulating risks, trade-offs, and long-term impact.- Own sustainability governance in India; leverage internal and external data for data-driven decision-making, reporting, system development, and KPI tracking. Assess and analyze company policies and processes to identify improvement areas aligned with sustainability commitments. Anticipate emerging risks and regulatory changes; advise India leadership proactively Be accountable for implementing EHS and SWC governance systems while balancing business needs with environmental and social responsibility. Evaluate efficacy of sustainability/EHS/working conditions programs; recommend and implement improvements Draft reports, presentations, and proposals; present recommendations to stakeholders; lead training and employee engagement initiatives. Manage partnerships with sustainability/SWC enterprises. Skills & Qualifications Must-Have 7+ years of relevant experience in sustainability, EHS, or responsible sourcing, preferably within footwear, apparel, or manufacturing-led supply chains. Bachelor’s or college degree and advanced degree required in Business, Environmental Studies, or related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered Self-motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively with a team-player mindset. Entrepreneurial, hands-on attitude with ability to develop programs and teams resourcefully. Excellent project management and multitasking skills.- Strong written and verbal communication skills. High proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel. Ability to analyze and synthesize quantitative data. Preferred Demonstrated metric improvements through strategy development and deployment Strong problem-solving, facilitation, and business intuition. Customer and consumer focus; understands sustainability’s impact on end users Decisiveness and collaboration with proven results delivery Personal credibility through communication, results, and trusted relationships Strong negotiating and influencing skills; ability to communicate succinctly with leadership. Experience managing across local, regional, and global environments; culturally aware and adaptable. Skills: manufacturing,leadership,sourcing,data,sustainability,sustainability strategy,teams,accountability,strategy