Job Description
Over a decade ago, ASOS launched Fashion with Integrity. Since then, it has guided our approach to business and our drive to be a responsible company that delivers positive benefits for people and minimises its impact on the planet.
The Head of Sustainability plays a pivotal role in helping ASOS to meet these ambitions, working closely with the Commercial ESG & Sustainability Director to manage and develop the Environmental aspects of FWI, across Product Sustainability, Circularity and Supply Chain. This is a highly collaborative role, where you will engage cross-functional stakeholders, across a number of areas. You will set the strategic direction and have overall responsibility for sustainability programmes and workstreams, integrating sustainability into commercial and supply chain practices. They are the programme lead for the ASOS Net Zero strategy and have experience in setting and delivering ambitious carbon-reduction targets across complex organisations.
The Details
Strategy
Drive forward the Fashion with Integrity programme, working with Senior leadership to evolve the strategic direction and goals
Enable and empower the business to take a proactive approach to Environmental impacts
Work closely with Commercial ESG Director to engage Exec Board members to gain buy-in and support for the programme
Represent the Sustainability team within the FWI steering group, leading key strategic workstreams in support of achieving the goal of “becoming the most sustainable online retailer”
Set the framework, polices and manage performance of FWI workstreams
Work collaboratively with others, using an agile approach to drive and deliver an integrated approach to FWI, driving change at scale and managing risks in the supply chain to support our 'Be Transparent' goal
Ensure integration of KPIS across other functions such as Commercial, Sourcing, Technical & Fabric sourcing, to deliver against goals such as fibre switching and transparency
Delivering against a diverse number of workstreams including Net Zero programme management, Circular design strategy, ESG reporting and benchmarking, external Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and charitable partnerships and giving, including the ASOS Foundation
Commercial
Lead and oversee integration of sustainability into business practices, including engaging senior leadership and stakeholders across Commercial teams
Work with key stakeholders to develop, define and support delivery of KPIs and commercial strategy
Set the strategic direction of product sustainability roadmap; using data to develop short, medium and long-term targets
Oversee development and delivery of ASOS’ circular design strategy; including successful delivery of circular collections, publication of design guide and long term strategy with measurable KPIs
Oversee development and delivery of internal training programmes, tools, guides and communications to help upskill commercial teams
Act as the senior subject matter expert for product sustainability and topics such as circularity, climate change and scope 3 carbon reduction
Oversee implementation of a robust certification process – short term ensure Labelon system is implemented, med to long term ensure integration into PLM and commercial/technical functions
Oversee collation and reporting of Product and Supply Chain sustainability data; including accurate reporting of Scope 3 Carbon footprint, Fibre and circular design data
Supply chain
Oversee the supply chain, including implementation of Higg, development and implementation of carbon and impact reduction programmes across supply base
Risk, policies & governance
Keeping abreast of changing global ESG sustainability legislation and understanding how it effects an online fashion retailer.
Ensure identification of incoming external risk is managed and mitigated eg CMA, EU policies & UK policy
Oversee development of robust sustainability polices and implementation to reduce risk and proactively engage supply base
Identify, manage and escalate supply chain issues to Ethical Trade and ESG Sustainability Director; ensuring appropriate action and remediation is taken
Respond to NGO campaigns in an appropriate manner, working closely with corporate comms team to deliver responses
Escalate and manage risks via the ASOS ESG risk register as appropriate
Oversee delivery of internal and external reporting; including Annual and Sustainability reports, Textiles 2030, Textile Exchange and various NGO reports
Monitor and evaluate outcomes of projects and programmes, reporting regularly to senior leadership committee and board
Collaborating with the Corporate Responsibility team on reporting, for example, ESG corporate reporting, SBTi reporting
Team leadership
Manage a team of technical and subject matter experts who collaborate across functions to progress sustainability initiatives
Taking a prominent role in the ASOS foundation management team, working with the senior CSR manager to deliver the foundations strategy and goals.
Manage department budgets
Support the development of team members coaching and helping foster an inspired and motivated working environment, championing high etc-performance and reflecting the company culture, values, and behaviours.
Qualifications
Extensive experience of working in a similar role across multiple sustainability topic areas
An in-depth knowledge of changing global sustainability legislation and how it effects an online fashion retailer.
Ability to define, communicate & set direction for the department strategy and motivate the team to deliver
An agile and dynamic working style, trading risks and opportunities
Appreciates cultural sensitivities across multiple supplier and stakeholder groups
Able to speak knowledgeably and accurately on current environmental and ethical matters to a range of audiences (expert/non-expert), engaging people’s hearts and minds and making a clear business case for new initiatives.
A good influencer with skills in advising and coaching others
Able to facilitate cross-business or multi stakeholder groups
Commitment to continuous improvement
Proactive nature with the ability to work independently within a framework
Thrives in a fast paced, agile environment
Demonstrates ASOS' core values – we are authentic, brave, creative and disciplined in everything we do
Flexible, able to change business plans as circumstances change
Additional Information
What’s in it for you?
Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
ASOS Develops (personal development opportunities across the business)
Employee sample sales
Access to a huge range of LinkedIn learning materials
25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment
Discretionary bonus scheme
Private medical care scheme
Flexible benefits allowance - which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits
