Do you think we can do better for the environment we play and train in?
At adidas, the answer to this question is always yes because for adidas, environmental sustainability is one of the greatest expressions of its purpose: "Through sport, we have the power to change lives." After all, if we don’t protect the ground we’re on, how can we play sport?
adidas is constantly upping its game when it comes to sustainability. Where some may feel defeated by the significant environmental challenges ahead, adidas sees an opportunity to win together; a mindset that is central to their 5-year growth and investment strategy, Own the Game.
Environmental sustainability is integral to Own the Game, but adidas can't meet its ambitious 2025 targets alone. The challenges faced are too complex and far bigger than adidas, so they know that a team effort is required across multiple stakeholders, businesses and sectors to leave the planet better than they found it.
Why should this interest you?
Chemicals and Wastewater are two key elements of adidas environmental impact; water is both essential for life and increasingly threatened, and handling chemicals is often unavoidably part of creating high-performance products. For this reason, adidas sets strong targets for its suppliers to reduce water consumption in production and to partner with chemical experts, environmental organisations and industry federations to deliver end-to-end chemical reduction in its supply chains.
adidas recognises that it is part of the world’s environmental problems, but is determined to change this. Part of this determination means growing its global environmental team to increase its presence across supply chains to drive meaningful change. They’re looking for a passionate sustainability leader to join this team as a Manager of Environment - Chemicals & Wastewater Management in Guangzhou, China.
That’s where you come in…
If you’re an experienced global Chemicals & Wastewater professional, you know that the management of chemicals a in multi-layer supply chain is complex and challenging. That’s why adidas need you to collaborate widely across their stakeholder network of chemical experts to identify areas for improvement and to deliver impact.
Reporting into the Director of Environment - Chemicals & Wastewater Management, you’ll manage end-to-end chemical management matters and issues. This role is fast-paced, highly collaborative and operates within a dynamic work environment that demands a forward-thinker who is agile and flexible.
Key Responsibilities:
Implementing and managing Chemical & Wastewater programs in key countries under your remit
Leveraging your expertise to support the leadership team in driving programme developments and improvements
Providing technical advice to suppliers on how to improve their Chemical & Wastewater performance in an effort to continuously improve and to adapt in the event of compliance breaches
Ensuring facilities understand and fulfil adidas chemical management compliance, continuously advancing progress towards targets
Partnering with facilities to train them on a regular basis and to improve their understanding of Chemical & Wastewater programme and targets
Analysing key performance indicators to track supplier performance and provide business partners with clarity on supplier performance
Identifying areas of risk and providing recommendations to mitigate them – factoring legal obligations, strategic commitments and environmental requirements into decision making
Building relationships and collaborating effectively with key internal stakeholders, including the Global Environmental Team, sourcing division, global operations, as well as external stakeholders such as NGOs, government bodies, professional institutions and more
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
Experience working in diverse teams within a large organisation, actively listening to and considering the needs of others to build trusting relationships, to work collaboratively and to achieve desired outcomes
Strong business acumen with an ability to keep an accurate pulse on challenges and opportunities in your business area
Superior quantitative and analytical problem-solving skills with a natural curiosity and an ability to navigate complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity with ease
Ability to develop business cases effectively, including financial implications for environmental investments
Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey complex information in a way that is simple and easy to understand across diverse stakeholder groups
Demonstrable experience interacting with stakeholders of all levels, flexing your approach to partner, influence and share knowledge across relevant networks
Strong written and verbal English, any other regional (Asia Pacific) language is a plus
High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint programmes
Requisite education and experience / minimum qualifications:
Minimum 5 years of experience in managing chemical/ wastewater issues within a manufacturing setting, experience in apparel and/or footwear preferred
Master’s degree or above in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's degree can be considered for the right candidate)
Travel:
30-40%
If you love sport and you want to change the world, the ball is in your court. Please apply directly or contact Emily Goetsch at emily.goetsch@acre.com because we’d love to hear from you.
