Manager, Responsible Sourcing Operations

Overview: The Manager is responsible for the management of a team consisting of both Assurance and Advancement associates in South Asia. The individual in this role is primarily responsible for team management and regional specific management across both S&R supply chain programs and the factory compliance programs. This includes proactive communication to internal and external stakeholders and quality assurance of team activities related to these areas of work. The leader in this position defines, oversees, guides, and supports the team during the execution of annual workplans in support of overarching compliance and S&R strategies. The Manager will also be responsible for recruiting, managing and development regional staff.

People responsibility of this leader includes:

• 1 Senior Responsible Sourcing Operations Assurance; 1 Senior Responsible Sourcing Operations Advancement; 1 Responsible Sourcing Operations Advancement

Country coverage of this leader includes:

• Bangladesh; India, Pakistan

Factory coverage of this leader includes:

• Responsible for oversight of VF Direct Sourced Tier-1, subcontractor, and Tier-2 factories across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities

Factory Compliance

• Collaborates with S&R Data Team to develop, adjust and assign an annual and quarterly audit plan for the region to internal auditors or 3rd party auditors.

• Oversee the integration of industry audit reports, including SLCP and BetterWork, into VF's audit framework, and ensure their seamless upload into FFC.

• Works closely with S&R Data Team to ensure all performance metrics around audit completion, report quality, timely and accurate FFC updating are met.

• Work closely with Sr. Manager, Global Responsible Sourcing Operations Standards & Strategy to proactively analyze and interpret evolving regional or country-specific regulations, industry standards and best practices, providing strategic guidance to adapt compliance and sustainability strategies accordingly.

• Ensures that audit documentation and communications are aligned with guidelines provided by the Manager for Global Responsible Sourcing Operations Standards & Strategy.

• Works closely with the Manager, Global Responsible Sourcing Operations Standards & Strategy to determine spot-check schedule for self and team members to conduct shadow audits in respective country / region to ensure the consistency and quality of audits conducted by VF auditors and third parties.

• Oversees the timeliness, accuracy, and quality of auditor’s tasks including audit allocation with considerations including priority, location, and cost.

• Collaborates closely with Manager for Global Responsible Sourcing Operations Standards & Strategy to locally manage and enhance the effectiveness of industry initiatives (e.g., SLCP, Better Work), addressing risks proactively.

• Ensures the proper storage, organization, and retrieval of all compliance-related documentation, including audit reports, communication records, and training materials, in accordance with established protocols and data retention policies.

Sustainable Operations

• Supports S&R program managers in scoping, planning, and setting targets for programs in the region, ensuring alignment with overarching organizational objectives. Shapes the data and information collection strategy for year-round program measurement.

• Supports S&R program mangers on finding suitable local service partners, e.g., requesting program proposal.

• Supports S&R program managers on developing and delivering training to factories as needed, providing local context where necessary.

• Identifies and develops effective risk management strategies to mitigate compliance and sustainability risks in the region.

• Provides guidance and direction to the team on S&R program implementation and improvement, including environmental sustainability, worker rights, worker and community development, safety, chemical management, traceability, and data collection.

• Ensures key S&R program milestones and timelines are met in the region of responsibility.

• Engages with factory/vendor-level leadership to assess performance metrics, identify areas for improvement, and capitalize on opportunities for collaboration and enhancement, fostering a proactive and strategic partnership that aligns with organizational goals.

• Provides direct advisory and remediation support to factories as needed to support the team and meet annual objectives.

• Assumes a leadership role in maintaining oversight of reported incidents, conducting thorough and timely investigations, and ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented to uphold organizational standards and reputation.

• Regularly review compliance with environmental regulations, worker rights standards, and other sustainability-related requirements with factory management between formal audits to identify areas of improvement and best practices.

• Collaborates with Senior Leadership and cross-functional teams to integrate sustainability goals and initiatives into the overall business strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Acts as a key point of contact for external stakeholders in the region of responsibility as it relates to worker rights and labor groups, environmental groups, and others that contact VF or our factories for information.

• When necessary, build trusting, productive relationships with external stakeholders in alignment with strategic objectives and S&R program managers’ input.

• Regularly and proactively engages with local internal stakeholders on factory issues, KPIs, program updates, performance reporting, and supplier engagement.

• Collaborate with counterparts in other regions to share best practices, harmonize global sustainability efforts, and ensure consistency in approach.

• Collaborates internally with various stakeholders on issues or engagements that arise. This includes, but is not limited to: Worker Rights Manager, External Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Environmental Sustainability Manager, Sr. Director, Responsible Sourcing Operations, Responsible Sourcing VP, Sourcing leadership in the region, and others.

• Represent the organization in sustainability conferences, forums, and events.

• Reports to the Sr. Manager, Responsible Sourcing Operations with updates on regional factory issues, monthly audit activity, team’s performance, and personnel issues.

Team Management

• Guides and empowers team through strategic leadership, providing clear direction, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture, and aligning their teams with organizational objectives for sustained success.

• Conducts new team member onboarding and career development planning and ensures knowledge transfer on all in-scope sustainability topics.

• Ensures that audit team members obtain and maintain necessary auditor accreditation with established external certification bodies.

• Strategically assigns projects and tasks based on a nuanced understanding of team members' roles, skill sets, and career aspirations, fostering professional growth.

• Engages with team members on a regular basis to problem solve, enhance collaboration within S&R and with other departments, and understand and act on challenges and opportunities that arise.

• Supports team members’ career growth and success through tools and resources such as workplans (OGSTMs), Individual Development Plans (IDPs), Growth Assignments (GAs) and others.

• Ensures team is held accountable for meeting deadlines and goals according to workplans and overarching strategies, while enabling team members to grow their careers productively and proactively in alignment with their individual career aspirations.

• Conducts regular performance reviews, providing team members with feedback and setting individual goals aligned with team objectives.

• Drives initiatives to enhance team collaboration and productivity, utilizing strategic team-building activities to strengthen team dynamics.

• Plays a pivotal role in managing conflict resolution within the team, fostering a positive and productive working environment.

Job Requirements:

• Minimum Relevant Experience: 8-10+ years in CSR/Sustainability/Factory Compliance auditing, 3+ years team management experience

• Minimum Degree Held: BA/BS in business/University graduate/Engineering.

• Subject Expert In: Law, Labor and Social Security, Health, Safety and Environmental auditing.

• Up to 50% travel, including occasional international travel required.

Skills:

• Fluent in speaking and writing English. Regional / local language is preferred.

• Strong organization and communication skills.

• Ability to analyze and draw conclusions from audit data and present those conclusions in a report format.

• Experience and proficiency in identifying and mitigating compliance and sustainability risks.

• Proficiency in Excel and database processes with the ability to enter and report on data.

• Cross-Cultural competence for global collaboration.

• Project Management for efficient execution.

• Experience conducting social compliance audits.

• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution for stakeholder interactions.

• Regulatory Knowledge for compliance.

• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking for complex challenges.

• Public Speaking and Presentation for effective communication.

• Crisis Management for handling emergencies.

VF Competencies:

Competencies (Behavioural): Essential –

• Decision making

• Team management

• Info Monitoring

• Planning & Organizing

• Customer Focus

• Building Partnerships

• Communication

• Adaptability

• Innovation

• Driving for results

• Continuous Learning

• Ownership & accountability

• Flexibility

• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction and vision.

• Proven experience in leading and managing change initiatives.

• Experience in navigating and addressing global challenges.

• Experience in crisis management and resilience planning

Competencies (Functional):

• Ability to manage team remotely.

• Experience working with diversified team.

• Experience in managing a team.

• Experience in leading people leaders.

• Excellent presentation skills & communication skills in both oral and written English.

• Establishment of partnerships with key stakeholders across the business.

• Able to prioritize and complete the assigned task in a tight schedule and with sense of urgency.

• Regulatory Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards related to social, environmental issues in the country/region.

• Expertise in sustainable supply chain management, including knowledge of ethical sourcing, responsible procurement practices, and supply chain risk mitigation.

• Proven ability to engage and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, industry associations, and community groups.