About the job

Within a short time frame of less than 5 years, Fashion for Good has established itself as the go-to platform for sustainable fashion innovation on a global level. To continue our journey of growth, we seek an Innovation Manager who will be responsible for overseeing Fashion for Good’s Innovation Platform activities in the areas of the supply chain that include Processing and Impact. The Innovation Manager will be part of the Fashion for Good innovation team reporting into the Innovation Director.

As part of this, the innovation manager is responsible for the following areas:

Innovator Due Diligence and Support

• Manage all scouting and due diligence in the areas of the supply chain that include Processing and Impact, including: assessing impact, capacity, technology, financial history and projections, liquidity / runway, business models, pricing for the respective innovators

• Manage the team to provide relevant technical and strategic support for FFG innovator alumni and technology partners

Innovation Intelligence

• Manage all activities related to Innovation Intelligence in given focus areas, including landscape updates, working groups, workshops and deep dives

• Continue to build Fashion for Good’s presence as a thought leader in given areas through events and publication contributions

• Where relevant, represent Fashion for Good at industry conferences

Project and Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with FFG brands and manufacturers to identify opportunities for projects and pilots

• Be responsible for scoping the projects/pilots, budgeting, drafting and finalising all agreements, communications etc. with support from analysts / associates

• Oversee all screening LCAs and associated deliverables executed by impact associate

• Be responsible for managing relevant budgets, ensuring all invoicing is properly complete

• Identify implementation opportunities for specific innovators

• Identify next steps after projects/pilots are complete and scope potential next stage projects and pilots

• Establish and manage relationships with key technology and research institutions around the world (e.g. academia, multi-stakeholder organisations, governments, incubators) as well as ecosystem contacts (eg: Sphera, Textile Exchange, ZDHC, MII) to support the work above

Team leadership and milestone management Innovation platform

• Where relevant, manage innovation analysts /associates, guide them in their innovation intelligence, programme and projects and pilots activities

• Be responsible for their personal development and training

• Support the Innovation Platform Director with cross functional topics eg: Innovation Committee, Partner Strategy Day, FFG Symposium

• Continually identify ways to improve existing cross functional processes and execute these improvements

Strategy

• Demonstrate ability to think strategically and support key innovators with their roadmap to implementation (eg: identifying and connecting key suppliers, support with business models, impact, support with fundraising (reviewing investment decks, supporting external investors with due diligence etc.) working alongside other team members

• Demonstration and tracking of KPIs; advancing key impact and progress visualisations (e.g. funnel, metrics dashboard)

• Build best-practices and toolbox to further drive implementation (e.g. off-take agreements, innovator deep dives on business models, project financing etc.)

• Build Fashion for Good’s presence as a thought leader in the area of sustainable innovation through events and publication contributions

• Support on business development and partner retention through Innovation Platform strategy and new idea generation and execution

• Own Fashion for Good’s impact strategy, consistently looking for ways in which we can further refine what data we collect and how we track our impact

The Innovation Manager plays a bridging function between the innovators, Fashion for Good’s partners (brands, retailers and manufacturers), investors/financiers, and NGOs. The role is also responsible for building and maintaining an active innovator alumni network and technology partnership pipeline.

About you

The ideal candidate has a relevant track record and combines strong interpersonal skills with a self-starting, proactive attitude. The following qualifications are essential:

• Disciplined and demonstrated project management, documentation, and execution

• Demonstrated capacity to think multiple steps ahead with regards to project management

• Proactively identify opportunities for partner engagement in specific projects and pilots

• Strong analytical and research skills and ability to scope detailed projects

• Capacity to adapt to different settings, easily navigating different cultures and organisation settings

• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and negotiate where needed

• Creative thinking with the ability for sound judgement and accountability

• Positivity, proactiveness, enthusiasm, can-do attitude, comfort in dealing with uncertainty

• Demonstrated experience managing individuals or a team

• Relevant work experience (4+ years) in e.g. management, consulting, sustainability, the apparel or footwear industry – preferably with a supply chain connection, an entrepreneurial / start-up setting.

EDUCATION

Academic degree (Bachelor (HBO), MBA or Masters) preferably within business, economics, material science, chemistry or textile engineering. A Masters is preferred.

LANGUAGES

Proficiency in English is a requirement.