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Senior Manager, Sustainability Enablement

adidas Hong Kong Added on Aug 4, 2026
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This senior leadership role focuses on the operational core of the global supply chain, ensuring that product development and sourcing align with ambitious environmental targets. You will be responsible for translating high-level sustainability strategy into actionable programs across international manufacturing sites, managing everything from regulatory compliance to technical field operations. By bridging the gap between corporate vision and factory-floor reality, you help maintain the integrity of a complex, high-volume sourcing network.

The impact here is immense, as you directly influence the decarbonization and environmental footprint of one of the world’s largest sporting goods supply chains. Your work ensures that millions of products are manufactured under strict responsible sourcing policies while navigating shifting global regulations like EU and US environmental laws. This role is fundamental to maintaining brand trust and driving systemic change within the global apparel and footwear industry.

This suits someone who possesses a deep technical background in environmental science or geology and at least eight years of experience managing complex, cross-functional supply chain projects in a fast-paced retail or manufacturing environment.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As a Senior Manager, you will be the architect of the strategic global supply chain roadmap, specifically focusing on environmental subjects. Your primary mission is to ensure that the sourcing of materials and production of goods align with the company's rigorous sustainability vision through the development and execution of large-scale programs. You will provide technical ESG advice to field operations, particularly when managing compliance breaches or driving continuous improvement plans. A significant portion of your role involves identifying supply chain risks through materiality assessments and aligning the business on risk-taking strategies to maintain agility. Additionally, you are responsible for keeping overarching policies compliant with evolving international legislation in key markets like the EU and US. You will act as a knowledge hub, raising internal awareness of environmental requirements and ensuring all sourcing practices adhere to the Responsible Sourcing & Purchasing Policy.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain unparalleled exposure to the complexities of a global multi-tier supply chain, learning how to implement sustainability at scale within the apparel and footwear sectors. You will deepen your expertise in international environmental regulations and learn how to translate legal requirements into operational standards across diverse sourcing markets. Furthermore, you will sharpen your strategic project leadership skills by managing high-stakes initiatives that involve multiple internal departments and external industry associations. The position offers a unique chance to master the balance between commercial sourcing needs and environmental stewardship goals.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a degree in Environmental Science, Geology, or Chemistry and brings a minimum of eight years of professional experience. Experience specifically within the apparel or footwear industry is highly valued, as it provides the necessary context for the unique environmental challenges of textile and material production. You should demonstrate at least three years of people management and project leadership. Technical proficiency in quantitative analysis and the ability to simplify complex environmental data for diverse business audiences are essential. Success in this role requires a blend of technical environmental knowledge and strong business acumen.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, emphasize your experience in operationalizing sustainability rather than just theorizing about it. Provide concrete examples of how you have identified supply chain risks and successfully implemented mitigation strategies that improved environmental performance without compromising business agility. Align your application with the company's core values of innovation and competitiveness. Demonstrating familiarity with industry-wide tools and stakeholder groups (like the Sustainable Apparel Coalition or similar) will show that you are already integrated into the ecosystem of global sourcing and ready to influence it from day one.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on supply chain decarbonization and environmental compliance. You will likely work on projects related to greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing, water stewardship, and chemical management within the material supply chain. Your work will also intersect with circularity and material innovation, ensuring that the 'enablement' part of your title allows the brand to scale products made with a lower environmental footprint. You will be the guardian of the company's Responsible Sourcing Policy, ensuring environmental standards are met globally.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

A primary challenge will be balancing agility with compliance. In a fast-paced retail environment, ensuring that every vendor and material source meets strict environmental standards without slowing down production requires sophisticated risk management and influence skills. Additionally, navigating the fragmented regulatory landscape of different sourcing regions while maintaining a unified global standard can be difficult. You may face resistance when pushing for higher environmental standards in regions where local regulations are less stringent or where factory capacity for change is limited.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a review of environmental performance data from sourcing partners in Asia or EMEA, followed by a strategy meeting with the Product Development team to align on upcoming material requirements. You might spend time analyzing new EU legislation to determine how it affects current sourcing guidelines. Afternoons could involve collaborating with external NGOs or industry stakeholders to drive a collective sustainability initiative. You will also likely spend time mentoring your team, troubleshooting compliance issues in the field, and presenting impact summaries to senior leadership in Sourcing and Legal.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Given the seniority and global scope, this role is a gateway to Director-level positions within Corporate Sustainability or Global Sourcing. It provides high visibility to senior executives across Product, Legal, and Sourcing, making it an excellent platform for those looking to influence corporate-wide ESG strategy. There are also opportunities for lateral movement into specialized areas such as Sustainable Innovation or Social Compliance, as the role touches upon every aspect of how a global brand manages its external footprint and stakeholder relationships.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact frequently with Product Development & Sourcing (PD&S) leaders, including those in Costing and Material Operations, to ensure sustainability is integrated into the business model. You will also work closely with Global Legal and Internal Audit to manage risk and compliance. Externally, your network will include NGOs, industry associations, and professional institutions. You will also engage with third-party monitors and laboratories that verify environmental performance at the factory level, acting as the bridge between these external experts and internal business partners.

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