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Sustainability Coordinator

Claes Retail Group • Belgium • Added on Aug 27, 2026
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This role bridges the gap between high-level sustainability strategy and the meticulous reality of retail operations. You will manage the vital flow of environmental data, oversee supplier audits, and ensure that certification standards are met across the supply chain. By translating complex legislative requirements into actionable steps, you keep the company compliant while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in circular fashion.

Working for a leader in the Belgian fashion market, your efforts directly influence the ecological footprint of well-loved brands. You are the safeguard for the company’s green claims, ensuring that every product labeled as sustainable is backed by rigorous evidence and ethical sourcing. This is a rare chance to shape the circular transition of a family-owned group that prioritizes local anchoring over global fast-fashion trends.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp eye for detail and a natural affinity for data-driven problem solving. You should be a structured communicator who enjoys transforming regulatory complexity into organized, efficient internal processes.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves bridging the gap between sustainability theory and operational practice. You will be responsible for the integrity of ESG data, ensuring all environmental and social metrics are accurately captured and reported. This includes managing supplier certifications and overseeing the progress of Corrective Action Plans following audits. Beyond data management, you will actively track changing sustainability legislation to ensure the group remains compliant with European and local regulations. You will also coordinate specific projects focused on circularity, such as recycling initiatives and packaging improvements, while signaling potential risks in the supply chain to senior management.

Key learning opportunities for this job

You will gain deep expertise in the complex landscape of textile certifications and environmental compliance. This role offers a front-row seat to how a major retailer navigates the shift toward circular business models, providing practical knowledge of Life Cycle Assessments and recycling logistics. Furthermore, you will sharpen your skills in regulatory tracking, learning how to interpret and implement emerging EU directives like the CSRD or Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The cross-functional nature of the role provides exposure to buying, quality control, and global supply chain management.

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

The ideal candidate brings a blend of analytical rigor and a proactive mindset. While two to four years of experience in sustainability or compliance is preferred, the company highly values candidates who demonstrate a structured approach to administrative-specialist tasks and a genuine passion for the fashion industry's green transition. A bachelor-level education is expected, along with the ability to communicate fluently with diverse stakeholders. You should be someone who enjoys nitty-gritty details and finds satisfaction in bringing order to complex data sets and multifaceted supplier relationships.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to handle technical compliance rather than just high-level sustainability concepts. If you have experience with specific tools or frameworks like the Higg Index or textile auditing standards, be sure to highlight these, as they are directly relevant to the group's needs. Show that you understand the unique challenges of the Belgian retail market and the specific identity of brands like JBC or Mayerline. Tailor your application to show how your organizational skills will alleviate the administrative burden of new ESG laws on the buying and design teams.

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

The role focuses heavily on supply chain transparency and product-level environmental impact. You will likely spend significant time on the 'social' and 'environmental' pillars of ESG, specifically regarding labor conditions in factories and the chemical/material certifications of garments. Additionally, there is a strong push toward waste reduction and circularity. This involves rethinking packaging and facilitating recycling programs, moving the company beyond traditional retail models and toward a closed-loop system for their Belgian fashion labels.

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

One of the primary challenges will be the evolving legislative landscape. Keeping up with rapidly changing EU laws and ensuring every supplier across the globe is aligned with these new standards requires constant vigilance and adaptability. You may also face the challenge of data fragmentation. Gathering consistent and high-quality information from numerous external partners requires persistence and the ability to influence stakeholders who may not view compliance as their top priority.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing supplier audit reports and updating the compliance database. You might then meet with the Buying team to discuss the sustainability credentials of a new collection or provide guidance on necessary certifications for specific materials. Afternoons could be spent analyzing upcoming packaging regulations or drafting data reports for an environmental filing. The role is highly collaborative, so expect regular check-ins with the Sustainability Manager to align daily actions with the broader corporate strategy.

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

The group explicitly mentions that this role is designed to evolve. Depending on your performance and interests, you could transition into a specialist compliance lead role or take on broader responsibilities in risk analysis and strategic sustainability management. As the company expands its circular initiatives, there are opportunities to lead high-visibility projects that impact the entire group's operations. The small, dedicated sustainability team allows for significant ownership and visibility within the organization.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will be a central node between the Sustainability Manager and various internal departments including Buying, Quality Control, and Supply Chain. These interactions focus on aligning product development with sustainability goals. Externally, you will be the point of contact for suppliers, audit partners, and certification bodies. Your role is to act as both a support system for these partners and a rigorous evaluator of their compliance with Claes Retail Group’s standards.

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