Assistant Manager - Sustainability & Traceability

The main mission is to make sure Fossil has reliable sustainability and traceability data from its supply chain. You would onboard key suppliers, collect and analyze energy, carbon and water data, and manage traceability information from Tier 1 factories. A big part of the job is helping factories gather similar data from their own suppliers, which means building relationships and explaining requirements clearly. You would also support the rollout of a traceability platform, including designing reports, tracking data quality and preparing for third-party verification. Periodically, you would audit the information factories provide, which may involve travel. Another responsibility is working with compliance and operations teams to align with laws like CSRD, CBAM, REACH and conflict minerals rules. On the reporting side, you would compile and analyze material data from various internal systems and report on traceability and ESG KPIs to business owners. The role is a mix of hands-on data work, supplier engagement and cross-functional coordination.

You would gain hands-on experience with carbon accounting, traceability systems and ESG data management in a global supply chain context. Working with frameworks like CSRD, CBAM, REACH and conflict minerals would build your knowledge of regulatory compliance. The role also offers exposure to advanced data tools such as Power BI and Excel, which are valuable for any sustainability career. Because you would train suppliers and work with factories, you could develop strong stakeholder engagement and capacity-building skills. Learning how to navigate different levels of the supply chain, from Tier 1 to Tier 2 and beyond, is a rare opportunity that many sustainability professionals seek. The 10-20% travel would give you direct insight into factory operations and the challenges of implementing sustainability on the ground. Mentorship from the global sustainability team and collaboration with sourcing and compliance colleagues could also broaden your understanding of how sustainability integrates with business functions. If you are early in your career, this role provides a solid foundation in supply chain sustainability.

The ideal candidate likely has a degree or equivalent experience in engineering, business management or sustainability, with some exposure to supply chain, logistics or procurement. Formal training in a sustainability disclosure framework would be a plus. You should be comfortable with carbon accounting and material compliance regulations, or at least willing to learn them quickly. Language skills are important: advanced English and proficiency in Mandarin and Cantonese. Advanced Excel and experience with Power BI or similar visualization tools are expected, since you would handle large datasets. A learner's mindset and interest in technology would help you adapt to new platforms. Soft skills matter too: you would need to be a clear communicator, able to explain technical requirements to suppliers who may not have a sustainability background. Patience, attention to detail and the ability to build relationships across cultures would be key. Exposure to fashion or retail is an advantage but not essential.

To stand out, tailor your application to show that you understand both supply chain operations and sustainability data. Highlight any experience with supplier engagement, carbon accounting or traceability, even if it was part of a broader role. Mention specific regulations you have worked with, such as CSRD, CBAM or REACH, and explain how you helped a company comply. In your cover letter, connect your motivation to Fossil's Make Time For Good initiative and the specific challenge of improving traceability in a complex supply chain. Demonstrate your language skills and data proficiency by giving examples of how you used Excel or Power BI to analyze supplier data or track KPIs. If you have worked with factories or in fashion/retail, bring that up. For interviews, be ready to discuss how you would handle a supplier who is slow to provide data or how you would ensure data accuracy. Show curiosity about Fossil's brands and sustainability goals. Since the role involves travel, express willingness to visit factories and understand their operations firsthand.

The role focuses on the environmental and governance side of supply chain sustainability, particularly carbon accounting, energy and water data, and product traceability. You would help Fossil understand the footprint of its products by collecting material and supplier data from Tier 1 factories and extending requests to Tier 2 and below. This directly supports disclosures tied to frameworks like CSRD and CBAM. Traceability is another core area, ensuring that product and supply chain information can be tracked and verified, which is increasingly important for regulations such as the Digital Product Passport and conflict minerals reporting. By working with factories on data quality, you contribute to the credibility of Fossil's sustainability claims. The social aspect appears through supplier engagement and training, where you help vendors understand what is expected of them. This capacity-building angle means the role touches on all three ESG pillars, though environmental and governance topics are likely to dominate the day-to-day.

One challenge is data quality and availability from suppliers, especially Tier 2 and below, where visibility is often limited. Factories may not have the systems or staff to provide accurate energy, water or material data, so you would need to be patient and resourceful in helping them improve. Language and cultural differences could add complexity, even with your Chinese and English skills. Another challenge is keeping up with evolving regulations like CSRD, CBAM and DPP, which may change how data must be collected and reported. Balancing this with the practical realities of supply chain operations requires flexibility. You might also face resistance from suppliers who see sustainability requests as an extra burden. Internally, aligning multiple teams around common data standards and timelines could be tricky, especially in a large organization with many brands and product lines. Prioritizing which suppliers to focus on and ensuring data is consistent across systems would be an ongoing effort.

A typical day could start with checking data submissions from Tier 1 factories and following up on missing information. You might have calls with suppliers to walk them through what is needed for carbon accounting or traceability, then spend time cleaning and analyzing that data in Excel or Power BI. Later, you could meet with the internal sourcing team to align on which vendors need support and how to improve response rates. There would also be periodic meetings with the global sustainability team to review progress against KPIs and discuss any issues with data quality. When preparing for audits or third-party verification, your day might focus on compiling evidence and checking that everything is consistent. Because the role involves 10-20% travel, some weeks will include factory visits, which shifts the rhythm towards in-person training and relationship building rather than screen-based work.

This role could be a stepping stone to more senior sustainability positions within Fossil or elsewhere. As you become proficient in traceability and carbon accounting, you might take on larger supplier portfolios or lead specific regulatory projects. The exposure to global supply chains and multiple brands could open doors to roles in sustainable sourcing, ESG reporting or compliance. Given Fossil's commitment to Make Time For Good, there may be opportunities to contribute to strategic initiatives beyond data collection, such as developing supplier engagement programs or improving traceability systems. Success in this role could lead to a manager position overseeing a team or a regional sustainability program. The skills you build in data analysis, stakeholder management and regulatory compliance are transferable across industries, making this a strong foundation for a long-term career in sustainability.

You would interact most often with Tier 1 factories and vendors, who provide the data you need. These relationships require clear communication and follow-up, since factories may have different levels of maturity in sustainability reporting. You would also work closely with Fossil's sourcing and supply chain teams, who manage the day-to-day relationships with those factories. Internally, the global sustainability team would be a key partner, setting direction and using the data you help collect. The compliance and operations teams would rely on you to ensure that supplier information meets regulatory requirements. You might also engage with third-party verifiers or auditors during periodic checks. Over time, you could find yourself coordinating with colleagues in other regions, especially if traceability efforts expand across Fossil's global supply chain.