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Assistant Manager Social Sustainability

PUMA Group • China • Added on Aug 7, 2026
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As a key link in the regional supply chain, you will oversee the implementation of social standards across manufacturing sites. This involves coordinating training programs, managing third-party audits, and leading remediation visits to ensure factories respect labor rights and safety protocols. You will act as the hands-on guardian of the Code of Conduct, bridging the gap between global strategy and local factory floor reality.

In the high-pressure world of sportswear manufacturing, ensuring worker welfare is a critical pillar of brand integrity. This role offers the chance to drive meaningful human rights improvements by guiding suppliers through social KPI collection and facilitating the election of worker representatives. Your work directly impacts thousands of lives in the supply chain by fostering safer, fairer working environments.

This suits someone who possesses a deep understanding of labor laws and auditing processes and thrives in a field-based role that requires both diplomatic communication and rigorous analytical oversight.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will be responsible for the end-to-end monitoring of PUMA's social, health, and safety standards at supplier factories. This includes managing third-party audits, conducting verification visits, and ensuring that any non-compliance issues are effectively remediated through corrective action plans. Beyond auditing, you will lead capability-building programs to educate factory management and workers on the Code of Conduct. You will also coordinate the collection of social KPIs to track progress against regional human rights targets and update internal sustainability databases to keep stakeholders informed of supplier performance.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers deep immersion into global supply chain governance and the practical application of the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP). You will gain expertise in interpreting complex labor regulations and translating them into actionable factory-level standards. Additionally, you will receive exposure to international human rights frameworks and multi-stakeholder initiatives like the Fair Labor Association (FLA). Engaging with regional government bodies and industry peers will sharpen your negotiation skills and strategic understanding of the ESG landscape in Asia.

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

The successful candidate should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and bring at least five years of experience in social compliance or sustainability auditing. Fluency in English is essential for reporting and internal communication within the global PUMA structure. You should demonstrate high proficiency in data management tools like Microsoft Excel for tracking KPIs and have a rigorous attention to detail. A strong background in conducting on-site audits and a thorough understanding of health and safety protocols are highly valued for this field-intensive position.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, highlight your direct experience with remediation and conflict resolution within a manufacturing context. PUMA values a 'can-do' spirit, so provide specific examples of how you have helped a supplier transition from non-compliance to meeting international standards. Familiarity with the specific labor dynamics and regulations in the Guangdong region will be a significant advantage. Tailor your application to show how your technical auditing skills are matched by an ability to build trust with factory management and worker representatives alike.

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

The primary focus is on the 'Social' pillar of ESG, specifically human rights, fair wages, and occupational health and safety. You will ensure that the people making PUMA products work in environments that meet or exceed local laws and international labor standards. You will also play a role in governance and transparency by managing audit data and supporting the election of worker representatives. This ensures that factory workers have a voice, aligning with the company's broader commitment to social equity and responsible sourcing.

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

One of the main challenges is balancing the commercial pressures of the sourcing department with the strict requirements of sustainability compliance. Negotiating improvements with factory owners who may face resource constraints requires significant persistence and diplomacy. Additionally, keeping pace with evolving local regulations and ensuring consistent standards across a diverse set of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers can be demanding. You must be prepared to navigate complex cultural and language barriers while maintaining the integrity of the audit process.

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

A typical day might begin with reviewing audit reports from third-party firms and identifying critical red flags that require immediate follow-up. You could spend the afternoon on-site at a factory, walking the production floor to verify safety equipment and interviewing workers about their conditions. Back in the office, you will likely join team calls to align with global sustainability managers or meet with sourcing teams to discuss supplier performance. The day often concludes with data entry and the preparation of monthly activity reports to track remediation progress.

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

As an Assistant Manager, you are on a path toward senior sustainability leadership within a major multinational corporation. Success in this role can lead to regional management positions or specialized roles in global human rights strategy. PUMA's commitment to internal mobility means you could potentially transition into broader ESG reporting or sustainable procurement roles. The experience gained in stakeholder engagement also opens doors to positions within NGOs or international industry associations.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with factory management teams and worker representatives to drive compliance and training initiatives. Internally, you will collaborate closely with the Sourcing and Production departments to ensure sustainability performance influences purchasing decisions. External stakeholders include third-party auditors, industry peers in working groups, and local government officials. You will also represent PUMA in discussions with civil society organizations and labor rights advocates to maintain the brand's reputation.

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