Q

Manager - Sustainability

Q Collection • Sri Lanka • Added on Jul 24, 2026
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As the localized lead for sustainability operations, you will take full ownership of ESG strategy and compliance across the company’s Sri Lankan manufacturing facilities. Your daily focus centers on embedding international standards into the production floor, overseeing a local team to ensure rigorous health, safety, and environmental excellence. Beyond the factory gates, you will analyze global climate transition and reputational risks to help steer the wider group’s strategic direction.

This role is a vital link in the apparel industry’s transformation, moving beyond basic auditing to actualize deep-rooted systemic change. By managing a complex portfolio of certifications like Higg FEM and SLCP, you directly influence how high-street brands perceive the ethical integrity of their supply chain. You turn technical data into a narrative of responsible manufacturing, ensuring that environmental restoration and labor rights are central to the business model.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp analytical mind for risk assessment and at least five years of leadership experience in manufacturing. You should be equally comfortable navigating a busy factory floor and presenting high-level intelligence to global stakeholders.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to oversee sustainability operations and risk management for the group's Sri Lankan footprint while contributing to global strategy. You will be responsible for ensuring that all manufacturing activities align with international labor and environmental standards, maintaining a culture of total compliance across the production floor. Key duties involve managing the local sustainability team, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and maintaining a rigorous calendar of audits. You will also take a proactive role in identifying global climate transition risks and reputational threats, translating these complex data points into actionable insights for senior leadership to enhance global resilience.

Key learning opportunities for this job

A major highlight of this role is the exposure to a comprehensive suite of sustainability certifications and monitoring tools, including Higg FEM, SLCP, and OEKO-TEX. Mastering these frameworks within a high-volume manufacturing context provides a technical depth that is highly sought after in the fashion industry. Furthermore, you will gain significant expertise in global ESG risk modeling. By working alongside the Strategy and Intelligence teams, you will learn how to analyze physical and reputational risks on a global scale, moving your career toward more executive-level sustainability consulting and strategic decision-making.

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

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience specifically within sustainability management, preferably in an industrial or apparel manufacturing environment. You should have a proven track record of managing teams and navigating complex social and environmental compliance audits successfully. Technical knowledge of climate risk and carbon footprinting is essential, but soft skills are equally important. You must demonstrate the ability to influence cross-functional teams and build strong relationships with international customers and external regulatory bodies.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond listing your compliance knowledge and demonstrate your ability to think strategically. The hiring team is looking for a leader who understands how sustainability risks impact the bottom line and business reputation, so use your application to highlight a time you translated a risk into a strategic advantage. Explicitly mention your experience with the specific certifications listed in the job description, such as BSCI, WRAP, or SMETA. Showing that you have a 'big-picture' perspective while remaining detail-oriented in factory-level operations will make you a much stronger contender.

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

The role bridges the gap between operational environmental performance and global ESG governance. Locally, you will focus on resource efficiency—specifically energy, water, and waste reduction—while ensuring that human rights and safety standards are meticulously upheld on-site. Globally, the focus shifts toward climate resilience and transparency. You will be instrumental in the group's reporting efforts, ensuring that sustainability data is accurately captured and reported to global stakeholder portals, thereby securing the company's position as a frontrunner in ethical apparel production.

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

One of the chief challenges will be balancing stringent compliance with the fast-paced demands of global apparel manufacturing. Ensuring that every department adheres to evolving international standards requires constant vigilance and the ability to manage resistance when operational changes are necessary. Additionally, managing global supply chain security and CTPAT requirements adds a layer of complexity. You must be able to maintain high standards not just within your own factory, but also across subcontractors and service providers who may have different levels of sustainability maturity.

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

A typical day might begin with a walk-through of the manufacturing facilities to monitor health, safety, and hygiene standards. This could be followed by a calibration meeting with your local team to review recent audit findings or progress on environmental KPI reporting. In the afternoons, your focus may shift to higher-level coordination, such as consulting with global stakeholders on climate risk assessments or preparing data for a customer's ESG portal. You will likely spend time reviewing new legislative updates to ensure the factory remains ahead of local and international legal requirements.

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

Given the dual nature of this role—local operational leadership and global strategic intelligence—the growth potential is significant. Success here could lead to Group-level leadership roles or specialized roles in sustainability strategy and ESG risk for multinational corporations. As the apparel industry continues its high-velocity shift toward total transparency, your experience in managing LEED-certified facilities and comprehensive reporting frameworks will position you as an expert in the 'Future of Fashion,' making you a key asset for any global brand.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the factory management and HR teams to ensure that labor and safety standards are integrated into everyday operations. You also serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors and customer compliance teams. At a group level, you will work closely with the Global Sustainability Strategy & Intelligence team. This collaborative relationship ensures that local insights from Sri Lanka are reflected in the company’s worldwide environmental and social governance policies.

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