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Sustainability Coordinator

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As a Sustainability Coordinator at URBN, you will be the primary link between global sustainability goals and regional manufacturing realities. Your daily focus centers on the rigorous verification of raw material certifications and the management of cotton traceability programs. You will ensure that every sustainable claim made by the brand portfolio is backed by solid documentation and accurate data reports.

This position is essential for maintaining the integrity of URBN’s responsible sourcing commitments. By bridging the gap between suppliers and the global trade team, you directly influence the measurable reduction of environmental impact within the apparel supply chain. Your work provides the transparency required for authentic consumer communication and regulatory compliance in a rapidly evolving global market.

This suits someone who possesses a keen eye for detail and enjoys translating complex certification requirements into actionable supplier guidance. You should be comfortable pivoting between data-heavy reporting and active communication with diverse manufacturing partners across the region.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to maintain the integrity of responsible material tracking across the regional supply chain. You will manage the documentation for global memberships like the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, ensuring that style and fabric data match platform records precisely. This involves significant data reconciliation to ensure internal reporting remains accurate. Beyond data entry, you will oversee the collection of third-party certifications such as GOTS or OEKO-TEX for various product lines. You are responsible for identifying data gaps where materials are marked as sustainable but lack proof. By facilitating the verification process, you provide the necessary approval for high-profile marketing moments like Earth Month campaigns.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep technical expertise in global textile certification standards and traceability platforms like Textile Genesis. This role offers a unique opportunity to understand the mechanics of sustainable procurement within a large-scale retail environment, moving beyond theory into the practicalities of supply chain mapping. Additionally, you will be exposed to GHG emissions accounting and evolving environmental regulations. Working within a Global Trade & Compliance team provides a broader perspective on how sustainability intersects with international trade law, logistics, and corporate risk management, which are highly transferable skills in the modern fashion industry.

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

The ideal candidate holds a college degree and possesses at least two years of experience in a role involving data manipulation and organizational oversight. Since this role sits at the intersection of textiles and environmental impact, a foundational understanding of apparel manufacturing and various eco-labels is a significant advantage. Soft skills are just as vital as technical ones; you must be an effective communicator capable of explaining complex compliance needs to suppliers from different backgrounds. A high level of proficiency in Excel or similar data tools is expected, as is the ability to maintain meticulous records in an ever-changing fast-fashion landscape.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate a specific understanding of the textile supply chain in India and the challenges associated with agricultural traceability. Highlight any previous experience you have working with BCI, GOTS, or recycled material standards, as these are central to the role's daily operations. Tailor your application by showcasing your analytical mindset. Mention instances where you identified data discrepancies or improved a reporting process. URBN values a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, so highlighting your ability to proactively solve onboarding issues with vendors will likely resonate with the hiring team.

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

This role is heavily focused on responsible sourcing and product circularity. Specifically, you will be the guardian of raw material claims, ensuring that the environmental footprint of cotton and other fibers is accurately documented and verified through recognized global frameworks. There is also a significant focus on social and environmental governance within the supply chain. By monitoring facility-level certifications and supporting GHG accounting data, you help the company manage its Scope 3 emissions and ensure that manufacturing partners meet the rigorous standards expected by global consumers.

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

One of the chief challenges is maintaining data accuracy across thousands of purchase orders and hundreds of suppliers. Discrepancies between supplier reports and internal data are common, requiring patience and persistent follow-ups to rectify before reporting deadlines. Another challenge lies in supplier education. Not all vendors may be equally familiar with the requirements of various sustainability partnerships. You will need to act as a consultant and educator to help them navigate onboarding processes while maintaining the strict standards required by the Global Trade & Compliance team.

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

A typical day begins with reconciling BCI and USCTP reports, checking style-level data against platform uploads to ensure everything is synchronized. You might spend mid-morning communicating with brand teams to approve certificates needed for upcoming product launches or marketing campaigns. In the afternoon, you might hold onboarding sessions via video call or email with new suppliers, guiding them through the documentation required for responsible material partnerships. The day often ends with data cleanup or updating resource guides to reflect new regulatory requirements or changes in certification protocols.

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

Growth in this role often looks like moving into specialized sustainability management or supply chain compliance leadership. As you master the complexities of material traceability, you could evolve into a role focuses on strategy, such as selecting new sustainable fibers or setting regional decarbonization targets. Because URBN is a large global portfolio, there are also opportunities for cross-brand collaboration. Experience gained in the India region can lead to global roles within the Trade & Compliance department or lateral moves into sustainable sourcing and procurement teams at the corporate headquarters level.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with the Global Sustainability Manager and the wider Trade & Compliance department. On the product side, you will work closely with brand fabric teams and designers to ensure their material choices are fully certified and ready for market. Externally, your most important stakeholders are the regional suppliers and vendors. You will also coordinate with representatives from sustainability platforms and certification bodies like Better Cotton or Textile Genesis to troubleshoot technical issues and ensure URBN’s data aligns with global industry standards.

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