Fabric & Certification Lead - Sustainable Textiles

WHITE STUFF; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual bonus

25 days holiday

Volunteer days

Discounts 50%

Dental insurance

Healthcare plan

Life assurance

Season ticket loan

Pension

Job summary

White Stuff is seeking a Fabric and Certification Manager to lead fabric sourcing, sustainable material development, and certification programs across product ranges. You will coordinate with Design, Buying, Technical and Sustainability teams to ensure products meet performance, certification standards and ESG targets.

You will manage supplier relationships, oversee audits, and drive responsible sourcing initiatives, including governance and data reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience in fabric sourcing, textile development or material management within fashion or apparel.
• Strong understanding of textile manufacturing processes.
• Experience managing certification schemes such as GOTS, OCS, GRS, FSC or Fairtrade.
• Knowledge of chain of custody and traceability requirements.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and analytical abilities.
• Experience with ESG, responsible sourcing or sustainability programmes.
• Understanding of evolving regulatory requirements affecting fashion supply chains.
• Experience managing external audits and certification bodies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the fabric sourcing strategy in line with business objectives.
• Identify and introduce innovative, cost-effective and sustainable fabric solutions.
• Work closely with Design, Buying, Technical & Sustainability teams on fabric selection, performance & Certification requirements.
• Manage fabric development from concept through to bulk production.
• Review/create robust certification programmes including Scope Certificates, Transaction Certificates and Chain of Custody requirements.
• Track and ensure suppliers maintain valid certification for relevant standards.
• Verify sustainability claims through documentary evidence.
• Maintain robust certification records and traceability systems.
• Coordinate external certification audits and support corrective action plans.
• Lead the implementation of responsible fibre and material strategies.
• Monitor uptake of certified fibres and sustainable material targets.
• Work with suppliers to improve environmental and social performance.
• Provide guidance on standards such as GOTS, OCS, GRS, FSC, Fairtrade and other relevant certification schemes.
• Eco-Conscious Development: Identify and develop cutting-edge, sustainable fabric options that hit WS commercial targets and ESG initiatives.
• Supply Chain Tracing: Evaluate and map tier-2 mills and tier-3 raw material suppliers to ensure total transparency and proactively manage supply chain risks.
• Commercial Balancing: Collaborate across product development and production to align fabric aesthetics and technical performance with target margins and delivery timelines.
• Build strong relationships with mills, manufacturers and certification bodies.
• Support supplier onboarding, training and compliance activities.
• Conduct supplier reviews and monitor certification performance.
• Resolve certification, traceability and material compliance issues.
• Monitor emerging sustainability legislation and industry requirements.
• Educate and train WS teams on emerging sustainability legislation.
• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory and certification requirements.
• Develop policies and procedures relating to certified materials.
• Support audits, customer requests and due diligence activities.
• Create and maintain efficient, accurate certification and traceability records.
• Produce reports on certified material usage, supplier compliance and sustainability performance.
• Analyse data to identify risks, opportunities and improvement actions.

Skills

Fabric sourcing

Textile development

Material management

Certification schemes

Chain of custody

Project management

Stakeholder management

ESG programs

Regulatory knowledge

Audits

Job description

White Stuff is seeking a Fabric and Certification Manager to lead fabric sourcing, sustainable material development, and certification programs across product ranges. You will coordinate with Design, Buying, Technical and Sustainability teams to ensure products meet performance, certification standards and ESG targets.

You will manage supplier relationships, oversee audits, and drive responsible sourcing initiatives, including governance and data reporting.