Responsible Sourcing Assistant

JR United Kingdom; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK retailer is seeking a Responsible Sourcing Assistant to join their team in Southampton. This role focuses on supplier onboarding, compliance tracking, and materials management within a sustainability framework. Candidates should have strong IT skills, a passion for sustainable practices, and experience in a similar office environment. The position offers a full-time, hybrid work model with significant engagement in ethical trade practices.

Benefits

60% off company products

Discounted gym membership

Flexible working opportunities

Cycle to Work scheme

EV vehicle scheme

Qualifications

• 1+ years' experience in a similar office-based role, ideally within sustainability or a commercial role.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; additional languages are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support supplier onboarding and database maintenance.
• Assist with audit tracking and compliance documentation.

Skills

Excellent IT skills

Interest in sustainability

Good interpersonal skills

Analytical mindset

Education

Relevant degree or training

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Responsible Sourcing Assistant, southampton

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Client:

FatFace

Location:

southampton, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

2

Posted:

22.08.2025

Expiry Date:

06.10.2025

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Job Description:

Role: Responsible Sourcing Assistant

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working (3 days per week office based)

Who are we?

For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.

Our mission statement:

Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.

Our Product formula:

Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.

Role Summary

A key role in supporting the Responsible Sourcing team with supplier onboarding, factory due diligence, compliance tracking and materials management. Reporting to the Junior Ethical Trade and Materials Manager, this role offers hands-on experience with both ethical trade and responsible materials, and would suit someone with an analytical mindset, and a passion for improving working conditions and environmental practices in fashion supply chains.

Role Responsibilities

• Align self to companies social and environmental mission and champion any actions that you can directly impact at all times’

Support the Junior Ethical Trade and Materials Manager with the following tasks:

• Using audit reports to create corrective action plans, issue to suppliers and monitor responses
• Support supplier/factory onboarding process - information collection and system set up
• Update and maintain supplier and factory database
• Update FatFace Factory list for Supply Hub & FatFace website (Every 6 months)
• Coordinate supply chain mapping – ensuring forms are sent out and we receive complete and accurate data

Material Standards & Compliance

• Maintain Factory Scope Certifications excel database – ensure we have a valid Factory Scope Certification saved down and listed on the sheet for factories in our supply chain.
• Review Leather Tracker to ensure data accuracy and document collection
• Ensure all Leaping Bunny declarations are collected, and trackers updated
• Assist in maintaining the Lenzing tracker and applying for product licenses on time
• Assist in maintaining the Linen tracker and requesting certification from suppliers on time

Ad Hoc

• Monitor the Responsible Sourcing inbox and forward emails to relevant team members
• Regular engagement in webinars, news and training material
• Liaising with Suppliers (Questions about Certs. Audits. Training)
• Support RS Team on ad hoc projects and activities including coordinating supplier conferences
• Maintain contact database (ensuring all contacts are up to data etc..)
• Maintain Policy document log and communicate updates to suppliers

Skills and Experience

Experience Level/Qualification:

• Excellent IT skills with demonstrable experience in excel.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
• Interest in sustainability & ethical fashion.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. Additional languages would be advantageous.
• 1+ years' experience in a similar Office based role, ideally within sustainability or a commercial role.

General Skills:

• Passion for sustainability and responsible sourcing
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Disciplined, detailed, analytical, passionate, team player
• Integrity in personality
• An outgoing and confident personality; energy, enthusiasm, drive and a ‘can do’ attitude.

Collaboration – Works effectively with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and external partners to drive responsible sourcing outcomes

Attention to Detail – Ensures accuracy in audit tracking, compliance documentation, and claims validation

Problem Solving – Approaches challenges with a solution-focused mindset, particularly in complex sourcing and compliance scenarios

Initiative – Proactively identifies risks and opportunities for improvement across suppliers, materials, and processes

Planning & Organisation – Manages multiple projects, audits, and onboarding activities simultaneously with clear timelines and prioritisation

Communication – Confidently communicates technical and compliance information to a variety of stakeholders in a clear and engaging way

Leadership – Supports, coaches and inspires others, contributing to a positive and high-performing team environment

Adaptability – Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment with changing legislation and business needs

Key Contacts and Relationships:

Internal:

• Responsible Sourcing Manager
• Responsible Sourcing Team
• Buying, Design & Product Teams
• Compliance
• Marketing
• Retail Operations
• People Team
• NEXT COP & Sustainability & Legislation Team

External:

• Standard Bodies & Certifiers Auditors & Technical Consultants
• Platform Providers
• NGOs & Industry Bodies
• Regulators & Frameworks

Accountable for Resources:

• Management and documentation of material standards (e.g. BCI, LWG, GCS)
• Tracking tools for supplier compliance, claims, and audit data
• Sustainability platforms and systems (e.g. DPP, PEFT, PLM)
• Supplier and product-related environmental data (Scope 3, lifecycle, impact metrics)
• Internal training materials, presentations, and sustainability communications
• Circularity and innovation pilots (e.g. regenerative fibres, product passports)
• Responsible sourcing documentation for corporate and B Corp reporting
• Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues)
• Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options
• Dental insurance (colleague funded)

Discounts & Perks

• 60% off FatFace products
• 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products)
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• Perkbox – our online platform offering:
• Day-one access
• Exclusive brand discounts
• Home workouts and more
• Specsavers eye care scheme
• Eye tests and contributions to glasses
• Free period products
• EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support

Learning & Development

• Day-one access
• 1,000s of learning resources
• Sabbatical leave (in line with service)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave
• Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis.