Responsible Sourcing Associate

FATFACE; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Responsible Sourcing Associate to enhance its sustainability efforts. The role involves managing compliance with sourcing standards, conducting assessments, and engaging with teams to promote responsible practices. Ideal candidates will have experience in sourcing, strong analytical skills, and a passion for sustainability.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years experience in responsible sourcing, ethical trade, or sustainability in fashion.
• Understanding of material and fibre standards (e.g. BCI, LWG, GCS).
• Confident working with data in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage compliance with key sourcing standards.
• Conduct due diligence related to high-risk sourcing issues.
• Support retail store auditing and supply chain assessments.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Project Management

Collaboration

Tools

Excel

PLM

Higg

D365

Job description

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:

Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.

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

We re looking for a confident and capable Responsible Sourcing Associate to support the execution of our responsible sourcing strategy. This role plays a key part in maintaining our material and supply chain standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and helping us push forward innovation in due diligence and impact reporting.

You will lead on managing key sustainability standards (e.g. materials standards for example, Better Cotton, Leather Working Group, Good Cashmere Standard), assess supplier data for Scope 3 and carbon impact, and support critical initiatives like Digital Product Passports and design circularity pilots. You ll also work closely with the analyst to manage data and claims, and help train internal teams on sourcing standards.

This role is ideal for someone highly organised, loves systems, and confident presenting

Role Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain compliance with key sourcing standards, for example Better Cotton and Traceable Better Cotton, Leather Working Group (LWG), Good Cashmere Standard (GCS)
• Ensure accurate documentation, due diligence, audit tracking, and claims substantiation across standards.
• Lead claims validation in coordination with the Responsible Sourcing Manager (RSM) and Analyst.
• Conduct due diligence related to high-risk sourcing issues, including Uighur forced labour exposure.
• Support retail store auditing and internal supply chain assessments.
• Stay informed on upcoming legislation affecting sourcing (e.g. CSDDD, ESPR, DPP).
• Collate and assess supplier Scope 3 emissions data in collaboration with responsible sourcing, DBMS and suppliers
• Assist with lifecycle assessments (LCA) and new data systems implementation (e.g. for ESPR/DPP readiness).
• Support RSM in driving forward circularity, regenerative materials, and impact measurement pilots.
• Engage the product teams on sustainable materials and processes, crew and customers through supporting marketing and communication
• Create clear, actionable internal documents, presentations, and guides for wider business use.
• B Corp - collate and supply data
• Critical path driven, understanding of the buying calendar
• Understanding of Raw Material standards
• Review social and environmental related information from suppliers e.g. certificates, policies, impact data
• Contribute to corporate reporting and sustainability updates on website
• Align self to companies social and environmental mission and champion any actions that you can directly impact at all times
  
  Responsibilities may evolve over time in line with business needs and your areas of strength.

Skills and Experience

• 2 3 years experience in responsible sourcing, ethical trade, or sustainability in fashion or consumer goods.
• Understanding of material and fibre standards (e.g. BCI, LWG, GCS), and certifications.
• Confident working with data in Excel able to manage, analyse, and clearly present complex information.
• Familiar with carbon reporting concepts (Scope 1 3) and regulatory frameworks (e.g. EU Deforestation Regulation, DPP, ESPR).
• Excellent communicator strong written and verbal presentation skills.
• Fast learner, comfortable with digital systems and collaborative platforms (e.g. PLM, Higg, PEFT)
• Intermediate excel
• Project management skills ability to manage multiple areas of work and meet deadlines
• Systems experience e.g. Board, D365
• Raw material/ textile experience is an advantage
• Interest in environmental issues
• Awareness of and interest in new legislation and emerging issues, ability to flag and raise risks
• Confident in documenting processes and disseminating
• Experience across textiles, supply chain and operational areas, particularly around standards, fabric certifications, audit processes and corrective action planning.
• True passion for responsible product and sustainability

Role Competencies

• Attention to Detail Manages documentation, standards, and data tracking with accuracy and consistency.
• Analytical Thinking Able to interpret and assess environmental, material, and Scope 3 data effectively.
• Organisation & Planning Manages multiple projects, deadlines, and seasonal requirements with a clear critical path mindset.
• Communication Delivers clear written and verbal updates, presentations, and training materials to engage a variety of stakeholders.
• Collaboration Works effectively across departments and with external partners to drive responsible sourcing goals.
• Adaptability Stays agile within a fast-changing sustainability landscape and regulatory environment.
• Initiative Proactively identifies risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Systems Confidence Quickly adapts to digital tools and data systems (e.g. PLM, Higg, D365).
• Purpose-Driven Demonstrates personal alignment with FatFace s mission and values, championing responsible change.

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:

• Suppliers & Manufacturers
• 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

FatFace Benefits: