Trade Certification Manager, Apparel and Home Goods

As a Trade Certification Manager, you are responsible for Fair Trade USA’s chain of custody certification process. This includes onboarding new partners and successfully operating, developing and implementing tools, methodologies, and strategies to optimize an accessible, efficient and credible assurance program with trading partners and Conformity Assurance Bodies (CABs). You actively contribute to ongoing issue resolution and systems improvement. You are passionate about our mission, detail oriented, curious and dynamic. As an ideal candidate, you have experience in data analysis, accounting, auditing or assurance in a global context and understand supply chain traceability.

The Certification Department ensures compliance with the Fair Trade USA Standards and guarantees claims throughout each product’s supply chain. This individual will work within a team of Certification Managers and report to the Certification Director, additionally working with external brands, traders and factory partners, as well as internal teams within the Apparel and Home Goods program.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage audit process
• Execute transactional chain of custody auditing
• Review and analyze trade data to validate supply chains at a transactional and aggregate level
• Track trade flows, prices, premiums, and price mechanisms to provide analysis of buying patterns and compliance issues using internal systems as well as external research
• Coordinate audit activities with trading partners and CABs
• Review audit reports contribute to follow-up actions decisions
• Oversee Corrective Action Plans progress and provide guidance on non-conformity status
• Manage relationships
• Onboard new partners and maintain certification relationships with Fair Trade traders ​
• Provide analysis and input into overall partner relationships and product management to Certification Director and across the Apparel and Home Goods team
• Support CABs in audit scheduling and providing excellent audit reports
• prove and maintain auditor resources, including the audit tool
• Co-create, improve and conduct CAB and trading partners training
• Manage systems and folders to ensure program execution accuracy
• Ensure internal systems and tracking tools are updated according to milestones and audit results
• Ensure procedural exceptions are documented and results analyzed
• Contribute to program improvement
• Assist in the development and maintenance of internal and external policies and procedures
• Assist in the development and maintenance of internal and external policies and procedures
• Act as subject matter expert in Staff Help Center for traders Certification questions
• Collaborate with Standards to liaise on compliance interpretation
• Contribute to the implementation and overall goals of the Certification team
• Work effectively as a team member, supporting peers and providing insights to improve service, efficiency, and Certification systems for the Apparel and Home Goods program

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, accounting, or a related field.
• A minimum of four years of related work experience in data analysis, accounting, auditing, certification, quality management systems or traceability.
• Experience analyzing large data sets to create solutions or manage risks for different functions within a company or organization.
• Good understanding of global apparel supply chains, manufacturing processes, the related potential for social, economic, and environmental impacts, and industry sustainability strategies.
• Strong project/process management skills and accountability, with demonstrated ability to manage projects of diverse sizes, set realistic goals and objectives, and balance multiple priorities.
• Track record of exceptional customer service, supported by outstanding oral and written communication skills, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to prioritize work effectively, problem solve, and handle detail-oriented projects in a systematic and organized manner.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible, adaptable and able to multi-task, often while working autonomously, in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Self-starter/learner able to work both independently and as a team player.
• Strong work ethics and likes to have fun on the job.
• Positive outlook, diplomatic and adept at conflict resolution.
• Must be proficient in MS Office applications. Proficiency or advanced Excel, Salesforce, SAS, Stata or other database experience is highly preferred.
• A passion for Fair Trade USA’s mission, vision, and accomplishments.
• Oral and written skills in languages other than English a plus.

To Apply:

Please visit the Fair Trade USA website and submit both a resume and a cover letter.