Green Sustainability Strategist

Our client is a global leader in insect screen, solar control fabrics, drawn wire, engineered products, and specialty fabrics.

Job Summary
The Green Sustainability Strategist is responsible for the research, development, identification, and implementation of new green polymers and unique raw materials used in the manufacturing of environmentally responsible specialty textiles that meet both customer and business needs. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.

Essential Functions

• Identify, recommend, and define paths for green opportunities within the current product assortment.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers to determine and meet business needs in an environmentally sound manner.
• Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturers of raw materials to identify products supporting sustainability efforts.
• Understand functionality of current raw materials to identify suitable substitutions.
• Maintain familiarity with environmental government regulations in the U.S. and Europe and make recommendations to ensure compliance.
• Pilot and oversee trials of new materials; monitor, analyze, and track performance data.
• Identify and incorporate industry trends into green initiatives.
• Support cross-functional teams to achieve sustainability and business goals.
• Assess and report on current product state in relation to environmental performance.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Non-Essential Functions

• Assist in achieving sustainability certifications.
• Write project proposals, grant applications, or other documents for funding environmental initiatives.
• Develop reports and presentations to identify green opportunities and support solutions.
• Identify risks related to investments in green technology.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Special Demands / Responsibilities

• Stay current with industry trends and innovations.
• Create and foster relationships across the sustainability and materials industries, including professional organization memberships.
• Identify and recommend appropriate testing specifications to achieve sustainability goals.
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel.

Supervision

• Supervision Exercised: None
• Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Sr. Executive Vice President / Chief Development Officer

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Polymers and polymer science
• Methods for locating and identifying essential information
• Math and engineering principles
• Material structure, properties, processing, testing, and characterization

Skills

• Effective written and verbal communication to achieve results
• Problem-solving complex technical and sustainability challenges
• Observation, interpretation, and information gathering
• Critical thinking to evaluate data and develop solutions
• Collaboration across all business levels

Abilities

• Locate and interpret technical and procedural information
• Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Adapt to changing business or environmental conditions
• Analyze and organize data into actionable insights
• Demonstrate strong business acumen

Job Specification Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Textile Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Training and Experience

• Proficiency and experience in sustainability (preferred)
• Manufacturing experience (preferred)
• Required experience with polymers/PVC