Vans: Senior Manager, Global Sustainability

As part of Vans Brand and VF’s Global Sustainability team in the Senior Manager, Sustainability position, you will have the opportunity of setting the strategic direction and roadmap to reduce environmental impacts related to Vans products and operations, in line with VF’s science based targets.  In this role, you will focus on improving the environmental impact of product materials, packaging, retail operations (e.g., consumer bags, polybags, shoe recycling programs), HQ operations and policies (e.g., recycling and composting), employee engagement and volunteer initiatives, and collaborate with marketing externally facing sustainability marketing claims and material certifications.  You will exercise your passion and entrepreneurial spirit working in cooperation with Vans and VF materials innovation, product safety, and energy management teams while driving employee engagement at the Vans headquarters to motivate and inspire more sustainable behaviors.

Join the Vans Family

Vans® is the original action sports footwear company, rooted in authenticity and creativity. Founded in 1966, we have thrived on a legacy of impacting our greater community through four pillars: action sports, music, art and street culture. We are constantly inspired by the creative voyagers within our company and community.  For them, creativity is about the journey, not just the output.  Our mission is to empower everyone to use creativity to discover themselves. Our vision is to create a world where anyone can be their unique self.

At Vans, our culture sets us apart and influences everything we do. We are driven by our five values: We have HEART – also referred to as the “Van Doren Spirit”.  We are relentlessly CURIOUS about our consumers and the world around us. We are UNAPOLOGETICALLY AUTHENTIC and whole heartedly believe the most “Off the Wall” thing you can do is be yourself.  We are driven by a spirit of INGENUITY.  And we are passionate about local COMMUNITIES.  And most of all, we are a family that has fun together.

At Vans we empower creative exploration and inspire youth culture through a commitment to inclusivity. We welcome anyone and everyone into our global family and proudly celebrate and environment where individuality is embraced, equal opportunities thrive, and everyone is empowered to reach their greatest potential. 

By joining our family, you will be immersed in an environment of incredibly supportive and collaborative people. We work hard across a multitude of initiatives to bring the Van Doren Spirit to life. We live for what we do.

How You Will Make a Difference

What you will do:

• Partner with cross-functional teams, the broader VF Sustainability team, other relevant VF functions, and Vans leadership to meet sustainability goals and track key performance indicators
• Weave product lines and other sustainability initiatives into a single, unified brand that consumers recognize
• Partner across the Vans and VF organization to lead the cross-functional task force and ensure key stakeholders are included in decision making and are aligned to achieve outlined program goals and recently announced sustainability targets (regenerative agriculture, circularity, nature, etc.)
• Lead the Vans Steering Committee and the Vans Green Working Group
• Serve on VF’s Sustainability Council and liaise with other VF brands to drive sustainability at Vans and throughout the organization.
• Track progress, metrics, and measures to show results and present them to the executive leadership team or in all employee meetings
• Establish a measureable strategy for Circular Products and Programs
• Collaborate with the VF team to establish Nature based targets and how they apply specifically to Vans
• Develop, continue and activate packaging strategies that result in environmental benefits and waste reduction

How you will do it:

• Work collaboratively with product teams to establish strategic long-term direction for reducing the environmental impacts & establishing sustainable product roadmaps for all product categories based on LCA data, industry benchmarking, and best practices. 
• Work closely with corporate communications and marketing teams to effectively communicate progress internally and externally by educating and inspiring stakeholders about the sustainability impact of the business
• Stay up to date on new legislation and policy to work with product and wholesale teams & stay ahead of compliance
• Work with HQ facilties and HR team to implement best practices in everyday workspaces and keep sustainability top of mind.
• Engage with our consumer while acting as subject matter expertise through ongoing industr