Specialist, Product Safety, Product Stewardship Services

As a Product Stewardship Services Specialist, you will join a passionate team dedicated to delivering the highest standards of safety and quality at every level of the supply chain.  The work that our Global Product Stewardship team does is critical to ensuring VF's products are compliant, safe and of high quality.  We deliver this through many ways - associate and supplier training, safety and chemical audits, product testing, and strict adherence with our policies and standards.

How You Will Make a Difference

What you will do:

In this role, you will lead the verification and validation of testing for VF brands, and partner with regional teams (Product Supply, GMS, Quality) to enhance product compliance, safety and quality. In addition, you will provide technical support and advice on testing issues relating to RSL and Product Safety, and evaluate performance of our supplier and vendor factories.  You will also conduct training of our suppliers on Product Stewardship requirements, as well as support other programs essential for maintaining quality and product safety.

How you will do it:

The Product Stewardship Services Specialist will:

Review test reports from nominated testing service providers, provide technical comments and risk assessment on bulk production test reports.  In addition, you will follow up with vendors & Product Supply/Quality/GMS teams in case of testing failure.

Ensure opened test requests in SARGE (our internal testing management system) have been completed properly.

Ensure the proper testing procedures are followed in both development and bulk production testing in accordance with VF requirements.

Ensure material suppliers and garment vendors submit full test reports in accordance to product safety and quality testing manuals.

Attend seasonal product line reviews, provide technical advice, risk assessment or corrective/preventive suggestions to enhance the product safety and quality of VF products.

Conduct Product Stewardship audits at our vendor and supplier factories and communicate corrective action plans

Assist in conducting training for vendors on Product Stewardship requirements.

What success looks like:

Cross functional collaboration with other teams to conduct product safety line reviews to identify and eliminate potential foreseeable safety defects.

Ensure internal teams and suppliers have the appropriate knowledge, training, and support to uphold their role in assuring product safety and the production of a compliant product.

Support our team to meet our metrics for supplier and vendor audits and corrective action follow-ups

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

Skills for Success

Years of related professional experience: 3-5 years

Educational position requirements: Diploma in or above in technical field such as engineering, chemistry

What we expect you already know:

Experience in consumer product regulatory compliance, legal, chemistry and product safety. Good knowledge of fabrics and finished garments, knowledge in footwear, backpacks, luggage and other accessories would be an advantage.Strong analytical skills, able to identify issues and develop solutionsGood command of both written and spoken EnglishAbility to digest complex information and translate into simple communicationsCultural interpersonal skills, ability to work across multiple countries, cultures and time-zonesProficient PC skills, including excellent Microsoft Office Suite skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)Sound knowledge in lab testing, GB China testing, RSL testing and product safety requirement would be an advantage

What we will teach you:

The ins and outs of the apparel and footwear industryHow to be successful working in a global, matrixed environmentTechnical knowledge on RSL and Product Safety for consumer products

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