Daily Sustainability Job Post

* The link and job description provided was active on December 21, 2021 – the date this was posted. Please refer to the employer’s website for up to date information. This is not our search, we are providing these links as a service to the community of sustainability and ESG jobseekers.

Position Overview:

What’s cool about this job

This job contributes to REI’s success by guiding how sustainability integrates with REI’s product merchandising efforts. This will involve engaging REI’s Merchandising division and 1,000+ brand partners. We are transforming our business in order to fight the climate crisis, which we view as the biggest threat to the future of the outdoors. As the co-op executes against its commitment to more than halve its carbon footprint by 2030, this role will be responsible for managing strategies and initiatives in pursuit of reductions in carbon emissions and environmental impacts across the products REI sells and the supply chains behind them. Models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission.

• Partners with the Merchandising division to lead implementation and ongoing management of REI’s Product Impact Standards
• Supports the Merchandising division in using sustainability data to inform purchasing decisions and meet sustainability and climate targets
• Oversees the deployment of REI’s annual brand assessment, including analysis and communication of results
• Partners with Merchandising and data teams to guide the integration of sustainability data into Product Information and other digital systems
• Partners with Marketing to ensure marketing materials comply with FTC guidelines and align with best practices related to sustainability communications
• Serves as primary point of contact for day-to-day sustainability engagement of REI’s 1,000+ brand partners
• Liaises with sustainability counterparts in brands retailed by REI and with key industry associations (OIA, RILA)
• Provides support in engaging strategic brand partners on emissions reductions, prioritizing run and cycle as growth categories
• Supports the process of integrating brand partners’ carbon emissions data into REI’s carbon footprint.
• Contributes to other brand-facing sustainability initiatives that advance fair labor, animal welfare, responsible chemicals management, waste reduction, and other key topics.
• Integrates racial equity and “just transition” principles into the design and implementation of REI’s Merchandising sustainability initiatives.
• Partners with Merchandising to analyze the business case and governance structure for broad impact and sustainability goals.
• Partners with Merchandising to embed and scale climate and sustainability goals within divisional business plans and budgets.
• Leverages a design thinking and strategic mindset to work collaboratively across REI to define division-level sustainability priorities, problem definition and solutions in support of enterprise-level sustainability goals.

Bring your passion and expertise

• 7+ years of experience in corporate sustainability
• 3+ years of experience in product design, merchandising, manufacturing, and/or strategy
• Expertise in apparel, footwear, bicycle, or accessory supply chain manufacturing
• Demonstrated track record of successful strategy design, project execution, and ongoing management to deliver sustainability outcomes, engagement, and communication
• Knowledge of energy management, energy measurement, and carbon accounting
• Experience providing guidance and support to brands and/or other stakeholders on meeting climate and/or sustainability goals
• Experience crafting the business case and plan for enterprise-level ESG goals, including strategic and financial analysis of energy strategies
• Experience developing documents and presentations for external distribution
• Operates with a high degree of independence and accountability
• Produces deliverables promptly and proactively anticipates future needs
• Proven ability to identify, analyze and objectively problem solve with prompt and meticulous follow-through
• Strong oral communication skills and effective execution with individuals as well as in front of a wide audience
• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one’s own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals.
• Flexible in one’s viewpoints and positions in order to support the direction taken by others at REI.
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.
• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.
• Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.
• Works smart by setting effective work goals, establishing priorities, and planning well in order to produce quality work.
• Executes effectively by using resources efficiently, meeting deadlines, and keeping others informed of work plans and progress toward goals.
• Clearly conveys and accurately receives information by a variety of methods and in various situations.
• Builds rapport with all kinds of people inside and outside the organization.
• Acts upon opportunities and involves and influences others in the accomplishment of worthwhile organizational goals.
• Challenges the status quo, champions change and influences others to change.
• Undergraduate degree (BS or BA) in an environmental or business-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Graduate-level degree (MBA, MEM, MESc,)

At REI we offer an enviable work environment that Fortune Magazine has recognized on the “100 Best Places to Work” list since the award’s inception – 23 years in a row! Sure, we work hard, but it’s balanced with time off to play—a strategy that works for us as we continue to grow and thrive. Want to enjoy a workplace where you can be yourself, be heard and be respected while having a job that challenges you? This is the place.

With more than 160 retail locations (and growing), REI offers unique competitive benefits to its more than 15,000 employees, including healthcare, gear and apparel discounts, free equipment rentals and challenge grants to help employees reach personal outdoor goals, generous retirement plan contributions, public transit subsidy, adoptions assistance, paid sabbaticals, and more.

REI is an Equal Opportunity Employer