Head of Ethical Trade - South Asia

Review: Head of Ethical Trade and Sustainability - South Asia

This is a compelling opportunity for seasoned professionals looking to make a significant impact within the ethical trade and sustainability landscape. Primark's "Head of Ethical Trade and Sustainability - South Asia" role offers a strategic platform for driving positive change within a rapidly growing global retail brand. For candidates with a passion for social compliance, human rights, and environmental stewardship, this position presents a chance to shape and implement critical initiatives across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Strategic Leadership & Influence: This role places you at the forefront of Primark's ethical trade and sustainability efforts in a vital region. You will have the autonomy to develop and own the regional strategy, contributing directly to global initiatives and influencing the brand's commitment to responsible business practices.
• Tangible Impact: The description clearly emphasizes making a "tangible difference." You'll be directly involved in ensuring social compliance, driving environmental sustainability, protecting worker rights, and fostering collaborative relationships with suppliers and NGOs. This is an opportunity to see the direct results of your leadership.
• Growth and Development: Primark is on an "exhilarating growth trajectory." This means the role is not only challenging but also offers immense potential for personal and professional growth. You'll be part of an expanding business where your contributions will be vital to its continued success.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: As a key member of the EMEAA team, you will collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, both internally and externally. This includes working closely with suppliers, NGOs, and unions, providing a rich environment for learning and networking.
• Brand Reputation and Worker Welfare: The role is crucial in protecting the brand and ensuring the welfare of workers in Primark's supply chains. This is a significant responsibility that offers a sense of purpose and the satisfaction of upholding ethical standards.
• Diverse Responsibilities: The scope of the role is broad, encompassing team management, strategic planning, issue resolution, stakeholder engagement, and process improvement. This diversity ensures that you'll be continually challenged and engaged.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Extensive Leadership Experience Required: With over 10 years of leadership experience in Ethical Trade, Sustainability, or CSR, this role is designed for individuals who have a proven track record of managing complex programs and leading high-performing teams. The expectation is to have led teams of 30+ individuals, highlighting the scale of responsibility.
• Navigating Sensitive Environments: A key aspect highlighted is managing programs in countries where human rights issues can be "highly sensitive and potentially political." Candidates must possess strong diplomatic skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to navigate complex socio-political landscapes effectively.
• Holistic Approach: The ideal candidate will be adept at integrating human rights, environmental sustainability, and brand agendas, identifying opportunities to combine these elements for maximum positive impact. A broad understanding of these interconnected areas is essential.
• Technical Expertise in Supply Chain Monitoring: A solid understanding of factory monitoring and remediation processes, including methodologies like SMETA, SA8000, and HIGG, is critical. Experience managing third-party audit companies will be highly valued.
• Strategic Vision with Operational Acumen: While strategic thinking is paramount, the ability to translate strategy into actionable implementation plans and drive operational efficiency is equally important. This includes improving supply chain monitoring and reporting processes.
• Commitment to Primark's Values: Primark's core values of Caring, Dynamic, and Succeeding Together are central to their culture. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values and a genuine commitment to putting people first and driving continuous improvement.

In conclusion, the Head of Ethical Trade and Sustainability role at Primark in South Asia is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced leader to drive meaningful progress in a globally recognized retail brand. It requires a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to ethical practices. For those who thrive in dynamic environments and are passionate about creating a more sustainable and equitable supply chain, this position offers a rewarding and impactful career path.