PRINCIPAL, APPAREL SUPPLY CHAINS

JOB SUMMARY:

CARE’s advisory firm, CARE Impact Partners (“CIP”), works with corporations to integrate gender equity across their supply chains to deliver development gains and business outcomes in parallel. CIP works with corporations to adopt a risk-smart approach for secure, resilient, and viable supply chains while helping the people who work in them earn living incomes, live prosperous, and equitable lives.
CIP does this using CARE’s on-the-ground technical expertise in international development to dig deep into the root causes of supply chain risks, and works closely with brands to understand their business needs and sustainability goals. The advisory team designs evidence-based roadmaps, frameworks, toolkits, training, and programs that deliver positive change for women and communities, improved supply chain resilience and mitigated procurement risks, long-term measurable results and return on investment, and value for employees, partners, customers, and investors.

Mission. CIP leverages the power of CARE’s network to transform the status quo in service of greater and more sustainable impact.

Vision. A world where business systems are equitable, and communities thrive.

The Principal for Apparel Supply Chains at CIP will lead the organization’s work in manufacturing supply chains with an initial focus on the apparel sector, working with the private sector and industry stakeholders, ranging from brands to suppliers and factories. They will support clients and recommend transformative approaches to integrate gender and sustainability considerations in business operations toward achieving supply chain equity and resilience.

In this role, you will work closely with the CIP team to develop CIP’s strategic direction for its work with apparel brands and retailers. You will manage team members and consultants engaged in programs related to the apparel supply chains and report to the Managing Director, Kim Brearley.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead high-level strategy with private sector apparel clients

• Providing strategic and tactical guidance to Apparel clients on their gender equity strategy relating to their supply chains, based on findings from CARE country offices in India, Vietnam, and Indonesia
• Overall program management of the full breadth of the engagement.
• Overseeing the design and implementation of the apparel programs, research, partnerships and other engagements, including day-to-day coordination with Country Offices (“COs”) and supply chain actors as necessary.
• Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation approach and implementation.
• Supporting recruitment and managing CARE staff and consultants to support the engagement, as required.
• Manage Learning Manager and all consultants working on CIP apparel programs

Innovation and Business Development

• Build client relationships and future partnerships with apparel brands and retailers
• Utilize design thinking methodologies to develop innovative solutions and drive continuous improvement in supply chain practices.
• Promote a culture of industry learning and innovation among clients by facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing, and encouraging experimentation with new technologies and approaches

Technical Expertise

• Collaborate with CARE country offices and other CARE staff to leverage CARE’s unique capabilities of local expertise, scale, and networks across the world to bring our vision to life and positively impact people and communities.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices related to supply chain social performance, gender, and women’s empowerment and scaling impact
• Understand and communicate technical information to clients and decision-makers
• Advise clients on the strategic integration of sustainability strategies into purchasing practices.
• Apply design thinking principles into CIP’s advisory services work in other sectors, as needed.

Strategy

• Support clients to develop and implement a comprehensive supply chain social performance strategy with a focus on gender and women’s empowerment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred
• 10-15 years work experience and deep understanding of gender dynamics within supply chains
• Expertise in supply chain management, particularly within the apparel sector
• Strong knowledge of social responsibility practices within supply chains
• Proven experience in program management, including strategic planning, budgeting, and M&E
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients
• Skill in collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to integrate social and gender performance considerations into business operations, sourcing decisions, and purchasing processes.
• Strong leadership skills to manage a team of staff and consultants
• Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptability: Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultural contexts, particularly in international development settings, to effectively engage with stakeholders across different regions and backgrounds.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to develop and execute strategic direction for CIP’s work with apparel brands and retailers, aligning with the organization’s mission and vision for greater and more sustainable impact.