Senior Sustainability Specialist – Material Sustainability and Environmental

JOB SUMMARY:

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States and Canada. Our brands are among the best known and respected in the industry, including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation & Green Row. We successfully market our brands through three major channels – retail stores, catalogs, and the internet. One of the key growth strategies for Williams-Sonoma Inc. is global expansion. This expansion will be done through company-owned & operated stores/DTC channels, and through strategic franchise partnerships.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the WSI Sustainability department in achieving companywide and brand-specific goals related to positive environmental impact
• Lead WSI Preferred Material R&D Strategy and Team. Prioritize research projects with consideration for environmental impacts and business needs
• Lead the alternative materials research work e.g., hard plastics, foam, down, melamine
• Implement and expand the WSI Preferred Material Framework to increase usage of materials with lower environmental impacts
• Lead traceability work for key materials e.g. cotton, leather, conflict minerals
• Develop and drive material strategies to be aligned with company corporate climate goals and science-based targets, with a focus on emissions reduction in raw material sourcing
• Develop training materials and conduct trainings (in-person or virtually) to global teams
• Continually conduct market and industry research on alternative/sustainable materials and their application in home goods products; capture, and share industrywide material trends and best practices
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop and test alternative materials and prototype product samples
• Manage material testing and analyze test results in context of WSI Preferred Material Framework and WSI QA product quality and safety standards (includes forensic, isotope, and DNA species testing)
• Identify considerations and potential risks related to material use such as potential chemical hazards in manufacturing or long-term effects of materials in the environment (i.e. microplastic pollution)
• Develop recommendations for the use of sustainable materials and highlight potential risks and benefits, including estimated environmental impacts
• Maintain a preferred materials library – digital and physical (where appropriate)
• Promote the use of preferred materials within the organization- internally and externally.
• Ensure accurate marketing claims on sustainability attributes on our responsibly sourced products
• Collaborate cross-functionally on material goal setting and metrics to drive results
• Develop and maintain budget, project timelines, and progress reports
• Coordinate and support the integration of sustainability into product development processes through trainings and workshops
• Lead collaboration with external trade groups an industry peers

Skills and requirements

• Masters/ bachelor’s degree in Material Science or Materials Science & Engineering or equivalent (Major in, or Research in Materials for Sustainability is a plus)
• Minimum 4 years working experience in a multinational corporation, experience in working with sustainable materials (i.e. plastic) is a plus
• Basic understanding/knowledge of:

1. Industry standards, certifications, and traceability mechanisms for sustainability, health and safety, carbon emissions etc.
2. Product and material lifecycle analysis (LCA), scientific and academic research, and laboratory material testing methodologies
3. Circular economy concepts, principles of green design, and systems thinking

• Experience and working knowledge of various material types for soft and hard-line products including:

1. recycled, upcycled and bio-based synthetic fibers (polyester, polyamide, etc.)
2. manmade cellulosic fibers (viscose, rayon, proprietary fibers, etc.)
3. plant and animal-based fibers (cotton, linen, leather, down, wool, etc.)
4. wood, plastic, ceramic, glass, and metal

• Independent and proactive in setting own goals and deadlines, with ability to manage various projects
• Proven analytic skills with experience processing large amounts of data to derive insight and develop recommendations for action
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Keen interest in sustainability, climate change, and environmental issues a plus