Innovation Manager – Fashion for Good

Fashion for Good is the global initiative that’s here to make all fashion good. By sparking and scaling innovation, by offering practical action in the form of support, funding and roadmaps, and by fostering sector-wide collaboration rather than competition, we enable the daring invention and widespread adoption of good fashion practice. With an Innovation Hub in Amsterdam that supports a global network of change makers, we are reimagining how fashion is designed, made, worn and reused for the good of people and the planet.

Within a short time frame of less than 6 years, Fashion for Good has established itself as the go-to platform for sustainable fashion innovation on a global level. As we are entering our next phase of growth, we seek an Innovation Manager who will be leading part of Fashion for Good’s new 5 year strategy, focusing on how we can drive a shift from piloting to implementation. You will manage scouting, assessing and supporting sustainable technological innovations that will have an impact at scale in the global footwear and apparel supply chain. You will also be responsible for building relationships with brands, retailers and manufacturers in order to drive implementation at scale. The Innovation Manager will be part of the Fashion for Good innovation team reporting into the Innovation Director.

As part of this, the role is responsible for the following areas:

RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE

Build networks with brand and manufacturing partners, including their relevant supply chain partners to be able to best understand the challenges they face implementing innovations into their supply chain
Work closely with subject matter experts across the Innovation Platform to deepen knowledge and understanding of key focus areas including Materials, End of Use and Processing. Develop a deep understanding of the implementation challenges faced by the more mature innovators in each of these areas
Where relevant, act as Fashion for Good’s expert on this topic and maintain the dialogue with the relevant experts in Fashion for Good’s brand, retailing and manufacturing partners

DUE DILIGENCE

Follow Fashion for Good’s due diligence framework to assess FFG alumni, evaluating: technology readiness, market traction, impact, capacity, financial history and projections, liquidity / runway, business models and pricing with the goal to establish which innovators are on route to industrial implementation.
Where relevant, work with respective innovation leads to conduct due diligence
Maintain data and report on metrics regarding innovator scaling

ROADMAP TO SCALE & RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Work with FFG innovators to identify key areas of support / road maps to scale their innovations eg: fundraising, marketing, media & comms, technology validation, strategic supplier engagement
• Work closely with relevant FFG team members, brands, manufacturers and external stakeholders to orchestrate the actions needed to implement the roadmap
• Where relevant, work with innovation leads to drive technology validation projects/pilots that further validate innovators technologies
• Work with the Innovation Programme associate to run innovation intelligence sessions for innovators (eg: business model / legislation / grant funding workshops)
• Establish and manage relationships with key technology and research institutions around the world (e.g. academia, multi-stakeholder organisations, governments, incubators) to support the work above
• Work with the FFG communications team to build FFG’s presence as a thought leader in the area of sustainable innovation through producing social media content, attending events and contributing to publications
• Where relevant, represent Fashion for Good at industry conferences

TEAM LEADERSHIP & MILESTONE MANAGEMENT

• Where relevant, manage innovation associates/analysts/interns by guiding them in their screening and innovator support activities
• Be responsible for their personal development and training as well as bi-annual evaluation process
• Support the Innovation Platform Director with cross functional topics eg: Innovation Committee, Partner
• Strategy Day, FFG Symposium, Investment Committee

STRATEGY

• Demonstrate ability to think strategically and support key innovators with their roadmap to implementation (eg: identifying and connecting key suppliers, support with business models, impact, support with fundraising (reviewing investment decks, supporting external investors with due diligence etc.)
• Demonstration and tracking of KPIs; advancing key impact and progress visualisations (e.g. funnel, metrics dashboard)
• Best-practices and toolbox to further drive implementation (e.g. off-take agreements, innovator deep dives on business models, project financing etc.)
• Drive emerging thought-leadership opportunities
• Support on business development and partner retention through Innovation Platform strategy and new idea generation and execution
• The Innovation Manager plays a bridging function between FFG innovators, partners (brands, retailers and manufacturers), investors/financiers, and NGOs. This person is also responsible for building and maintaining an active innovator alumni network alongside the programme associate.

About you
QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal candidate has a relevant track record and combines strong interpersonal skills with a self-starting, proactive attitude. The following qualifications are essential:
• Disciplined and demonstrated project management, documentation, and execution,
• Demonstrated capacity to think multiple steps ahead with regards to project management
• Proactively identify opportunities for partner engagement in specific projects and pilots
• Strong analytical and research skills and ability to scope detailed projects
• Capacity to adapt to different settings, easily navigating different cultures and organisation settings
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to build strong interpersonal relationships and negotiate where needed
• Creative thinking with the ability for sound judgement and accountability
• Positivity, proactiveness, enthusiasm, can-do attitude, comfort in dealing with uncertainty
• Demonstrated experience managing individuals or a team
• Relevant work experience (4+ years) in e.g. management consulting, sustainability, the apparel or footwear industry – preferably with a supply chain connection, an entrepreneurial / start-up setting.

EDUCATION

Academic degree (Bachelor (HBO), MBA or Masters) preferably within business, economics, material science, chemistry or textile engineering. A Masters is preferred.

LANGUAGES

Proficiency in English is a requirement.

YOUR APPLICATION

Please submit your application, consisting of a short motivation letter and your CV, via the application link.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Apply for the job
Do you want to join our team as our new Innovation Manager? Then we’d love to hear about you!