Environmental Specialist

The Foreign Trade Association (FTA) is the leading association of European and International commerce that promotes the values of free and sustainable trade. We bring together representatives of hundreds of retailers, importers, brands and national associations to improve the political and legal framework for trade in a sustainable way. Our members reflect the diversity of the retail sector in terms of consumer goods, turnover and country of origin.

The Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) is a business-driven service provided by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) for retailers, importers and brands committed to improving environmental performance in supplying factories and farms worldwide. BEPI provides a practical framework that can support all product sectors in all countries to reduce their environmental impact, business risks and costs through improved environmental practices. 

Please visit BEPI at: http://www.bepi-intl.org/ for additional information.

The role

You are motivated by improving environmental performance in global supply chains. You are interested in being part of a growing cross-sector and collaborative service in the heart of Europe.  As BEPI grows we are looking to add the role of an Environmental Specialist to the BEPI team.

The role will include developing the content of the tool which will be used to enable factories to a better environmental performance at producer level based on recommended improvements brought forward through the BEPI system. This role will have to be able to demonstrate the business value of improving supply chain environmental performance based on technical evidence. This role will work in close collaboration with our European/International membership and stakeholders, to promote and support BEPI activities. Further responsibilities will include reviewing and analysing environmental data, regulations and standards as well as globally accepted reporting methods. This role will be directly reporting to the Managing Director BEPI.

Responsibilities

Environment Performance

• Develop our production-level environmental performance knowledge base in key sourcing markets (primarily Asia) and product sectors (i.e. textiles, footwear, food and beverages).
• Analyse and monitor ing  of supply chain's environmental performance data at producer level.
• Develop, introduce/roll out and communicate industry-relevant KPIs and benchmarking to our members and stakeholders.
• Provide technical evidence to support the communication of the added value of sustainable supply chain management.
• Reviewing existing initiatives and reporting standards at European and international level (i.e. chemical, energy, water and waste) to ensure that BEPI responds to relevant environmental legislation.

Promotion and Support

• Support our European-based members with the implementation of BEPI to achieve successful environmental performance improvements in their supply chains.
• Deliver BEPI trainings and (workshops) to members and producers to promote the use of BEPI.
• Support engagement activities with FTA members and stakeholders.
• Coordinate and facilitate BEPI meetings and working groups in Europe and internationally.

Your skills:

• Experience on the production's environmental impacts of FMCG, textiles, electronics etc.
• Environmental experience within consumer goods, retailers and/or supply chains.
• Good technical and analytical skills on environmental issues.
• MSc level education in science, chemistry, engineering, or a related field.

Essential:

• At least 5 years professional experience in environmental systems and issues.
• Good understanding of business and retailing.
• Excellent written and presentation skills.
• Team player ability to fit well into a multi-cultural team
• Fluent in English, additional languages are an asset.

What we offer:

• An international environment with interesting and challenging field of activities.
• Belgian employment contract with an attractive benefit scheme.
• The position is located in Brussels but will require some travelling

Please send your cover letter and CV to:  veronique.debroux@fta-intl.org
Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.