Environmental Sustainability Senior Manager

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE AND BAND

For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, and competitions, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

WORK TYPE: Remote

LOCATION DETAILS: Individual must reside in the United States of America

WORK HOURS: Fulltime - Exempt

PAY DETAILS: USD $99,500 - $120,000 base salary

Pay rate will vary based on criteria such as education, experience and qualifications of the applicant, location, internal equity, and alignment with the market.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: Moderate travel is required, primarily to visit production facilities, suppliers, and external partners for sustainability audits and assessments. Some international travel may be required, with occasional overnight stays, depending on the location of production sites and supplier facilities.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Manager of Environmental Sustainability is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives across the company’s global operations. This role focuses on reducing the environmental impact of the manufacturing process, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving innovation in sustainability practices. The Manager will work closely with internal teams and external suppliers to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop and implement sustainability strategies to minimize the environmental impact of manufacturing operations.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental regulations and sustainability certifications, both domestically and internationally.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including Product Development, Manufacturing, and Sourcing, to integrate sustainable practices into product design and production processes.
• Oversee waste reduction initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and water conservation efforts at production facilities.
• Lead efforts to increase the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled or biodegradable textiles, and promote circularity in product lifecycles.
• Establish and monitor key sustainability metrics (KPIs) to track progress and report on environmental performance.
• Manage sustainability audits and assessments of suppliers, ensuring adherence to the company’s sustainability standards and goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance environmental performance and reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
• Serve as the company’s point of contact for sustainability-related matters, representing the company at industry events and in discussions with external stakeholders.
• Educate and train internal teams on sustainability initiatives and best practices.
• Stay current with global environmental regulations, trends, and best practices, recommending changes to policies and practices as needed.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to ensure sustainability goals align with broader quality and compliance objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong knowledge of environmental sustainability principles and regulations, particularly in the apparel or manufacturing industries.
• Experience with sustainability certifications (e.g., ISO 14001, Global Recycled Standard) and environmental management systems.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing sustainability initiatives in a global manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to collect, analyze, and report on environmental data.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously, with a focus on driving measurable improvements.
• Familiarity with sustainability-related technologies and innovations in energy, waste, and resource management.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in environmental sustainability, preferably in the apparel or manufacturing industry.
• Experience working with global supply chains and managing sustainability programs in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated leadership in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives
• ESG Program management a plus
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role is primarily sedentary (80%), with the majority of work being done remotely, including strategy development, data analysis, and virtual collaboration with internal teams and external partners. The remaining 20% involves on-site visits to production facilities for sustainability assessments and audits, which may include exposure to noise and fluctuating temperatures. Remote work requires access to a reliable home office setup, including standard office equipment such as a computer, phone, and video conferencing tools.

#LI-GT1

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.