Corporate Social Responsibility Officer

Burberry is a luxury brand with a distinctive British sensibility, strong international recognition and differentiating brand values that resonate across a multi-generational and dual-gender audience. The Company designs and sources apparel and accessories distributing through a diversified network of retail, wholesale and licensing channels worldwide.

Since its founding in England in 1856, Burberry has been synonymous with quality, innovation and style. Burberry owns its own factories in Castleford, north England producing the iconic Trench-coat, and New Jersey, USA. Burberry sources from approximately 60% Italian suppliers, as well as from some European suppliers, and some limited sourcing from China, HK, Macao, and Asia.

The Burberry CSR Officer(s), Licensee will work with some Burberry Japanese licensees suppliers in Asia (mostly China) on CSR compliance. This CSR Officer will preferably be based out of the Burberry Asia office in Hong Kong as part of the Burberry CSR team. The CSR Officer will report to the Burberry CSR Manager Asia daily, and also weekly to the Burberry CSR Manager global in London and licensee manager(s) in Tokyo and Hong Kong. A Shanghai base may be possible for the right candidate.

The role requires engagement with London, China, HK and Tokyo. As such, it is challenging, yet an opportunity to engage with and learn from global players in a fast-changing business, and a chance to make a real difference in increasing understanding across cultures, and generating continuous improvement in working conditions for workers, and environmental management.

Primary Responsibilities/AccountabilitiesAssessment and Engagement:

• Work with Burberry CSR, sourcing, IP, legal and other relevant teams, licensee, agent, supplier, facility contacts, CSR trainer/consultants and NGOs, and other brand buyers to visit factories and monitor and assess conditions, and drive continuous improvement in compliance, conditions, and environmental management    
• Track and book as needed audits by monitoring firms, or undertake audits (if trained to). -Contribute to development of continuous improvement in monitoring practices by monitoring firms    
• Track, analyse, assess and report on results from visits and audits of facilities    
• Track, monitor, drive and assure paperwork as required by policy and tracking of new and existing suppliers    
• Facilitate regular engagement meetings with Suppliers/Facilities and report to Burberry CSR Managers and licensee management    
• Work with external consultants, NGOs, brands, the licensee and agents, and other relevant parties to assess, develop and drive factory participation in useful management and/or worker training or consulting programs    
• Present the business case for CSR and explain the CSR engagement programme process and requirements during licensee and supplier meetings. Contribute to improvement of the process    
• Work collaboratively with the licensee to communicate the CSR program expectations and understand direction of their business and its relation to CSR programme direction    
• Partner with Burberry teams in developing the ongoing improvement of the CSR partnership with the licensee    
• Work with CSR Manager Asia, licensees, consultants and other partners to design and deliver CSR Update Meetings for Far East Suppliers and Facilities as needed Effectively respond to questions regarding Burberrys CSR programme if relevant

Research and Analysis:

• Participate with Burberry CSR Managers in developing further mutually beneficial industry partnerships to facilitate shared learning, support CSR programme goals for brand, suppliers and workers, and benchmark best practices    
• Use benchmarking and research skills to identify and communicate risks and challenges that can affect the brand    
• Report weekly both detailed tracking of status, and strategic long-term CSR industry and programme trends, direction, risk and solution ideas to Burberry CSR Manager Asia

Supplier and Facility data tracking:

• Maintain licensee supplier partner records in the database, and coordinate with Burberry London CSR team on shared supplier tracking    
• Provide regular database and progress update reports for Burberry CSR team reporting and to the licensee business    
• Partner with internal and licensee teams to collect Annual Compliance Agreements from supply chain partners in Asia    
• Undertake all other CSR responsibilities as agreed in partnership with Burberry CSR Manager Asia and the licensee

Position RequirementsRequirements:

• 4-year University or Higher Educational degree    
• Hong Kong based (Shanghai or Guangdong based can be considered)    
• Strong English verbal and written communication skills    
• Bi-lingual in both Cantonese and Mandarin    
• Japanese language skills would be extremely useful.

At least 2 years minimum of related work experience in any of the following areas:

• Monitoring, CSR, or EHS consulting companies    
• Brand/MNC CSR or compliance team    
• NGO or non-profit working on worker rights, environmental, or related issues in Asia    
• Manufacturing, agent or production, management of facility workplace -- preferably in the apparel or fashion industry    
• Asia work experience (preferably China)

Useful (but not required) skills:

• Any experience working with Japan or Japanese firms or organizations    
• Experience using multiple languages    
• Personal passion to learn more about CSR (supply chain compliance), develop solutions, and deliver CSR results    
• Trained Social Auditor (SA8000 or equivalent)

Required personal skills:

• Strong self-confidence necessary to interact with levels of Senior Management    
• Ability to facilitate meetings with internal and external contacts    
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to analyze and interpret data, and prepare reports and recommendations based on a high volume of data    
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information    
• Proven analytical skills; strong understanding of technology; problem-solver    
• Able to handle fast-paced environment and tight deadlines    
• Ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment and undertake basic translation if needed    
• Comfortable and enjoy engaging with workers, management, owners and agents of supplier factories (in Chinese)    
• Computer Skills: MS word, MS PowerPoint, MS excel, Internet-research

Travel required:

• Frequent travel (most weeks) to China will be required (mostly Guangdong)    
• Some travel to Shanghai-area, north China, Japan, and other countries may also be required

Equal Opportunities Employment

Burberry operates an equal opportunities policy in the recruitment process. Decisions on recruitment, training, promotion and career development are based solely on justifiable objectives and job related criteria. The employer seeks to provide the climate and resources that will enable all employees to advance on merit as far as their talents, efforts, and skills will take them, without regard to age, colour, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

To Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to Kate Larsen, Burberry CSR Manager Asia, by email.

Due to time constraints, not all applications will necessarily be replied to; please accept these apologies in advance. But all will be considered.