Data Standards/ Taxonomy Manager

About Us

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit driving a positive impact on climate change across the fashion and textile industry. It guides a growing community of brands, manufacturers, and farmers towards more purposeful production from the very start of the supply chain.

By 2030, its goal is to guide the industry to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within fiber and raw material production. Its focus is holistic and interconnected, accelerating the adoption of practices that improve the state of our water, soil health, and biodiversity too.

For real change to happen, everyone needs a clear path to positive impact. That’s why Textile Exchange believes that approachable, step-by-step instruction paired with collective action can change the system to make preferred materials and fibers an accessible default, mobilizing leaders through attainable strategies, proven solutions, and a driven community.

At Textile Exchange, materials matter. To learn more, visit TextileExchange.org.

Working at Textile Exchange

We work remotely with a team located in 20+ countries. We are a diverse group committed to harnessing the strengths of the global textile industry to accelerate change toward climate and other key environmental goals. We work collaboratively on important environmental issues around the world by working and interacting with farming groups, processors, brands, retailers, and environmental experts in the textile and fashion industries around the world. We offer an opportunity to join a cutting-edge global environmental nonprofit and to help strengthen the impact of our organization. Each Textile Exchange employee is offered a competitive compensation package with paid time off, yearly bonus, opportunities for continuing education, and more.

Job Summary

The Data Standards / Taxonomy Manager is responsible for managing the development and adoption of glossary, data standards, taxonomies for Textile Exchange and the wider textile, apparel and footwear industry.

Textile Exchange is collecting, processing, storing, and reporting a huge and increasing amount of data. This includes, but is not limited to, data related to our standard and certification systems, global fiber and materials production, benchmarking of companies and standards, membership, and Climate+ impact data. To do so efficiently and to meaningfully harmonize various internal and external data sets, we want to expand our existing glossary, and data standards such as the Materials, Processes and Product Classification and the Geographic Classification.

Wherever possible, the data standards are built on standards that already exist within the textile, apparel, and footwear industry. They are developed together with various internal and external stakeholders. The aim is to publish the data standards as open-source documents so that they can be widely used within the textile industry.

Like all roles at Textile Exchange, the role will be home-based with some travel required. Candidates must be available to work across Asian, European and US time zones.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the development and governance of data standards, glossary, and taxonomies for the textile, apparel and footwear sector.

• Collaborate with and support internal departments to develop and adopt consistent definitions, taxonomies, classifications, coding, and data standard documentation.

• Research existing definitions, data standards and taxonomies in the textile, apparel, and footwear sector.

• Work with external stakeholders to harmonize and adopt data standards, glossary, and taxonomies

• Develop management systems and plans for the development and regular updating of the data standards.

• Guide the business in identifying and aligning applications and business processes that improve the usability of data standards and taxonomies.

• Collaborate with internal departments to define business logic that supports the data standards and taxonomy model.

• Develop training resources to educate internal departments on the benefits and use of data standards and taxonomies.

• Support the development of data standard and taxonomy planning and consumption.

Job Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5 years of experience in textiles / sustainability / data management / standards. Ideally proven experience at the intersection of all listed areas.

• Very good data management experience and skills.

• Deep understanding of textile supply chains, terms, definitions, classification, and taxonomies.

• Knowledge of Textile Exchange’s existing standard system, data standards such as the Materials, Processes and Product Classification and the Geographic Classification is a plus.

• Logical thinking and systematic approach to reduce complex topics to clear definitions, classifications and taxonomies.

• Project management experience.

• Proven ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

• Proven ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Able to work independently in a virtual workplace. Self-motivated and strong work ethic.

• Well-organized and able to manage multiple priorities and varying pressures to meet strict deadlines as needed.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English to provide clear and concise technical writing for the data standards and guidance, and to discuss complex technical topics with internal and external stakeholders.

• Proficient computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite, including strong skills in Microsoft Excel and the ability to quickly learn new systems.

• Willing to travel domestically and internationally for meetings and events when required.

• Ability to work across different time zones (within reason, it is not expected that you will work additional hours).

Employment Package

• Reports to: Data Intelligence, Senior Manager

• Full time position, 40 hours a week

• Location: Virtual / remote

• Salary range: USD 50,000 – 65,000

• Start date: As soon as possible

• Textile Exchange is currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits. Candidates need to have existing right to work in nominated working location.

• For Global Benefit packages (if applicable) please see FAQ: https://remote.com/preemployment-faq

How to Apply

Please submit the following here:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

If you have any pressing questions after completing your application, and meet the qualifications, please contact recruitment@textileexchange.org.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as they are submitted. Early application submission is strongly encouraged.

Textile Exchange is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.