What Professional Profiles Are Sustainable Fashion Companies Looking For?

Nowadays, there are several roles in which you can start a sustainable career whithin the fashion industry. The genuine interest of consumers and producers over the social and environmental effects that exists is growing. So, there are specific roles that the companies are looking for and you can apply in order to make your dream job in fashion, ethical and conscious.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER 
Fashion could not exist without designers. They are one of the major pillars of the industry and what better way to give a greener twist to their work. Sustainable designers are fundamentally dedicated to create, market research, design, technical drawing, development of graphics and sample launches. But now we they can add sustainable and ethical standard aspects.

For the creation of incredible and innovative clothing, sustainable designers take into account recycled fabrics, environmentally friendly fibers, designs with better life cycle, pieces that last longer and are multifunctional. Likewise, their work is not only reflected in their designs but also in their tools, digitalization is a phenomenon that many sustainable designers use to avoid waste when creating their collections.

ETHICAL TRADE COORDINATOR 
With this role it may be possible for you to be part of the sales department of a sustainable brand. Trade coordinators work directly with buyers and suppliers. They are responsible for ensuring that basic human and labor rights are met as well as addressing challenges in the factories with partners and stakeholders.

Trade coordinators are usually the company's representative and direct resource for transparency in the value and supply chain. It creates a better visibility of the company and a mapping of its risk management. Undoubtedly, it is a fundamental part today for brands to achieve ethical requirements and the corresponding certificates, not only important in the fashion industry but for all other sectors. For example, applied to fashion, it is necessary to consider the limits that exist in each country in terms of carbon emissions for the apparel industry.

TEXTILE CHEMISTS
Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, are harmful for the envorinment. Therefore, fashion companies are now looking for textile experts to create environmental friendly products from raw materials. Textile chemists work with different fibers to create innovative and sustainable materials. By recycling, upcycling and zero-waste practices, chemists reduce the impact of the fashion industry.

In few words, they perform different experiments, where they discover reactions that later help them to create sustainable fabrics. Laboratory skills are a prerequisite for this position, since with this type of worker it is possible for companies to improve the clothing manufacturing process. As green chemistry is increasingly used worldwide to drive the circular economy in the fashion industry, the presence of chemists can reform the use of toxic substances in many sustainable fashion brands.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MANAGER
This position can be called the "conscience" of the company. In charge of creating synergy between each department or area of the bran, based on social strategies. Creating community and ethical work environment is one of the fundamental aspects that integrate the activities of the social responsibility manager. They also drive the company's development with regular sustainability monitoring.

The environmental element of the role is also kept in mind. Part of their job consists on analyzing the social and environmental impacts, identifying strengths and weaknesses and then working on them. It is essential to know the legislative context and existing regulations in order to make an accurate analysis of the company's CSR. It is possible that this position will generate campaigns to prevent garment disposal or something similar to create awareness in the consumers and workers.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT MANAGER 
Companies are now looking for people capable of controlling all the processes required to create a new product. A sustainable product manager is in charge of planning and executing different practices during the production cycle of a product. This is also about incorporating sustainability into the development of any product, for example, bags, shoes, accessories, etc.

The creation of green products is constant in this position in order to provide consumers social, economic and environmental benefits. This role consists of working with raw materials into their final disposal. Also part of the job is to identify and assess new product and materials innovation opportunities and supporting design, purchasing and sourcing with delivery of circular economy initiatives.