TM - Sustainability (Disclosure)

Job Context

The apparel industry is the second-largest polluting industry in the world, causing significant air and water pollution, hazardous chemical discharge, and exploitation of both human and natural resources within its supply chain.

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of sustainability, and stakeholder expectationsespecially from investorsare growing. As the largest fashion player in the industry, ABFRL has the responsibility to ensure sustainable products and processes through a transparent supply chain, aligned with ABG's sustainability vision. This is essential not only for environmental betterment but also to mitigate regulatory risks.

Major Business Challenges:

• Driving Sustainability Practices

  across a large and diverse supplier base (500+ suppliers), 9 manufacturing units, 3 business verticals, and over 1 lakh style codes.

• Increasing Awareness

  among stakeholders, overcoming the scarcity of sustainable raw materials, and addressing the high capital investment needed for sustainable technologies.

• Waste Management

  by ensuring there is no hazardous chemical or waste discharge during fragmented apparel manufacturing and processing.

• Sustainable Product Development

  in a market where consumers may be unwilling to pay a premium.

• Data Management

  across the supply chain to enhance traceability and transparency.

Key Result Areas and Supporting Actions

KRA 1: Sustainable Raw Materials

• Drive procurement of sustainable raw materials such as BCI, REEL program cotton, and recycled polyester.
• Track and monitor sustainable material uptake and progress.

KRA 2: Product Sustainability

• Compute product sustainability attributes regularly and communicate updates to all stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and development of new sustainable products.
• Publish brand sustainability dashboards and communicate regularly.
• Develop and implement product labeling, footprint tracking, and traceability frameworks.

KRA 3: Packaging Material

• Standardize and optimize packaging materials to reduce pollutants.
• Develop sustainable packaging alternatives.
• Validate new product packaging on a monthly and annual basis.

KRA 4: Chemical Management

• Implement Chemical Management Systems and conduct regular audits in denim washing, garment dyeing, and printing units.
• Eliminate or reduce MRSL & RSL as per targets.
• Ensure hazardous chemical input screening via the ZDHC Gateway.
• Evaluate technologies to eliminate restricted materials and support sustainable product creation.

KRA 5: Supply Chain Sustainability

• Drive sustainability initiatives across the supply chain.
• Develop a robust Supplier Sustainability Index (SSI) and communicate it regularly to key textile and garment partners.
• Implement the Higg Index and support efforts to reduce natural resource usage.

KRA 6: Circular Economy

• Implement circular economy initiatives including takeback programs and related circular projects.

Key Skills:

Sustainability, Climate Action Planning, Climate Change Science, Sustainability Initiatives, Sustainability Reporting, Sustainability Practices, Innovation and Creativity, Environment