Sr. Manager, Compliance & Sustainability

Overview: Senior Manager, Compliance and Sustainability supports Steven Madden, Ltd. supply chain sustainability initiatives. This position has a key role for driving responsible sourcing, environmental, and product compliance standards across the business. This role will support all compliance and sustainability initiatives and have oversight of product sustainability while ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and brand commitments. Key areas of focus include GRS and other third-party certifications, product testing and labeling compliance, and substantiation of sustainability claims.

Major Responsibilities:

Regulatory and Brand Compliance

• Develop and implement programs and policies to ensure that all Steve Madden business units are compliant with global, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements including Cal Prop 65, CPSIA, and all other regulations.
• Lead the development and implementation of corporate compliance policies related to product safety, restricted substances, and labeling regulations.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting product compliance and sustainability claims, advising internal teams accordingly.

GRS Brand Certification

• Lead the company’s certification strategy, including GRS, RCS, FSC, and other relevant third-party standards.
• Execute annual GRS brand audit to ensure compliance with GRS and other relevant sustainability certifications.
• Serve as the primary liaison with certification bodies and ensure timely submission of documentation, audits, and corrective actions.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all certified suppliers, facilities, and materials.
• Develop and maintain robust systems for tracking sustainable material usage, including certified input volumes, chain-of-custody documentation, and material transformation points.
• Support product teams and vendors with inquiries and general information on certifications and claims.
• Coordinate supplier onboarding and training for certification compliance and renewal.

Product Testing and Global Compliance

• Own end-to-end product testing workflows, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory, and company-specific standards.
• Partner with all cross-functional teams and suppliers to provide technical and regulatory advice.
• Manage the product compliance manual, corporate protocols, and the implementation of customer-required protocols.
• Monitor and track compliance results, ensuring corrective actions are documented and completed.
• Review and verify suggested care instructions.
• Disposition any test failures and work with vendor on product remediation.
• Communicate with labs and/or customer as required to resolve any testing discrepancies.
• Must maintain and stay current on adherence to the federal and state guidelines on product testing protocols.
• Maintain competitive pricing on product testing and lead pricing negotiations with the lab partners.
• Educate and assist vendors to navigate through the quality requirements and processes of our vast customer base.

Product Sustainability

• Ensure all sustainability-related product claims (e.g., recycled content, organic, biodegradable) are backed by verified data and third-party certifications.
• Conduct and approve packaging label reviews, ensuring all product labels accurately reflect environmental attributes and meet applicable certification or regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with product and production teams to review and verify sustainability credentials of raw materials, components, and packaging (e.g., recycled content, organic status, biodegradability).
• Maintain robust documentation systems to support traceability and audit readiness for all sustainability-related claims and inputs.

Supplier Engagement

• Establish clear expectations for suppliers related to compliance, certification, and sustainability practices.
• Lead internal and third-party audit processes, including those focused on GRS, labor practices, and environmental standards.
• Manage corrective action plans and track supplier performance over time.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Provide compliance and sustainability data for reporting, brand communications, and investor disclosures.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve the transparency, efficiency, and accuracy of compliance and sustainability operations.
• Track key metrics and KPIs to evaluate program performance and support data-driven decision-making.

Critical Skills:

• Self-motivated, independent, logical thinker with strong analytical, problem-solving abilities
• Commercial acumen and decisiveness
• Experience in managing product testing programs and certification audits
• Keen understanding of chemical/analytical testing, manufacturing processes, laboratory test methodology, ratings analysis as well as industry and consumer tolerances
• Commitment to and passion for quality, product safety and compliance
• Strong attention to detail and follow up

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• At least 7 years’ experience in product testing or supply chain compliance role, preferably in consumer goods or apparel industries.
• Proven experience managing GRS, RCS, GOTS, FSC, or equivalent certification programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of certifications, product testing, compliance legislation, and global standards.
• Strong project management, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience researching, evaluating, interpreting, developing, maintaining, and communicating standards
• Established relationships with 3rd party testing labs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $100,000 - $120,000. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time-off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.