Head of Sustainability

at  Marimekko

Marimekko is a Finnish lifestyle design company renowned for its original prints and colors. The company’s product portfolio includes high-quality clothing, bags and accessories as well as home décor items ranging from textiles to tableware. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. In 2023, the company’s net sales totaled EUR 174 million and comparable operating profit margin was 18.4 percent. Globally, there are roughly 170 Marimekko stores, and online store serves customers in 38 countries. The key markets are Northern Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and North America. The Group employs about 470 people. The company’s share is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com
We are looking for an experienced and visionary sustainability leader to join our Business Development & Transformation Team. In this role, you will lead a team of sustainability specialists. You will have an overall ownership of implementing our current sustainability strategy and lead the work to update our strategic priorities in this area going forward.
You will collaborate across teams to lead a cross-functional sustainability journey and related internal processes. You will partner with our supply chain organization, communications and marketing teams as well as our design and product development teams. Additionally, you have a key role in fostering a culture of sustainability through ongoing internal communications and education.
In this role you are the leading expert in sustainability in Marimekko. You will define strategic sustainability targets and lead the follow-up. Your deep understanding of sustainability and its commercial value brings value to the organization.
This is a full-time and permanent position in which you will report to the Chief Business Development Officer. The role will be ideally based at the Marimekko headquarters in Helsinki. Stockholm and Copenhagen can be also considered as a base for the role (requires some commuting to Helsinki).

• Lead and develop a team of three sustainability experts
• Lead Marimekko’s sustainability strategy work and sustainability target setting
• Follow-up of the progress in sustainability journey
• Support Marimekko’s different functions in their sustainability initiatives, related e.g. to greenhouse gas emission reduction
• Ensure and advance both social and environmental responsibility in our supply chain
• Lead the development of Marimekko’s due diligence system related to human rights, social responsibility and environment, and development of Marimekko’s approach towards full product transparency.
• Follow up the development of sustainability related legislation and drive related development projects to ensure compliance
• Lead the develop of Marimekko’s environmental impact measurement and reporting
• Manage sustainability reporting together with Communications and your team
• Support communications and marketing teams in sustainability communications

In order to succeed in the role, you:

• have at least 10 years’ experience in the field of sustainability management and have led a team of sustainability experts with a proven track record of leadership excellence – ideally within an international consumer/retail/brand company
• have strategic orientation, but are not afraid to also roll-up your sleeves and work on an operational level on daily basis beside your team
• have strong project management skills and development mindset
• have experience and knowledge both from social responsibility and environmental sustainability topics (including CO2 measurement)
• ideally have industry and relevant material knowledge (especially related to textiles)
• have a strong skillset in influencing and communications. Your presentation skills are top of the class, and you enjoy working on complex presentation materials
• have strong analytical skills (incl. Excel) with ability to present data and insights effectively and to meet the requirements of new sustainability reporting
• can make things happen in good spirit by inspiring and getting everyone on board
• can perform well under pressure and you understand the need for flexibility in a global role
• have a relevant Master’s degree

We value a diverse workforce – Marimekko’s culture and working environment are founded on equality, inclusion, and cherishing diversity. At Marimekko we encourage people to be themselves. We believe in fairness and doing things together, using common sense and finding joy in our work. If you connect with these values and have the right background, we will offer you a unique opportunity to work in an exciting international business environment with an iconic Finnish brand.
To apply, please send your application in English, including your CV and cover letter with salary expectations via our career site https://company.marimekko.com/careers. We would love to hear from you as soon as possible, but no later than Monday 28th of October 2024.
For more information about the role, please contact Riika Wikberg, Chief Business Development Officer (+358 9 758 71) on Mon 21st of Oct at 15.30-17.00, on Wed 23rd of Oct at 9-11 or on Friday 25th of Oct at 10.30-12 Helsinki time.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Marimekko’s culture and working environment are founded on equality, inclusion and cherishing diversity. Marimekko welcomes and encourages everyone regardless of their national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion or other personal characteristic to apply. Recruitment is always based on business need, and the candidates are evaluated on relevant knowledge, skills and experience as well as motivation.
Marimekko is ranked as the 3rd Most Attractive Employer in Finland amongst business professionals according to Universum’s ranking. Marimekko is also the 4th most attractive employer in Finland amongst business students