Specialist, Apparel and Accessories Standards

KEY JOB DESCRIPTION
Under close supervision of Senior Specialist, the Specialist, Product Stewardship – Apparel & Accessories Standards Setting supports the development, maintenance, and implementation ofperformancestandards fortheApparel and Accessoriesproduct categories. The role learns from informationcontinuouslygathered from Product Stewardship Testing Services, Product Safety, andGlobalProduct Stewardship teams, and works closely with brands to incorporateperformancestandards and updates into brand-specific testingmanuals. The role partners closely with the Senior Specialist to support training and education for vendors, suppliers, factories, in-house laboratories, andnominatedthird-party laboratories on VF brand-specificperformancestandards and use of the testing platform. The role also supports updates tocross-functionalend-to-end processes, DACI, and SOPs related toperformancestandards, testing, retests, and testing platform usage. In addition, the role supportsproficiencytesting, evaluates the effectiveness of certified in-house laboratories, and helpsmaintainthe in-house laboratory certification program.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Standards Setting and BrandPerformance TestingManual Support

• Support the development, maintenance, and updating of Apparel and Accessoriesperformancestandards, requirements, and supporting guidance documents.

• Gather and organize information, trends, and recurring issuesidentifiedthroughout the year by Product Stewardship Testing Services, Product Safety,Quality Management, Voice of ConsumerdataandGlobalProduct Stewardship teams.

• Work closely with brands to help incorporate approvedperformancestandards and updates into brandtestingmanuals and related execution documents.

• Support communication of standards changes to internal and external stakeholders using established processes and guidance.

Training, Education, and Stakeholder Support

• Work closely with the Senior Specialistsupporttraining and education for vendors, suppliers, factories, in-house laboratories, andnominatedthird-party laboratories on VF brand-specific performancestandards and requirements.

• Provide clear technical information and practical guidance to support understanding and execution ofperformancestandards.

• Help prepare training materials, examples, and recurring issue summaries for stakeholder education.

• Support the development and update of training materials, user guidance, and reference documents related toperformancestandards, testing requirements, testing platform use, and retest procedures.

• Support training for vendors, suppliers, factories, and in-house laboratories on the end-to-end testing process and effective use of the testing platform, including testing requests, results review, and related workflow requirements.

Laboratory Program and Proficiency Testing Support

• Supportproficiencytesting activities for in-house laboratories and third-party laboratories in line with established program requirements.

• Help evaluate the effectiveness and ongoing performance of certified in-house laboratories using defined criteria, records, and results.

• Maintain documentation and follow-up actions that support the in-house laboratory certification program and re-certification cycle.

Testing and Standards Coordination Support

• Support review of testing observations, laboratory feedback, and standards-related issues toidentifyrecurring themes for continuous improvement.

• Coordinate with internal teams and laboratory partners to support consistent execution ofperformancestandards and testing requirements.

• Support the review, update, and maintenance of end-to-end processes, DACI, and SOPs related to standards, testing, use of the testing platform, retests, and associated governance requirements.

Standard OperatingProcedures, End-to-end process and DACI updates

• Help update SOPs and related supporting documents forperformancestandards implementation, test request workflows, test result review, retest handling, and other key testing platform processes.

• Support clarification and maintenance of DACI and end-to-end process documentation to ensure roles, responsibilities, decision points, and escalation paths are clearly defined and communicated.

• Escalate non-routine issues, gaps, or risks to the Senior Specialist or Senior Manager as needed.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Timeliness and accuracy ofperformancestandardsupdateand supporting documentation.

• Quality and completeness of information gathered from testing services, product safety, and product stewardship teams to supportperformancestandards updates.

• Timeliness and quality of support provided for incorporation of standards into brand manuals.

• Training support coverage and stakeholder understanding of VF brand standards.

• Stakeholder adoption and understanding of testing platform use, end-to-end processes, DACI, and SOP requirements.

• Timely completion ofproficiencytesting support activities and follow-up actions.

• Accuracy and completeness of in-house laboratory certification records and program documentation.

• Timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of updates to end-to-end processes, DACI, and SOP documentation.

• Timely escalation and closure support for standards-related issues and laboratory program gaps.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Technical and Professional Expertise

• Working knowledge of apparel and accessoriesperformancestandards, material and product testing, and laboratory practices gained through education and/or relevant experience.

• Understanding ofproduct stewardship, product safety, and regulatory compliance principles relevant to Apparel and Accessories.

• Ability to organize technical information and translate standards into clear guidance and training support materials.

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with brands, vendors, suppliers, factories, and laboratory partners.

Analytical and Problem-Solving

• Addresses recurring issues through fact finding, clarification, and basic analysis within established standards, procedures, and guidance.

• Determinesappropriate actionsbased on defined processes and escalates non-routine issues when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Material Science, Textiles, Product Compliance, ora relatedfield.

• Equivalent experience in asubstantially similarindustry may be considered in lieu of a degree, based on the requirements of the role and hiring manager criteria.

• One to two years of relevant experience in standards setting support, testing, quality, product stewardship, product safety, regulatory compliance, or a related field is preferred.

• Experience working with brands, vendors, suppliers, factories, or laboratories is preferred.