Sustainability Program Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

The Breakdown:

The Sustainability Coordinator advances Burton's work across chemistry, climate, and product reporting. This role is a custodian of Burton's chemistry, product and supply chain environmental data and helps translate that data into testing programs and external reporting. This role exists to keep Burton's responsible chemistry program running reliably, to maintain the accuracy of the emissions data behind Burton's climate commitments, and to deliver the certifications, audits, and reporting that substantiate Burton's product claims to certifying bodies and wholesale partners. Reporting to the Product Sustainability Manager and working with global teams, the Coordinator blends technical skill, strong attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration to help ensure Burton's products, operations, and supply chain meet strict sustainability standards. Burton's sustainability team is small and highly collaborative, so this role also offers real exposure to projects across the wider sustainability portfolio and room to grow into new areas over time.

What You Get to Do:  

• Conduct seasonal risk-based material testing across all product categories, including verification testing that upholds Burton's PFAS-free commitment. Maintain working knowledge of Burton's restricted substances lists (bluesign, AFIRM) to reduce chemical risk to workers, customers, communities, and the environment.
• Conduct research and analysis on materials chemistry and supplier chemical management practices to inform continuous improvement and Burton's responsible chemistry strategy.
• Partner with Burton's Compliance Analyst where product chemistry and regulatory compliance intersect, supplying chemical, material, and testing data to support compliance reporting.
• Collect and validate Burton Facility Environmental data (Energy, Water, Waste) and partner with regional operations managers to maintain data integrity
• Administer Tier 1 and Tier 2 Chemical Management programs including supplier-facing resources, training, and factory onboarding. Contribute to strategies for worker and community health and safety, covering occupational health, waste, pollution, and emissions, to raise standards across Burton's manufacturing base.
• Support the Senior Supply Chain Social Impact Lead to collect and analyze Higg FEM reporting with suppliers
• Support the Product Sustainability Manager, who owns Burton's product certification portfolio (including bluesign, Forest Stewardship Council, Leather Working Group, and Responsible Down Standard), by compiling and submitting documentation for certification and recertification.
• Complete recurring sustainability reporting and questionnaires for key wholesale accounts, including Zalando and REI, partnering with Sales, Merchandising, and Product teams to align submissions with seasonal go-to-market timelines and position Burton favorably in retailer sustainability programs. 

What You'll Bring to The Team:

• Required
  • 2 - 4 years of experience in sustainability, product quality, environmental health and safety, or a closely related field (ideally within apparel, footwear, outdoor, or consumer products)
  • Relevant education, training, or experience in environmental science, chemistry, or sustainability
  • Demonstrated experience managing detailed data sets and delivering accurate reporting against recurring deadlines.
• Preferred
  • Familiarity with restricted substances lists and chemical management frameworks (bluesign, AFIRM, ZDHC) and with material testing protocols.
  • Exposure to chemical management practices in Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturing environments.
  • Experience working directly with external partners such as suppliers, third-party labs, auditors, or certifying bodies.
  • Working knowledge of greenhouse gas accounting across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, and experience with a carbon accounting platform such as Watershed.
  • Experience with certification or audit frameworks such as Higg FEM, B Corp, FSC, or RDS.
  • Experience completing retailer or customer sustainability questionnaires and scorecards.
  • Experience collaborating with colleagues and partners across time zones and cultures.

Core Capabilities That Would Help You Succeed in This Role: 

• Exceptional attention to detail, with the discipline to keep large, technical data sets accurate.
• Strong data fluency: comfortable working in Excel and reporting platforms, and able to spot and resolve inconsistencies.
• Ability to translate technical chemistry and emissions information into clear guidance for non-technical partners across Product, Sourcing, Sales, and Marketing.
• Manages complexity: comfortable supporting many concurrent recurring cycles, seasonal testing, certification renewals, audits, and retailer reporting, without letting deadlines slip.
• Collaborates and influences without decision-making authority, building trust with suppliers and internal teams to move standards forward.
• Nimble learning and curiosity: the standards, frameworks, and expectations in this space shift constantly, and this role stays ahead of them.
• Instills trust through integrity with data and claims, including the judgment to escalate rather than overstate when evidence is incomplete.
• Appetite to stretch into unfamiliar areas as the sustainability team’s priorities evolve.

How Your Success Will Be Measured:

• Completion of seasonal material testing on schedule, and conformance rates against Burton’s restricted substances lists.
• Maintenance of Burton's PFAS-free status across new materials and suppliers.
• Supplier participation in and performance improvement across Tier 1 and Tier 2 chemical management programs.
• Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of inputs to carbon measurement.
• Timely, complete, and accurate submission of certification documentation and audit materials.
• On-time, accurate delivery of wholesale account sustainability reporting.
• Progress against Burton’s broader climate and product sustainability goals.
• Strength of cross-functional and supplier partnerships.

Work / Physical Environment: 

• This position is in a typical, stationary office setting. Over 80% of the day will be spent sitting in one location. 
• Occasional time in warehouse, manufacturing, or lab environments may require safety training and personal protective equipment.
• Commitments: Salaried, Exempt, Year-Round.

More Info to Seal the Deal:

Burton’s benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending account, company paid life insurance, company paid short- and long-term disability insurance, great parental benefits, k plan with company match, and paid time-off. Other perks include a discounted season pass, lesson reimbursement program, product discounts, free demo equipment, company ride days, casual work environment, and many more!

This is a full-time salaried role, based at our headquarters in Burlington, Vermont and will be required to be on site at least 4 days per week. We will offer relocation assistance to move to Vermont to any candidate who is hired. The hiring range for this role is $60,000-$75-000, depending on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, and available budget. Please note that the range details above reflect the base pay only and does not include any potential bonus and other benefits that we offer.