Job Title

Main Purpose: The Social & Environmental Responsibility (SER) Specialist supports the Head of Sustainability, India in ensuring that Bata’s supply base upholds the Bata Supplier Code of Conduct and meets all applicable labour, health & safety, and environmental requirements. The role conducts on‑site and desktop assessments, drives corrective actions to closure, and builds supplier capability in partnership with Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Global Sustainability. A key expectation is to help suppliers advance from basic compliance toward a stronger due‑diligence model grounded in self‑verification, traceable evidence, and proactive risk management. Core Accountabilities: - Audit & Assessment - Plan and conduct social and environmental responsibility assessments across Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, verifying alignment with the Bata Supplier Code of Conduct, local regulations, and relevant industry standards (e.g., SLCP, Higg FSLM, SA8000). - Carry out worker interviews, review contracts, time and pay records, age/ID documents, grievance logs, and EHS documentation, and complete comprehensive facility walkthroughs. - Assess homeworker and subcontracting risks where applicable. - Prepare clear assessment reports with ratings, supporting evidence, and prioritized non‑conformities (critical/major/minor). - Support Bata’s shift toward a due‑diligence and self‑verification model by evaluating supplier readiness to maintain accurate, traceable compliance evidence. - Corrective Actions & Continuous Improvement - Co‑develop Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) with suppliers, establish realistic timelines, and verify closure through evidence reviews and on‑site or remote follow‑ups. - Identify and track recurring systemic risks (e.g., overtime, wage compliance, freedom of association, contractor management, dormitory/canteen conditions) and escalate critical issues immediately. - Strengthen supplier capability to adopt self‑assessment and due‑diligence practices that reduce reliance on external audits over time. - Capability Building - Deliver targeted training to suppliers and internal teams on working‑hours and wage management, grievance mechanisms, responsible recruitment, anti‑harassment/discipline, and foundational EHS topics. - Support supplier onboarding and re‑qualification through risk screening, documentation review, and improvement roadmaps. - Equip suppliers with the knowledge and tools required for credible self‑verification and data‑integrity management. - Data, Reporting & Governance - Maintain accurate assessment schedules, findings, CAP progress, and risk flags in the compliance system. - Produce monthly dashboards and updates for India Leadership and Global Sustainability. - Support external verifications and ensure consistent reporting aligned with global templates, governance cadence, and sustainability metrics. - Guide suppliers in improving documentation quality, traceability, and record‑keeping aligned with due‑diligence requirements. - Cross‑Functional Partnership - Collaborate with Sourcing, Quality, and Manufacturing to sequence assessments efficiently and minimize disruption to production operations. - Provide insights for vendor selection, consolidation, and capability‑building priorities. - Coordinate with EHS teams where worker‑safety or environmental topics intersect with social‑compliance requirements. - Reinforce due‑diligence and self‑verification expectations across cross‑functional teams to support long‑term supplier performance and risk reduction. Resource Accountabilities Financial (Direct and Indirect) People (FTE – Direct and Indirect) 1-3 Field Staff Other Measures (e.g. Revenue/Equipment/Property) Key Relationships: - Sourcing Teams - Quality Teams - External Vendors (Tier 1 & 2) - Product Development Teams - In‑House Manufacturing, Retail, Distribution Centres/Warehouses & Office Teams - Other related Senior Management Roles Desired Skills & Experience: - 2 -4 years of experience in social compliance, environmental responsibility, EHS, or responsible sourcing, preferably within footwear, apparel, or manufacturing‑driven supply chains. - Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Business, Environmental Studies, or a related field. - Experience conducting social compliance audits and familiarity with standards such as SLCP, Higg FSLM, SA8000, BSCI, or SMETA. - Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with suppliers and internal partners. - Solid proficiency in MS Dynamics or Microsoft 365 tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, Power BI) for documentation, workflow management, and reporting. - Ability to work independently while managing multiple supplier engagements, with up to 50% in‑field travel. - Hands‑on, proactive, and detail‑oriented, with a strong sense of ownership. Competencies: - Integrity & Confidentiality- handles sensitive worker and supplier data with discretion. - Attention to Detail & Judgement- weighs evidence, distinguishes symptoms vs. root causes, and prioritizes critical risks. - Influence without Authority- guides suppliers toward sustainable improvements while balancing rigor with practicality. - Problem Solving & Follow‑through- drives CAP closures on time; escalates blockers early. - Cultural Awareness & Inclusion - builds trust across diverse supplier contexts.