Sourcing and Sustainability Manager (Volunteer)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, creative expression, and housing initiatives, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive. Thread & Promise, MAP’s fashion and creative initiative, merges artistry with purpose by transforming stories of resilience into sustainable design. Each garment and accessory reflects a commitment to ethical craftsmanship, social responsibility, and environmental consciousness.

About the role

This volunteer position oversees sourcing and sustainability strategy for Thread & Promise, ensuring that creative production aligns with values of transparency, equity, and environmental stewardship. The Sourcing & Sustainability Manager will bridge design and production, identifying and partnering with ethical factories, sustainable mills, and vendors to source fabrics, trims, and materials that reflect both quality and conscience.

Responsibilities

• Identify and partner with ethical factories, sustainable mills, and vendors for fabric and material sourcing
• Research and evaluate eco-friendly, recycled, or upcycled materials suitable for Thread & Promise designs
• Collaborate with the design and product development teams to ensure materials align with creative vision, budget, and sustainability standards
• Manage vendor communications, quotes, and lead times to support timely production cycles
• Maintain a materials library and sourcing database for internal reference and transparency
• Support due diligence in vendor compliance (labor rights, certifications, and sustainability audits)
• Provide insight into sustainable packaging, labeling, and lifecycle impact reduction
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to document sustainability stories for campaigns and educational content
• Check and respond to emails daily, ensuring all responses are completed within 48 hours
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by identifying new sourcing opportunities and improving vendor efficiency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability, or related field
• 2–5 years of experience in sourcing, production, or sustainability within the fashion industry
• Deep understanding of sustainable materials, ethical manufacturing standards, and compliance processes
• Experience working with domestic or international vendors and factory partners
• Strong negotiation, organizational, and communication skills
• Familiarity with certifications such as Fair Trade, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or B-Corp a plus
• Commitment to ethical fashion, environmental justice, and community empowerment

Commitment

• Volunteer position requiring approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Remote with opportunities for collaboration or site visits in New York City

What You’ll Gain

• Direct experience in ethical sourcing and sustainability strategy for a purpose-driven fashion brand
• Opportunities to develop supplier relationships and shape sustainable product pipelines
• Collaboration with creative, production, and advocacy teams committed to impact design
• Mentorship, professional references, and portfolio experience in social-impact fashion
• The fulfillment of transforming ethical fashion principles into tangible, global impact