Request for Proposals Sustainability Service Manager Contract

ECOM USA, LLC is the ECOM Group’s US-based cotton sourcing and merchandising entity ECOM USA, LLC is one of the leading handlers of US cotton and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

The company is active in sourcing, storing, selling and shipping from across the Cotton Belt to clients domestically and around the world.

ECOM USA offers a range of cotton including US Cotton Trust Protocol bales, GOTS-certified organic cotton, and Transitional Organic cotton certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The company was also an early adopter of Better Cotton and has supported the program for many years. In 2022, ECOM USA became the first cotton merchant to be certified regenagri®.

ECOM USA offers 3rd party verified and certified cotton that is 100% traceable from grower to mill. Verde by ECOM is the brand in which cotton handled in this program is marketed.

As of May 2024, ECOM USA is soliciting bids to perform contract work under the program Climate-Smart Cotton Through a Sustainable and Innovative Supply Chain Approach, award number NR233A750004G043.

This is a USDA-funded Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant program.

PLEASE ATTACH THE PROPOSALS TO THE COVER LETTER BOX IN YOUR APPLICATION

Program Contact

Attn : Courtney Hodges

[email protected]

Please upload your CV and upload your proposal using the cover letter upload box.

RFP Schedule of Events

Deadline for Proposals : Wednesday, June 19th, 2024

Questions regarding this project may be submitted by Bidders between the time of

posting and before 5PM CST on Friday, June 14th, 2024

Responses to questions submitted within the approved time frame above will be

answered within 3 business days.

Deadline for Selection of Preferred Services Provider : Friday, June 28th, 2024

ECOM USA reserves the right to close the application period early if 20 or more applications are received before the Deadline for Proposals provided above.

Contract Overview

To support the successful delivery of this program, ECOM USA is seeking to contract with a Sustainability Services Manager that has prior experience with U.

S. cotton production, industry sustainability certifications, and cotton sustainability projects and marketing initiatives.

The contract services provider will advance the achievement of project goals by supporting ECOM USA with the development of markets for Climate-Smart Cotton and sales-related activities.

The Sustainability Manager, Client Services and Marketing will lead efforts to market Verde by ECOM cotton to brands and retailers and coordinate among ECOM Cotton’s sustainable supply chain partners.

Verde by ECOM is the ECOM Cotton group’s offering of certified sustainable, traceable cotton, combined with support services and, in a growing number of projects, farm and climate data.

This role will ensure alignment in understanding of certification programs utilized, will help promote awareness and education as to Verde by ECOM oerings and act as a liaison between ECOM internal departments and producers, and mill clients and brands / retailers seeking supply chain documentation, information and data related to sustainability programs, traceability, and marketing.

Location : New York City area or Eastern United States preferred

Type : Contract

20 40 hours per week

Must be a registered U.S. entity or be able to register as a U.S. entity in time for the

project start date

Period of Performance : July 2024 to May 2028 or completion of project goals

Responsibilities

The selected services provider will fulfill the following services and requirements on behalf of ECOM USA for its USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant project :

Support the Trade team’s marketing of Verde program cotton to brands and retailers - particularly on the East Coast of the United States

Contribute to Verde program design and strategy refinement through feedback based on interactions with supply chain partners to ensure ongoing sales of Climate-Smart Cotton

Collaborate with the ECOM Group Marketing and Communications Department, 5 Loc Cotton, Arva Intelligence, Research Partners, value chain partners (mills, etc.

and industry publications to create and deliver Verde program informational materials

Coordinate among internal ECOM departments and relevant contacts at brands / retailers and mill clients to :

Coordinate supply chain mapping and due diligence initiatives

Communicate traceability and other requirements for participation

Ease the flow of information and documents related to chain-of-custody

and traceability documents, sustainability certifications and climate / environmental info; identify and resolve problems and provide support to partners and commercial teams

Help supply farm narratives, photos and storylines for use in marketing while respecting farmer data and privacy issues

Provide informational updates regarding the evolving regulatory environment

Attend industry events and give in-person and virtual presentations in order to support industry awareness of ECOM’s sustainable cotton projects

In coordination with ECOM commercial team, help organize farm visits and field tours where applicable

Coordinate and provide training for commercial teams regarding sustainable / traceable processes and evolving regulatory requirements

Requirements

5+ years experience in a similar role working with apparel / textile industry environmental and sustainability programs

An understanding of sales and export requirements associated with agricultural commodities in the context of international trade

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with additional language capabilities a plus

Experience with sustainability certifications and chain-of-custody of GOTS, BC, USCTP, regenagri or similar programs is a must

Thorough understanding of the apparel and textile industry

Understanding of Climate-Smart Cotton farming practices

Passionate about sustainability and committed to drive positive change in the

industry

Advanced capabilities in MS Office programs (such as Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Ability to analyze data in order to monitor for value chain compliance as well as make

recommendations for continuous improvement

Excellent organization, technical knowledge and problem-solving skills

Professional with an ability to represent the brand while engaging with external

stakeholders

Creative problem solver with a holistic results-oriented mindset

Some travel required

Proposal Format

Proposals responding to this Request for Proposals should not exceed 5 pages. Utilize the following outline in your proposal submission :

1. Introduction

2. Overview of relevant experience in relation to the Responsibilities and Requirements

set forth

3. Appendix with support documentation

Bidders are free to use their own format for the technical and financial aspects of the proposal. Ensure that all elements of the proposal are clear and well organized to ensure ease and timeliness of review.

Include clear examples of relevant work with redactions as needed for privacy and non-disclosure considerations.

Selection Criteria

ECOM is committed to conducting business in an ethical, legal, environmentally, and socially responsible manner. As a business, we always operate with honesty and integrity and strive to have good corporate governance that builds trust and engagement with our stakeholders.

The selected services provider will be expected to adhere to ECOM Group policies and codes that build a framework for our corporate responsibility.

Selection criteria for this request for proposals include but are not limited to :

Demonstrated ability to perform the services outlined

Demonstrated understanding of the required tasks

Prior experience in the cotton industry and / or relevant education

Compliance with RFP timelines

Cost eciency

Industry reputation

An individual applicant with a U.S.-based entity

Selection will be considered finalized once both parties have entered into a 3rd Party Services Agreement, which will be initiated by ECOM USA