Product Compliance Specialist

At the crossroads of fashion and sport, Lacoste creates and liberates movement. Both universal and timeless, the brand transcends cultures and generations, elevating the crocodile as a rallying sign. An iconic French brand present in nearly 100 countries, Lacoste stands out for its unique know-how in each of its areas of expertise, from garment factory to omnichannel distribution.

At Lacoste, elegance goes beyond style. This elegance guides all of its actions and its social and environmental commitments. Working at Lacoste is belonging to a community of 8,500 employees on the move to build the future. Committed to making equal opportunities a reality and to revealing potential, the company brings together talents from all walks of life, embracing their differences.

Lacoste is one of the inspiring brands driven by passionate people within the MF Brands Group, alongside Aigle, Gant and Tecnifibre ( https://mf-brands.com/ ). Role Overview: The Product Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring that, each season, all finished products and components comply with Lacoste’s Global Testing Requirements and Restricted Substances List (RSL) throughout the entire product lifecycle, from the development stage through production.

Purpose: Preserve the company’s integrity by making sure it complies to regulations, consumer expectations and brand arguments with a preventive focus. Scope: TESTING , PRODUCT PERFORMANCE, PRODUCT SAFETY, LABELLING, CERTIFICATIONS. Main activities: Assess products seasonally through the Risk Assessment Tool to identify potential compliance risks and ensure preventive and corrective actions are implemented with vendors prior to production start.

Manage and monitor testing plans during the development stage, ensuring successful completion of the OK Garment Compliance Stage and timely updates in PLM. Manage and control testing plans during the production stage to ensure compliance with Lacoste Global Requirements, including Regulatory, Performance, Oritain, Safety, and Durability protocols.

Manage non-compliance and failure protocols with vendors, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are defined, implemented, and closed to achieve compliance. Ensure data accuracy, reliability, and consistency in accordance with Lacoste requirements and internal standards. Ensure vendors maintain valid certifications according to product and material requirements, and provide support to vendors in progress toward obtaining or renewing required certifications within the defined timelines.

Ensure test reports and related certifications are properly uploaded, recorded, and maintained in Lacoste information systems, including PLM, Logility, Excel trackers, Regulatory Portal, and other applicable platforms. Provide regular compliance status reports and updates to management in accordance with agreed reporting requirements and timelines.

Provide technical guidance and recommendations to Development Teams and vendors regarding required adjustments to ensure compliance with Product Performance, Certifications, Labeling, and any other requirements that may impact the brand. Ensure Development Teams and vendors are aligned with applicable labeling requirements and standards.

Develop and maintain documentation, guidelines, and supporting materials to strengthen knowledge sharing across Lacoste teams and vendors. Collaborate cross-functionally with relevant departments to monitor the implementation and enforcement of applicable standards, regulations, and compliance requirements. Support and participate in Product Compliance projects and initiatives implemented throughout the year.

Facilitate Product Compliance onboarding sessions for vendors and internal stakeholders when required. Provide training to vendors on Product Compliance requirements, processes, tools, and standards.

Professional background: Degree in Industrial, Textile Engineering, Chemistry or related fields. 5+ years of experience in textile companies, preferably in trade companies and at least 2 years in a similar position. Skills & Competences: Self-management, accountability & resilience Analytical thinking & problem-solving Effective and assertive communication Teamwork & cross-functional collaboration Proactivity, adaptability & learning agility Project management & innovation mindset Technical skills: Textile & Apparel /Lab industry background Desirable knowledge of international Certifications, such as GOTS, BCI, RWS, GRS, Blue Sign, ISO 9001, ISO 17025, Oeko-Tex, etc Desirable knowledge of AFIRM, AATCC, ASTM, ISO testing standards.

Desirable knowledge or experience on Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing or any management of improvement tools.

Requirements

Fluent in English and Spanish Desirable French or Portuguese At Lacoste, we are committed to making equal opportunities a reality. Inherited from our unique vision of fashion-sport, equal opportunities move us forward and our recruitment methods follow this commitment by focusing on skills and embracing all types of talents.

We commit to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where elegance goes beyond style and where each of us is given the chance to fulfill our greatest potential