Operations & Sustainability Manager
Lead operations & sustainability at We Make Good, a social enterprise expanding ethical textile manufacturing, training, and circular economy solutions.
About We Make Good
We Make Good is a social enterprise based in Dublin, Ireland, creating sustainable employment for people from marginalised backgrounds. We run a textile manufacturing workshop and deliver design-led products and services that put people and planet first. Our work reduces waste, supports circular business models, and helps Irish companies and communities move towards a fairer, greener future.
We Make Good collaborates with corporate partners, designers, and funders to show that business can be a powerful tool for social and environmental change. We are entering an exciting new chapter: launching Ireland's first professional textile repair training programme, expanding a national B2B repair service, and scaling up our fashion CMT manufacturing operations.
We are seeking an experienced Operations & Sustainability Manager with strong business, financial and organisational skills to help drive this next stage of growth.
Words to describe you
You are strategic, organised and resourceful. You bring a background in fashion CMT or textile manufacturing, giving you a practical understanding of production environments and the dynamics of this sector. You are just as comfortable managing budgets and cash flow as you are supporting staff from marginalised backgrounds. You thrive on building strong relationships with partners, funders, and clients, and you're motivated by delivering real social and environmental impact. You're kind and collaborative, but also commercially sharp and focused on results.
Words to describe us
We believe in doing business differently – with fairness, humour, and heart. We're committed to quality, impact, and showing how circular economy solutions can be scaled while supporting people who need it most. We are ambitious and our strategic direction is towards being one of the largest ethical textile social enterprises in Europe.
We Make Good is inspired by the Teal model of organisations (as developed by Frederic Laloux). This means we aim to work in a non-hierarchical, collaborative way, where decision-making is distributed, and each person takes responsibility for their area while supporting the collective goals. As part of the senior team, you will be expected to contribute openly, share leadership, and work flexibly across roles to help the organisation achieve its mission.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Compliance
1. Support the Textile Room Manager with day-to-day workshop operations, including resource planning, supplier management, materials purchasing, and problem solving.
2. Ensure compliance with funder requirements, reporting, health & safety and social enterprise standards.
3. Prepare and submit funder reports (CSP/Rethink and others) and manage audits.
4. Help ensure production targets are met and efficient systems are in place across the textile room and training programmes.
5. Oversee responsible person managing the building day-to-day running.
6. Manage stock room member of staff.
Business & Financial Management
7. Oversee organisational budgets, financial reporting and forecasting (with support from the finance team).
8. Develop sustainable business models and ensure financial resilience of the enterprise.
9. Lead on pricing, proposals, and financial planning for new contracts and projects.
10. Monitor KPIs and report on impact, growth, and financial performance.
11. Monthly reconciliations.
HR & Staff Support
12. Recruit, onboard, and support staff, including employees from marginalised backgrounds.
13. Manage HR administration, contracts, appraisals, and supervision.
14. Work with our key worker to ensure staff supports are in place and advocacy needs are met.
15. Maintain a positive, inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
16. Co-ordinating social and well-being supports when required (support is provided for this aspect of the role).
Programme & Project Management
17. Oversee the delivery of our new professional textile repair training programme, ensuring targets, timelines and budgets are met in collaboration with the senior team.
18. Contribute to the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of organisational strategy and impact.
19. Manage critical paths, schedules and contracts for new projects and services.
20. Build and implement efficient systems across the organisation.
Sustainability & Impact
21. Lead and monitor We Make Good's sustainability strategy, embedding environmental and social goals across operations.
22. Track and report on key impact metrics (e.g. waste diversion, repair outputs, carbon savings) for funders, partners, and the Board.
23. Ensure sourcing and production align with circular economy principles and ethical standards.
24. Stay informed on sustainability and policy developments, identifying opportunities for innovation and partnerships.
Stakeholder Engagement, Business Development & Strategy
25. Build and maintain relationships with key funders, clients, community organisations, and industry partners.
26. Develop new income streams and partnerships in alignment with our social & circular mission.
27. Support the CEO with strategy, governance, and external engagement.
28. Acting as spokesperson alongside team members on behalf of WMG.
29. Contribute to marketing strategy and operations.
Personal Requirements
30. Minimum of 3–5 years' experience in operations, business or programme management.
31. Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, cash flow and financial reporting.
32. Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, partnerships, or business development.
33. HR and people management experience.
34. Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
35. Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with confidence presenting to funders, partners, and boards.
36. Ability to work flexibly, manage multiple priorities and remain calm under pressure.
37. Passion for social justice, equality, and sustainability.
Desired
38. Knowledge of social enterprise, training delivery, or circular economy is an advantage.
39. Experience in garment construction CMT
40. People management with diverse or marginalised teams.
Reports to:
The CEO
Location:
24 Mountjoy Square East, Dublin 1
Hours & Pay
41. Full time: 39 hours
42. Hybrid - 4 days on-site, 1-day WFH
43. Salary: €40,000–€46,000 depending on experience
44. Bonus paid once agreed commercial targets are achieved.