Developer Materials- Domestic Embellishment and Decoration

About the position

The Material Developer (domestic) is to guide the capabilities of our new and existing components and embellishment suppliers through workflow optimization and expert knowledge, which spans everything from concept through constructing prototypes to bulk productivity. Develop and maintain an applied material portfolio to support our creative design team. This involves coordinating with the US and PCC teams to oversee the development, approvals, and production-ready status of all material in the designated product line, to deliver quality products in a timely & consistent manner domestically.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end material development process that enables and elevates innovation, productivity, efficiency, quality, and profitability all with the domestic face.
• Research and develop trends and innovation continuously by working closely with Product Development and PCC.
• Prepare data & material for trend presentation, present at kick off.
• Track developments by calendar due dates.
• Come up with seasonal updates to core materials, incorporating market and performance trend.
• Receive, send out cuttings & review submits of materials from suppliers to PCCs.
• Work cross functionally with design/merch for comments on submits.
• Work with PCC/suppliers to proactively solve testing issues and communicate with PI/CFT.
• Support necessary DEQ testing to designated product service model.
• Receive and review failed testing specimen with manager.
• Proactively identify risk & work on solutions to mitigate testing issues by researching new material/fibers/techniques, in partnership with Product Development.
• Monitor work in progress (WIP), create & maintain tracking and all Material-related record keeping, data input, and in/out parcel coordination.
• Update weekly information regarding approval/comments to CFT.
• Organize and maintain the material library & on-time seasonal tool-box, ensuring meets global standards.
• Create and maintain carryover & seasonal materials boards, publish as approved.
• Gather data for adoption ratio post buy & analyze for adoption ratio and department overview of material usage by channel, with suggested roadmap.
• Facilitate timely communication with internal and external parties between US offices & PCC.
• Compile weekly metrics & analysis to support material KPI’s.
• Partner with Material Manager/ Director to identify opportunities within the process to increase speed, efficiency & quality.
• Input report card metrics for on-time sample performance, quality & communicate with PCC on suggested action plans.
• Support SOP documentation, distribution, and training relevant to necessary process updates for internal & external partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in raw Textiles, Clothing Technology or manufacturing related field.
• 5+ years of experience and strong technical knowledge gained in retail/manufacturing environment covering all areas of textiles from fibers, yarn, material construction, finishes, printing and quality.
• Experience with performance fabrications preferred.
• History of established strong partnerships with fabric suppliers globally.
• Experience visiting mills & have a keen eye for quality, compliance, cost negotiations & process optimization.
• Understanding of AATCC and ASTM industry test methods.
• A team player with a good attitude, strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in product line management (PLM), databases, and MS Office applications.
• Must be detail-oriented, able to multitask, and punctual in meeting deadlines.
• Ability to juggle multiple deadlines and tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Willing and able to travel extensively, often to foreign and/or remote locations.
• Ability to communicate verbally and written in a clear, concise, tactful manner.

Nice-to-haves

• 3D development experience is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits tailored to each country in which we operate.