Apparel Materials Developer

24 Seven is partnering with a global sportwear client based in Portland, Oregon to help them find an Apparel Materials Developer for this hybrid position working 4 days a week onsite. This is a full-time, 6 month contract with likelihood to extend. While on contract, you’d be eligible for benefits including medical, dental, vision, sick time, and more.

Ideal Candidate: will have a degree in textile engineering or a related field, brings at least 2+ years of material development experience, and is confident navigating IT tools- including internal databases, reporting systems, and early-stage 3D creation processes.

Role Overview:
As Apparel Materials Developer you are a key contributor in the apparel material development process by ensuring the availability of materials (fabrics, trims and prints), which support the strategic marketing & design direction to enable commercial success. You will find and/or develop the right materials according to calendar timelines, target prices, sourcing policy, and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary contact and consultant for all material-related inquiries.

• Lead cross-functional material discussions, guide material selection, and drive consolidation for efficiency.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external partners, including Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, and suppliers.

• Ensure accurate and up-to-date material data in internal systems (technical details, cost, toolbox, lifecycle).

• Identify suitable sources for new material development aligned with sourcing strategy and garment allocation.

• Collaborate with suppliers to translate design needs into innovative, commercially viable materials.

• Manage seasonal material developments and lead initial price negotiations with suppliers.

• Ensure all selected materials are tested and approved by Materials Quality per timelines and brand standards.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop a focused material toolbox and improve material efficiency.

• Drive continuous improvement by consolidating and verifying the materials library and promoting material sharing.

• Provide updated material trend insights to Business Units through research, stakeholder input, fairs, supplier meetings, and industry events.

Qualifications:

• College/ university degree or comparable degree/education in textile engineering or related field
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in material development or associated field
• Strong IT skills (e-mail, MS office), ability to work with internal material data base and reporting tool, preferably first experience in 3D creation process