Job description
Raw Materials Director Overview:
We are seeking a versatile, self-driven Raw Materials Director to join our team. The Raw Materials Director will fuel future growth and success by utilizing strong fabric knowledge and understanding of materials to execute the company vision. The ideal candidate is a textile expert with a proven record of leading fabric development from development through bulk production.
Raw Materials Director Responsibilities:
- Build and lead the raw materials team with a focus on knit fabric and trims to achieve on-time delivery and financial goals
- Act as the representative for the brand to develop and drive strategic relationships with the supplier base
- Create, communicate and regulate requirements to ensure product integrity, including testing standards and protocols
- Build sustainable and repeatable processes for managing raw materials and ensuring product integrity
- Expand the supplier matrix by sourcing and vetting new suppliers; find key growth partners
- Maintain close contact and synergy with the cross-functional team in order to execute plans and initiatives to meet and exceed financial targets while adhering to calendar deadlines
- Develop and drive systems to maintain product quality, product testing programs
- Help to develop a scalable raw material strategy that includes sourcing new raw materials and duplication of current fabrics
- Drive fabric innovation - keep the business up to date on relevant fiber, yarn, fabric, finishes that can add value
- Collaborate with design to understand seasonal brand direction and needs, vet prints and print methods
- Responsible for setting color standards and approving lab dips and bulk lots
- Responsible for managing and ordering seasonal sample yardage in adherence with the calendar
- Partner with production to build seasonal calendars that provide opportunities to shorten bulk lead time by prepositioning fabric and trim
- Organize and manage the physical and web-based fabric library
- Lead sustainability efforts as it relates to raw materials
- Strategize to optimize opportunities to shorten lead times and potential costs. Use negotiation to ensure the most competitive fabric prices.
- Efficiently and effectively problem solve complex raw materials issues as they relate to development and bulk (ie. Print execution, failing test reports, etc.)
Raw Materials Director Qualifications:
- 8+ years previous related work experience in the Raw Material field, ideally in intimates
- Technical knowledge of knit fabrics, elastics, print methods
- Deep knowledge of product development and production cycles and sourcing
- Strong background in developing and maintaining vendor/supplier relationships
- Resourceful and creative problem solver that creates solutions despite challenges and obstacles
- Collaborative spirit
- Highest level of personal and professional integrity and ethics
- Ability to maintain a global perspective and demonstrate cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Associates and/or Bachelor’s degree in textile development or textile science preferred
Expired job
