Senior Fabric Specialist (Hybrid)

As a Senior Fabric Specialist on our General Merchandise & Apparel Product Development team, you will play a pivotal role in the research, development, and design of materials that drive our creative vision. Your expertise will be integral to the fabric development and color approval process, ensuring that our designs come to life with the highest quality materials. Collaborating closely with our designers, you will act as a strategic partner, contributing to the success of our overall design and development initiatives.

• Lead overall material development for knits, wovens, technical performance fabrics, andseasonal trend direction.
• Collaborate with Design to create materials that achieve specifics around product functionality (For example,motorcycle riding gear = abrasion, impact, waterproofing, wind-proofing, heating/cooling, breathable fabrics, and reflective material)
• Research and present emerging materials trends into seasonal palettes
• Partner with Design and Production to ensure the total fabric package is suitable for end use (meets both performance and aesthetic direction)
• Participate in sample review sessions to achieve the best product oversight.
• Create a collaborative and strategic partnership with fabric mills
• Review testing with the product team to ensure fabric quality meets end use requirement
• Develop and maintain a fabrics library with up-to-date materials, testing history, and inspirational fabrics.
• Continuously build advanced materials expertise and work to create a network of contacts within the industry.
• Evaluate the risks associated with all material developments and communicate them to the product teams.
• Manage and maintain color standards and libraries, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for all teams.
• Ensure color consistency across multiple product categories and styles while also considering the unique characteristics of each item.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure color accuracy in final products and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
  
  

Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Experience Requirements

• Typically requires 5 years of experience in fabric, materials, or textile design
• Comprehensive understanding of the textile manufacturing processes
• Understands leather and technical performing fabrics that can protect a motorcycle rider
• Fabric knowledge in abrasion, impact, waterproofing, windproof, heating/cooling, breathable fabrics, and reflective material
• Knowledge of appropriate textile testing methods, interpretation, and application of results.
• Knowledge of high-performance textiles and the functional aspects of performance apparel.

Preferred

• 2 - 3 years Color approval experience
• Superior rating on Farnsworth Munsell Visual Assessment Test