Senior Material Developer

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Materials Developer to develop and source technical materials. You will be responsible for sourcing high-quality fabrics, managing the development process, optimizing fabric assortments, and ensuring that fabrics meet; cost, production location, quality and technical specifications.

**Your responsibilities**

Sourcing & Supplier Management:

- Focus sourcing activities to identify and secure fabric suppliers that meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with fabric suppliers globally to optimize technical attributes, quality assurance, production country and correct pricing.
- Continuously evaluate supplier performance and collaborate with suppliers to resolve any issues related to fabric developments.

Fabric Development & Technical Specifications:

- Oversee the development of new fabrics in line with product requirements, ensuring adherence to technical specifications and cost targets for Inline collections and SMUs.
- Collaborate with design and production teams to develop fabrics that meet both aesthetic and functional needs for various product categories.
- Manage the technical aspects of fabric development, including testing for durability, shrinkage, colorfastness, and other performance criteria outlined in our Quality Standard.
- Ensure that fabric developments align with brand and product strategies according to allocation, quality and price needs.

Fabric Assortment Optimization:

- Work closely with fabric suppliers to optimize the fabric assortment to meet seasonal and production demands.
- Regularly review and refine the fabric assortment to align with market trends, customer preferences, and cost efficiency.
- Ensure that the fabric portfolio remains competitive and innovative, driving new opportunities for product development.

Fabric Category Management:

- Drive the strategic direction for key fabric categories, identifying opportunities for growth, cost savings, and quality improvements.
- Analyze market trends and emerging têxtile technologies to drive innovation within the fabric categories
- Support the tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) for fabric performance, such as cost and quality.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

- Ensure that all fabrics meet established quality standards and are compliant with company, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
- Oversee the testing of fabrics to ensure they meet performance standards and specifications.
- Collaborate with the quality control team to address any issues with fabric quality during production and identify corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Collaborate with the design, production, and development teams to ensure fabric requirements are met in line with product development and production timelines.
- Provide technical support and guidance to the design and product development teams regarding fabric properties, suitability, and performance.
- Work closely with the CSR team to ensure that environmental targets are met.

Cost Management & Optimization:

- Manage fabric sourcing budgets and ensure that fabric costs align with financial targets.
- Look for counter sourcing opportunities for cost harmonization.

Market Analysis & Trend Forecasting:

- Stay up to date on the latest trends in fabric development, têxtile technologies, and industry innovations.
- Monitor and analyze fabric market trends and competitor offerings to ensure our fabric assortment remains competitive and relevant.

**Your profile**
- Textile Engineering Degree
- Education in buying or sourcing would be desirable
- 7-10 years of professional experience in fabric development, technical fabric and sourcing
- Experience with European and Asian suppliers
- Experiences in garment and têxtile as well as innovation experience with têxtile suppliers would be an advantage
- Preferably already worked for a brand that develops materials
- Deep technical knowledge in knit and woven fabrics would be desirable
- Creative and analytical personality with a result orientated mindset
- Collaborative Teamplayer with an organized way of working
- Fluent in English
- Strong knowledge in MS Office and PLM

Expected Start Date: 2025/05/01