Material Developer, Apparel

Your Job:

As the Materials Developer at Brooks, you play an integral part in the seasonal material development process, utilizing product and process knowledge. You will work with a cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations.

You will work with a cross-functional product creation team to collect insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations. You must have knowledge across different material and trim constructions and processes involved in development, including engineering wrap, wefts, and wovens. Knowledge in raw material properties, testing, and costing is also a must. Other critical responsibilities include understanding manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem-solving, and timely resolution. You will be responsible for partnering with the Materials team to initiate ideas around material and trim development opportunities that will improve product performance, product value, and communicate improvements across product teams.

Partner on material and trim development from concept brief through commercialization and production, ensuring alignment with seasonal milestones and product objectives.

Manage workload according to the seasonal material development calendar and contribute to development process execution and continuous improvement.

Collaborate with Product Line Management, Design, Development, and cross-functional partners to define and deliver materials, trims, performance attributes, features, and benefits that support seasonal product objectives.

Collaborate with the Apparel Development team to evaluate material and trim prototypes, wear-test issues, and review milestones throughout the development process.

Support the Materials team with special projects, off-calendar initiatives, and future strategic goals.

Apply knowledge of material specifications, construction, identification, and industry testing standards to support development decisions that optimize product performance, quality, consumer experience, and cost targets.

Manage material and trim documentation in Flex system data, ensuring FDS (Fabric Detail Sheet), TDS (Trim Detail Sheet), Test Reports, and approval information are accurate, complete, and current throughout the development process.

Maintain an organized material and trim reference library, including approved materials, technical specifications, and approval records.

Partner with mills and suppliers to support seasonal costing objectives and material development strategies.

Partner with materials testing teams to ensure materials and trims meet performance requirements and commercialization standards within seasonal timelines.

Collaborate with Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility partners to support alignment between material development activities and long-term sustainability goals.

Maintain strong working relationships with material and trim suppliers to support development, quality, testing, innovation, and seasonal calendar commitments.

Identify and evaluate emerging materials, trims, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities, partnering with suppliers and the Materials team to translate opportunities into commercial applications that support brand and product goals.

Participate in domestic and international supplier visits, development trips, and tradeshows to support material innovation and supplier partnerships.

Coordinate vendor visits, supplier meetings, and tradeshow appointments for the Materials Team.

Track, coordinate, ship, and receive domestic and international material and trim shipments in a timely manner to support development and commercialization timelines.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, development processes, team effectiveness, and speed-to-market.

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design or related field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)

5+ years of experience in engineering, troubleshooting, and testing performance knits and wovens

Deep understanding and proven success working textile testing methods, a range of material constructions, and material processes

Proficient in PLM systems to build, support, and maintain digital material library

Computer proficiency with office software; MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Illustrator

Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group to meet strategic objectives

Effective project management skills and experience, including the ability to articulate goals and objectives, manage projects independently, and the ability to network and utilize internal and external resources

Keen attention to detail in planning, organizing, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another

Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written

Advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders

Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products, or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots”

Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. With the ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details

Demonstrated ability to develop highly positive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, resulting in effective working relationships across the company

Embraces and lives the Brooks values!