Material Specialist Jobs

Company Description

Headquartered in Southern California, Skechers has spent 30 years helping men, women and kids everywhere look and feel good. Developing comfort technologies is at the foundation of all that we do—delivering stylish, innovative, and quality products at a reasonable price. From our diverse footwear offering to a growing range of apparel and accessories, Skechers is a complete lifestyle brand.

With international business representing over half of our total sales, we have product available in more than 180 countries and significant opportunities for continued expansion worldwide. We sell our collections direct to consumers through more than 4,450 Skechers stores around the globe and Skechers e-commerce sites, as well as through a network of third-party partners.

A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR GLOBAL LEADER IN THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY.

As the Apparel Material Specialist you will assist in the creation of materials across all Apparel categories balancing developments by prioritizing price, physical properties, source and aesthetic. Special focus on knits and performance fabrics. You will assist the team in all aspects of development, tracking and timely commercialization. As a member of the materials team you will apply your knowledge to anticipate potential problems, facilitate problem solving, manage project execution and meet deadlines. You will monitor and track material development projects to ensure commercialization within stated timelines. In partnership with the Apparel Testing team, you will ensure all materials are tested and meet physical, compliance and aesthetic standards. This role is highly collaborative with material teams in global offices and internal Design and Merchandising teams.

Essential Job Results-

• Communicate to and educate cross functional teams and vendors to ensure ongoing changes are understood.
• Build and maintain good relationships with the key mills, and business partners and ensures smooth, efficient and effective communications with all cross functional partners.
• Maintain "core" trim information
• Works with the Product Creation Team to define the needs of any new sources, based on the brand strategy, price/quality objectives, and new/innovative fabrics.
• Working with design and merchandising partners present seasonal fabric trend forecast and recommend new fabrications that align with the Brand Strategy and pricing/quality objectives.
• Maintain fabric information specification sheets and quality hangars for all active fabrics.
• Proactively recommend solutions for quality issues
• Enter timely and accurate data on PLM.
• Analyze historic fabric data to help influence the strategy for the seasonal fabric toolbox. Drive business efficiencies on fabric developments and maintain a balanced fabric portfolio of carryover versus new fabrications.
• Own and maintain up-to-date materials library and work continuously on its improvement and innovation.
• Partner with testing and materials team to ensure information is accurately maintained in our testing portal, Flex PLM, and material development tracker.
• Is responsible for the development, maintenance, accuracy and communication of the fabric tracker sheets from concept to adoption.

Supervisory Responsibilities-

• No

Qualifications

JOB REQUIREMENTS-

• Strong organizational skills and ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Relevant Testing Knowledge in Apparel Manufacturing
• Analytical/Problem Solver
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced work environment
• Computer proficiency; Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook), PLM (Product Life Management) system.
• Strong communication skills- verbally and written High attention to detail and excellent follow through
• Ability to multi-task under tight deadlines and a self-starter
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in a team environment

Education And Experience-

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in the Apparel Industry

Additional Information

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The skills, abilities and physical demands described are representative of those duties that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified for the job position, to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS-

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel. The employee is occasionally required to sit for long period of times.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Pay range for this position is $90,000 - $110,000 / year.

Benefits

• Onsite wellness programs at company headquarters including fitness classes, acupuncture, and chiropractor.
• Extensive medical, dental, and vision plans with multiple carries, including EPO, HPN and PPO plans.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal and holiday time.
• Paid Parental Leave: including time for fathers and adopting parents.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Savings Account (FSA) offerings.
• Employee product discount of 50%; employee sample sales and family and friends discount throughout the year.
• Competitive 401k plan and employer matching.
• Short term & long term disability and life insurance at no cost to the employee.
• Pet Insurance available.
• Skechers Company Culture and growth strategy is deeply infused with internal career growth and opportunities for learning.
• Employee stock purchase program