Sourcing Manager, Sustainable Materials & Textile Sourcing

The Sourcing Manager, Sustainable Materials & Textile Sourcing will leverage industry insights, mill strategies, key trends, and deep knowledge of sustainable fabric qualities and certifications to drive fabric development, innovation, costing, and positioning. In this role, you will drive a ‘Fabric First’ strategy and materials process discipline throughout the product-to-market process. You will also provide direction and thought partnership to Product Design, Merchandising, and Sourcing to ensure alignment at each key milestone throughout the Product to Market process and into sampling.

This is a new role in the organization that will be responsible for assisting in the formulation of policies, plans and programs in support of 2030 Sustainable Materials objectives. The focus of this role is the tactical application and execution of Sourcing plans to achieve stated goals. The Manager, Sustainable Fabric and Materials Sourcing will establish a physical and digital library of core and sustainable materials and will contribute their technical expertise at all stages of the product pipeline which includes fabric testing and in season bulk/color approvals/issues. The Manager will be responsible for maintaining calendar deadlines, development tracking, as well as the handling of daily communication with internal and external business partners.

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Sustainable Packaging and Materials Sourcing.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following. Others duties may be assigned:

• Understanding of finish techniques and the ability to offer sustainable alternatives to washing and dyeing process, as appropriate.
• Build and maintain a physical and PLM-based digital fabric and trims library; and develop tools to support the Product Development and Sourcing Managers that aid in costing simulations based on material selections.
• Analyze fabric needs across brands and categories; make recommendations to cross functional partners for leveraging qualities/platforming fabrics across Brands and Categories, taking into consideration and tracking all components of the fabric and wash resource library.
• Collaborate with Product Integrity team to ensure proposed materials meet all existing and foreseen Safety/Quality/Regulatory guidelines.
• Communicates daily with vendors and fabric suppliers to ensure fabrics are being developed, delivered, costed and produced appropriately as well as ensuring compliance with our quality standards.
• Attend material and industry shows, meeting regularly with suppliers, mills and factories to present innovative ideas. International travel required.
• Research, vet, and establish Mill relationships in new Sourcing markets. Implements a mill strategy outlining cost, consumption, global adoption requirements and utilization guidelines for Suppliers/Manufacturers. Maps and maintains updates on all Vendor-Mill Relationships to aid in traceability efforts. Create and maintains Fabric suppliers lists for all fabric categories.
• Research and develop fabrics, trims, print techniques, and washes with sustainable options for review with Design that work within aesthetic and cost parameters - application for Apparel, Accessories, Plush and Soft Home/Textiles. Create, research and develop core and specialty fabrics that optimize cost, consumption and application across categories and global business units.
• Facilitate roll-out of 2030 Materials goals by providing expertise to key GPC and Licensing partners related to material substitutions, potential limitations, etc.
• Review fabric submits and facilitate approvals in partnership with Product Design, Sourcing, and Brand Merchandising.
• Own seasonal and ongoing fabric development including the day-to-day of meeting and communicating with design, fabric mills, global sourcing and overseas offices.
• Build and maintain fabric, trim, yarn and wash libraries with core, novelty, and sustainable options. Enter & maintain material data library in the PLM system to include directional costing and MOQs.
• Knowledge of sustainable fabrics, provide subject matter expertise on processes and requirements of various Certifications.
• Working knowledge of all Global textiles regulatory requirements to ensure consistent adherence to all global technical and quality standards. Partner with Product Integrity to proactively assess risk. Reviews material testing reports for quality, dimensional stability, and content. Establishes and maintains fabric standards for all materials including partnering with Product Integrity on testing and evaluation protocols.
• Utilize technical expertise to translate Design intent; cost engineer fabrics within brand parameters.
• Liaise with design, sourcing, and vendors to problem-solve any technical issues that may arise from materials substitutions or new manufacturing techniques that further the 2030 materials goals.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit, adept in working in ambiguity and new start-up teams
• Highly collaborative, with ability to work across disciplines, sell in strategies, and drive to win-win solutions.
• Effective and influential communicator in written and verbal form; Ability to design compelling presentations.
• Use basic retail math needed to determine costs and margins.
• Proficiency in garment construction, marker optimization, pattern making and creating technical specifications.
• Ability to assess relatively complex situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiations, and team building skills.
• Strong knowledge of fabric construction and performance. Advanced technical skills and demonstrated understanding of fiber, yarn, fabric, knitting, washing, dying, finishing, testing and garment construction.
• 5-8 years of experience in fabric sourcing, textiles engineering or sustainability field. Apparel industry, product development, raw material, supply chain and product sustainability experience required.
• Production Manufacturing and product engineering, global trade regulations, global testing protocol, global product integrity, production cycle timeline, calendar management, fabric performance and garment/product construction.
• Have a sense of urgency in managing time and accomplishing tasks.
• Strong experience with fabric constructions, dye techniques, finishes, and garment construction and manufacturing/sourcing processes.
• Knowledge of and experience working with product sustainability standards and certifications including GOTS, Oeko-Tex, GRS, OCS and FSC.
• Proven ability to influence and make decisions across geographies in a matrixed environment.
• Domestic as well as overseas fabric sourcing and negotiating experience.
• Advanced MS Excel skills that can be used to combine and analyze data from various sources, and generate reports and graphics to help drive decision-making.
• Ability to inspire, think creatively and strategically and act tactically.
• Detail oriented with strong follow through; Organize and prioritize multiple projects.
• Create and maintain a cooperative team environment that promotes high performance standards and attainment of goals
• Ability to inspire, think creatively and strategically and act tactically.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA), Textile Engineering, Product Design or equivalent degree from four-year college or University; or 5-8 years’ of relevant experience.