Sr. Manager, Fabric R&D - Performance & Intimates

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc. has always been about optimistic American style. Starting with our very first store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco, opened almost 50 years ago by Doris and Don Fisher. The thread that’s run through those five decades is the phenomenal people that make up our brand – our employees and our customers. People who are rooted in the legacy that makes Gap what it is, but who are also focused on the future. People who want to leave the world better than they found it.

We’ve built our brand on staying true to our roots while always being out in front of what’s next. If you want to be part of an iconic American brand, and help lead the way for where we’re headed, we’d love to have you join us.

About The Role

In this role, you will leverage consumer insights, mill strategies, and key trends to drive fabric development, innovation, costing, and positioning. You will drive a ‘Fabric First’ mentality and strategy throughout the product-to-market process. You will also provide direction and thought partnership to internal Athleta Brand Product Cross functional Teams, as well as the Mill Management and Quality teams based overseas.

Material Scope

Performance Knits: All Knit & Woven fabrics for our Train & Studio End Uses & Intimates.

What You'll Do

• Sound knowledge of concepts and procedures specific to R&D and a basic understanding of the procedures across cross functional teams within design, production, tech design, merchandising quality assurance, sustainability, and sourcing
• Strong experience with knit fabric constructions, dye techniques, finishes, and garment construction and manufacturing/sourcing processes and testing
• Strong mill partnerships - Proven ability to influence and make decisions with mills across geographies in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial
• Track Fabric development KPIs and brand discipline on number of seasonal developments
• Own fabric testing reporting and risk assessments on developments - level set quality, performance attributes and usage expectations to product cross functional team
• Partner with Product Development and Merchandising to ensure that fabrics are within the V/G/B/B pricing architecture
• Additional
• Ability to make detailed testing and spec comparisons when developing fabrics
• Identify fabric opportunities based on Brand Product Strategies and then develop within beautiful, technical and sustainable filters and cost parameters
• Ability to assess relatively complex development, quality and fit situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions
• Drive fabric process discipline throughout product to market calendar to ensure alignment at each key milestone from Mill Week to Fabric Alignment and Landing/SMRs
• Identify fabrics that need to be cost engineered and within leadtime and communicate with the Mill management team
• Build cross functional partnerships and consensus; influence strategy for your division and team

Who You Are

• Basic knowledge of Fibers, knitting/weaving and dye methods
• Team player and collaborate with others
• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Fiber or Material Science and 5-10 years of related experience
• Functional understanding of Softline material testing methods and standards related to performance knits
• Proven ability to influence and make decisions across geographies in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial
• Strong experience with fabric constructions, dye techniques, finishes, and garment construction and manufacturing/sourcing processes
• Ability to assess relatively complex situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; communicates in a clear and effective manner
• Proficient in MS Office, quick learner with new digital tools
• Sound knowledge of concepts and procedures specific to R&D and a basic understanding of the procedures across cross functional teams within design, production, tech design, merchandising quality assurance, sustainability, and sourcing

Benefits at Athleta

• Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
• One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
• Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
• Employee stock purchase plan.*
• Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
• For eligible employees
• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
• See more of the benefits we offer.

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

US Candidates Please note that effective, June 30, 2022, Gap Inc. will no longer require any of its employees to wear face masks or require proof of COVID vaccination, unless required by local or state/provincial mandates or as part of Gap Inc’s quarantine guidelines after being exposed to or testing positive for COVID. Therefore, please disregard any language in any job posting that refers to Gap Inc.’s face mask and proof of vaccination policy as said policy is no longer effective.