Position Title: Sr. Manager, Raw Materials, R&D
Reporting to: Director, Materials Innovation & Sourcing
Summary
The Senior Manager, Raw Materials R&D leads the technical research and development engine behind the brand's fabric and materials innovation strategy. This role owns the science, testing, and execution that turn a concept — a new fiber blend, finish, treatment, or performance technology — into a viable, production-ready material. This person operates at the intersection of textile science, sustainability, and manufacturing feasibility, always mindful of established pricing matrices and price-point targets, running structured R&D projects from early-stage exploration through mill trials, testing, and hand-off to seasonal development. This is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring deep material science expertise, rigorous experimentation discipline, original creative instinct, and the ability to translate ambiguous creative or performance briefs into concrete, testable material solutions — while also originating new finish, wash, dye, and treatment concepts of their own.
Technical Research & Development
Lead structured R&D projects for new fabrics, fibers, finishes, dyes, washes, and treatments, from concept through feasibility, prototyping, and validation.
Partner with the Director to translate innovation priorities and trend direction into defined R&D briefs, technical specifications, and project timelines.
Bring an original point of view to finish, wash, dye, and treatment development — proactively proposing novel effects, techniques, and material concepts rather than only executing pre-defined briefs.
Launch and manage the seasonal lab dip process — submitting, reviewing, and approving color development from mills to ensure accuracy, consistency, and on-time readiness ahead of bulk production.
Develop new core fabric bases — foundational, reusable fabrics that anchor seasonal collections across multiple lines — balancing innovation against cost and price-point targets.
Conduct hands-on experimentation with mills and technical partners on new fiber blends, sustainable substrates, performance technologies, and novel construction or finishing techniques.
Evaluate emerging material technologies (bio-based fibers, recycled/regenerated inputs, low-impact dyeing and finishing, smart/performance textiles) for feasibility, cost, and brand fit, flagging price-point implications early so Design and the Director can weigh in before a concept advances.
Maintain a pipeline of active R&D projects at varying stages of maturity, prioritizing based on innovation value, commercial viability, and calendar readiness.
Document R&D findings, technical learnings, and trial outcomes to build institutional knowledge and inform future development.
Testing, Quality & Compliance
Own execution of material testing protocols (performance, physical, chemical, and regulatory compliance) in partnership with internal quality and external labs.
Define testing requirements for new materials based on end-use application, risk profile, and product category.
Troubleshoot performance, quality, or compliance failures during development and drive corrective action with mills and suppliers, applying aesthetic judgment on hand-feel, color, and texture outcomes alongside pass/fail test data.
Ensure new materials meet brand quality standards and regulatory requirements before hand-off to seasonal development and production.
Mill & Supplier Technical Partnership
Build and manage hands-on technical relationships with mills, converters, and treatment/finishing partners to execute R&D trials.
Travel to mills, fabric fairs, and trend shows to source new technical capabilities, vet supplier R&D capacity, and stay current on manufacturing innovation, as well as to scout aesthetic and trend inspiration that can feed new ideas into the R&D pipeline.
Assess supplier technical capabilities and constraints, providing feasibility input that shapes what the Director…