- Company Name
- DUER
- Job Title
- Raw Materials Developer
- Job Description
-
Job title: Raw Materials Developer
Role Summary
Lead fabric and material sourcing, development, and portfolio management for a high‑performance textile brand. Act as technical liaison between product, design, production, and operations to ensure new and existing materials meet performance, sustainability, and cost targets. Own end‑to‑end development from concept to manufacturing readiness, while driving process improvement and data‑driven decision making.
Expectations
- Deliver new material concepts and improvements within seasonal timelines.
- Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date system and database records.
- Build and sustain strong vendor relations and internal partnerships.
- Ensure QA, lab testing, and wear‑testing meet brand specifications and timelines.
- Negotiate costs to achieve target margins and align product pricing with fabrics.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical expertise to product team; develop innovative natural and engineered fibers, blends, and constructions.
- Anticipate development risks, propose solutions, and minimize sample/production delays.
- Own fabric development lifecycle: concept, lab sampling, testing, and factory rollout.
- Oversee QA testing labs, raw material wear tests, and data collection for decision making.
- Coordinate with design, production, factories, and suppliers to meet concept‑to‑PO deadlines.
- Manage official pass‑off to quality, development, and production teams.
- Support operations from purchase order through delivery as required.
- Partner with merchandising and design teams to align cost and pricing.
- Negotiate material costing, ensuring target cost and margin goals.
- Present new fabric and trim ideas via fabric shows and industry contacts.
- Continuously improve quality and innovate in fabrics and product compatibility.
Required Skills
- 8+ years textiles and development experience.
- Deep knowledge of natural, synthetic, and blended fibers, knit and woven constructions.
- Expertise in fabric sourcing, counter‑development, and vendor management.
- Strong project management skills; able to juggle competing priorities and meet calendars.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Detail oriented with data‑driven approach.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, especially with overseas partners.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and passion for problem solving.
- Ability to simplify, streamline, and improve processes.
Required Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in textiles, fiber science, or related field (equivalent qualifications acceptable).
- Relevant certifications in textile testing or sustainability (preferred).