ABOUT TAI APPAREL: • Apparel manufacturer with US-based Design/Sales teams, and China and Guatemala-based Development/Production teams driving a fast fashion speed to market business model. • Specialize in knit and woven apparel • Design team specializes in trend, fabric, technical spec/fit, sketches, fit approvals, CADs, graphics, art separations and art strike offs.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Materials Manager is responsible for fabric sourcing, evaluating fabric costs, fabric approvals, working with our internal design teams on newness and emerging fabric trends and overall, ensuring fabric libraries and tracking methods are maintained and organized consistently. They will need to adhere to internal and customer calendars, understand deadlines, and be willing to find creative solutions to cost or quality challenges. They will also be responsible for ensuring the correct fabrics and qualities are used in sampling and production.
SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES: • Passionate about the apparel industry & fabrics • Possesses a strong design aesthetic and eye for emerging trends • Ability to deliver under tight deadlines • Knowledgeable in fashion & trend • Knowledgeable in fabric development • Quick and eager to learn • Driven to innovate and execute • Self-motivated with a collaborative attitude • Positive, Drama-free • Operates well within feedback culture and strives to develop in role • Passionate about driving fabric newness and innovation • Open to flexible hours to allow for communication with overseas partners • Detail-oriented and customer-driven attitude • Self-starter & problem-solving oriented
TECHNICAL ABILITY: • Proficient in Excel, Word, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator • Generally, technology savvy • Extensive knowledge of fabrics, washes/treatments • Experience in developing fabrics and/or background in fabric engineering • Previous experience in PLM systems is preferred, but not required
RESPONSIBILITIES: • Lineplan Review • Critically review the request and needs from the merchandising teams. Use provided information to drive conversations with design and guide future development • Start new development or sourcing independently • Work with costing team to ensure fabric costs work within total garment cost • Learn and understand historical fabric costs Sketch Review • Come prepared with fabric proposals to internal design reviews. Ensure preferred and back-up options are cost viable. Be prepared to speak to functionality of certain fabrics within certain garments • Understand and be able to speak to cost saving options in fabrication, yarn or wash • Consistently check-in with design on current cycle development. Ensure fabric needs are met and there are no surprise requests late in development cycle
Development • Work with the Product Developer and Sample manager to ensure all sample request details from fabric perspective are accurate (no questions or issues for sample rooms) • Ensure cost sheets, CADs, sample sheet fabric information and codes are all correct - data validation and correction • Sample yardage & Fabric tracker sheets are consistently updated and accurate for code, weight, content, color, approval status, location Pre-Production • Attend pre-order and pre-production team meetings to ensure that fabric details are correct and handed-off to the correct teams and factories • Attend recurring team meetings, costing meetings, design meetings, etc.
Misc/Ongoing Projects • Manage all new fabric developments with suppliers and internal teams - ensure new fabrics are being coded and used for samples / fabrics still under development are monitored • Work through core fabric standard approval with new suppliers - ensure production can quickly and easily move between suppliers or differing countries of origin • Trim development - branded, license, qualities. Inclusive of trims such as buttons, zippers, snaps, cords, etc. • Research newness in fabric technology, trend, innovation • Present a bi-yearly assortment of fabric newness to the design team • Manage fabric stock with factories