Sr. Manager, Material Development

Responsibilities

• Material Development & Strategy
• Own the end-to-end material development roadmap, from seasonal concept ideation through bulk production approval.
• Define and elevate the Fabletics materials aesthetic - establishing a high taste level and clear point of view across knits, wovens, and performance fabrics.
• Lead direct mill and vendor partnerships globally, optimizing cost and quality; negotiate pricing and lead times with mills and suppliers. Ensure all quality meets our standards.
• Translate design intent into manufacturable, performance-driven, and commercially viable material solutions; embed material milestones into the product calendar.
• Experience in leggings or bodywear categories is a strong plus.
• Innovation & Trend
• Identify global material trends, emerging technologies, and consumer insights, linking them to clear business and aesthetic opportunities.
• Drive material innovation across constructions, finishes, fibers, and sustainability.
• Stay current on competitive landscape, industry developments, and mill capabilities.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
• Build and sustain strong functional relationships with the Design team - operating as a trusted creative partner who elevates the product vision through materials expertise.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Merchandising, Product Development, and Sourcing to ensure materials meet aesthetic, performance, cost, and delivery targets.
• Communicate complex material findings, risks, and trade-offs clearly to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, speed, and continuous improvement.
• Team Leadership & People Development
• Directly manage and develop the fabric team - coaching performance, building capability, and fostering a high-standards environment.
• Build scalable workflows and SOPs that elevate quality, accountability, and speed across the material development function.
• Operate as a senior leader within the Fabric, Color, & Trims department - contributing to team strategy, departmental goals, and broader cross-functional initiatives.
• Project & Process Management
• Prioritize a high volume of material projects across concurrent seasons and categories.
• Maintain dashboards and reports to track development progress, cost savings, supplier performance, and approvals.
• Establish and publish KPIs tied to material readiness, first-pass approval rates, cost targets, and supplier OTIF.
• Own material data in PLM/BOM systems; ensure accuracy, version control, and visibility.
• Demonstrate systems and data fluency, including Smartsheet and PLM platforms; comfort with AI tools is highly valued.
• What you bring:
• 7+ years of fabric development experience, including end-to-end material programs across lifestyle and performance fabrics. Ready-to-wear or fashion brand experience is a plus.
• 3+ years managing a team within material development, R&D, fabric, or material design functions - with a track record of developing talent and building high-performing teams.
• Deep technical expertise across knit and or woven constructions, yarns, fibers, dyes, finishes, and printing techniques - with a strong ability to problem solve material quality issues as they arise.
• High taste level and passion for materials and design, with the ability to define and communicate what makes a material exceptional.
• Proven partnership with Design, balancing creative intent with technical feasibility.
• Direct experience with global fabric mills including managing costs, lead times, and development timeline management.
• Strong color acuity and attention to aesthetic detail.
• Experience in managing consistent quality for leggings and bodywear is a plus.
• Builder mindset: comfortable creating new processes and SOPs, and scaling new ways of working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to mills, factories, and trade shows.
• Bachelor's degree in Textile Design, Materials Science, Apparel Design, or a related field preferred.
• Ideal candidate brings foundational AI literacy, including experience using generative AI tools, and a proac

Benefits

Additional Information

Job Description Fabletics is looking for a Sr. Manager, Material Development. How do you fit in? As Sr. Manager, Material Development, you will be the creative and technical authority for materials at Fabletics, shaping the aesthetic vision and development strategy for fabrics across the brand. You will lead material development from concept through commercialization. This is a high-impact leadership where impeccable taste meets technical mastery. You will manage and develop the Sr. R&D Associates, partner closely with Design, and set the standard for what exceptional materials look, feel, and perform like at Fabletics. This role requires deep material expertise, a high taste level, and the strategic mindset to scale ideas into product. The Sr. Manager, Material Development will report to the Sr. Director, Fabric Development, Innovation & Sourcing.

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