Material Development Manager Job Listing at Volcom in Lafayette, CO (Job ID 6945)

Description

Title: Material Development Manager

At Liberated Brands, we strive to embody the creative spirit of youth culture. Liberated Brands was built on liberation, innovation and experimentation while remaining dedicated to the breakdown of established traditions. We empower our employees to stay “True To This”, which symbolizes our integrity, authenticity and individuality and just the pure joy of riding! 

Liberated Brands wants to share our passion for the action sports industry with you. Our dynamic culture attracts the most creative, passionate individuals. We work hard and play hard in a fun casual work environment located in the beautiful beach city of Costa Mesa. We urge you to come join the ride!

From boutique-brand culture to big-box retail, Liberated Brands thinks differently and has global scale servicing over 60+ countries. With over three decades of experience in brand-building, we are enhancing what a full-service license model can look like. We focus on the fundamentals of designing, producing, distributing, and marketing our brands and products, but always leave room for the x-factors to lead the way. Our expertise spans all sales channels, from direct-to-consumer to specialty wholesale and everything in between, both physical and digital.  This Liberated approach creates a unique and powerful balance between brand-culture and sustainable growth.  Join us and experience the benefits of being truly Liberated.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

As the Material Development Manager, you will drive the material commercialization, development and innovation process for the Spyder and Volcom technical apparel business.  You will work cross-functionally with the Design, Merchandising and Production teams to meet the needs of creative vision, technical features/benefits and business requirements.  Your role will be pivotal in finding synergies across both brands.

Strategy & Innovation

• Drive the multi-season material development process with a focus on sustainability, brand cohesiveness, trend identification, function and performance attributes, quality, cost and the ability to commercialize. 
• Implement a costing framework that meets the needs of internal stakeholders in Merchandising and Design while maximizing the goals of the business. 
• Maintain a forward-looking innovation pipeline that anticipates the needs of the target customer, changes in trend and new developments in technology.
• Build the material sourcing strategy while collaborating with Material Planning to minimize liability risk and maximize efficiencies across genders, brands and suppliers. 

Operations & Results

• Track and execute seasonal material development calendars, ensuring materials are confirmed prior to any booking and mitigate any risks to meeting key delivery dates. 
• Partner with Merchandising and Development to ensure quality execution, assist in costing negotiations to achieve margin goals of the business. 
• Continuously identify opportunities for improved innovation, sustainability, quality, cost reduction and production efficiency from season to season. 
• Maintain a fabric/trim library as well as the database for all confirmed materials with a focus on accuracy of pricing, and testing results that meet compliance requirements.
• Maintain the vendor testing manual and ensure all suppliers complete profile requirements and compliance forms as well as an up-to-date checklist of all legal requirements. 
• Develop the global labeling strategy that meets the compliance requirements for each region and/or retailer.
• Partner with Material Planning on any bulk production quality issues and identify chargeback violations on behalf of material suppliers 
• Provide key input to the Merchandising, Development and Design teams during pre and post season line reviews.

Leadership & Relationship Management 

• Effectively communicate and follow-up with internal and external constituents in offices around the world including internal stakeholders, material suppliers, and licensors where relevant.        
• Manage and identify risks in supplier relationships, opportunities to leverage existing business or the need to bring on new suppliers. 
• Coordinate supplier meetings for material submits, and prepare educational material to assist in the design creation, assortment planning and the sell-in processes. 

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Bachelor's degree in textile engineering, materials or related field preferred or combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in material development and innovation in performance apparel, knowledge of fabric/garment production process, mechanical and chemical treatments.
• Proven track record to commercialize and implement an effective material sourcing strategy while building an innovation pipeline that anticipates future needs of technology, sustainability, quality, cost and delivery. 
• Should have a strong understanding of the performance apparel supply chain, experience in negotiations, and the ability to work cross-functionally internally and globally. 
• Highly organized and attentive to detail with the ability to independently manage a material development calendar and provide input to streamline processes. 
• Extensive experience working with various material suppliers and ability to travel internationally. 
• This position requires some hours at our Spyder US Offices in Costa Mesa, CA / Colorado; however, some duties can be performed remotely.

LIBERATED PERKS:

• Collaborative culture with amazing family vibe
• Discounts on Liberated Merch
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits (majority employer paid)
• 401k with employer match (based on eligibility)
• Surf and Snow Team Building Days
• Summer Half Day Fridays
• Paid Time Off
• Referral Program

Liberated Brands is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role in Colorado / Costa Mesa, CA is $90,000 -  $130,000. Compensation will ultimately be in line with the location in which the position is filled. Final compensation for this role will be determined by several factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skill set, certifications, and specific work location.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. 

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, please contact Customer Service to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process: 1 (855) 330-0188 or ADAaccommodations@liberatedbrands.com.