Associate Color Developer

Vuori•Carlsbad, CA

About The Position

The Associate Color Developer supports the development, evaluation, and commercialization of seasonal colors across performance and lifestyle fabrics. The role ensures color execution aligns with Vuori’s brand aesthetic and meets quality and testing expectations. It supports pre-season color feasibility, lab dip evaluation, and color fastness testing, partnering with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Production, and suppliers to ensure colors are accurately developed, evaluated, approved, and tested on time. The position connects design vision with color execution and requires accurate, complete, timely, and professional communication.

Requirements

At least 3 years of color development experience.
Superior score on the Munsell Hue Test.
Knowledge of dyes and dyeing techniques for varied fiber contents and fabric structures.
Knowledge of industry color fastness testing standards.
Understanding of visual and instrumental color evaluation procedures, with accurate and consistent technique, including the ability to use a light box.
Strong understanding of textile construction, performance attributes, dyeing, finishing, and fabric commercialization processes.
Strong communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally with internal teams and overseas mills and suppliers.
Effective organizational skills and ability to manage multiple seasons, projects, and priorities simultaneously.
Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Ability to bend, lift, open, and move product and related office items weighing up to 25 pounds, depending on need.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Science, Material Development, Product Development, or equivalent years of experience.
Experience working in PLM systems; familiarity with Centric PLM is a plus.
Passion for innovation and sustainability within the apparel industry.
International travel experience.
Willingness to undertake occasional international travel.

Responsibilities

Drive the development and approval of seasonal-colored materials for assigned categories, ensuring accuracy, quality, and alignment with brand standards.
Provide technical color expertise when evaluating seasonal colors and fabric combinations.
Maintain and organize physical and digital lab dip libraries.
Track color approval status across multiple seasons and categories, proactively communicating risks, delays, color fastness concerns, and shade execution issues.
Maintain accurate records in PLM systems, including color comments, approvals, colorfastness results, and ETAs.
Participate in cross-functional meetings, document color-related action items, and drive follow-up with internal and external partners.
Support pre-season color feasibility, lab dip evaluation, and color fastness testing.
Partner with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, Production, and suppliers to ensure seasonal colors are developed, evaluated, approved, and tested on time.