Fabric Research & Development Manager, Beyond Yoga

Levi Strauss•Culver City, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Beyond Yoga is seeking a Senior Fabric Research & Development Manager to join their team in Los Angeles. This role will focus on developing fabrics that meet aesthetic, sustainability, and performance goals, aligning with global sourcing strategies and quality standards to differentiate products. The company, founded in 2005, is known for its luxuriously soft fabrics and commitment to body positivity. Beyond Yoga is part of Levi Strauss & Co. since September 2021, benefiting from its global capabilities.

Requirements

8-10 years of experience in the textile or related industry with a track record in fabric R&D and project management.
Experience of yarn spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, polymers, and finishing processes.
Expert technical knowledge of garment dry and wet processing, printing, and finishing processes.
Knowledge in the manufacturing of cut and sew garments.
Experience with large-scale commercial manufacturing and commercialization.
Background in engineering and validating performance claims.
Expertise in material testing methods.
Strategic and conceptual thinking skills with project management capabilities.
Work with other teams and work in a global environment.

Responsibilities

Stay up to date with industry trends, technological advancements, and latest materials.
Prioritize and align innovation projects with main business strategies and main projects.
Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities for difference and new ideas.
Advocate for sustainable and environmentally responsible fabric solutions.
Protect intellectual property through appropriate measures, including non-disclosure agreements and patents.
Define performance metrics and report progress to partners.
Lead and provide technical support to business, suppliers, and vendors, keeping up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory standards, and new technologies.
Ensure development process focus on timelines and approval attempts per match.
Manage technical and economic feasibility trials to evaluate new materials and processes.
Collaborate with Operations to refine processes and create SOPs that enhance supply chain efficiency and internal operations.
Communicate complex technical concepts to influence decision-making.
Apply expert knowledge to raw material analysis and interpretation.
Work with design and product development teams to ensure fabric development aligns with product specifications and timelines.
Develop material standards and test methods in partnership with the Product Integrity team.
Create and share technical specifications for raw materials with suppliers and vendors.
Build the technical validation and approval process for raw materials and resolve related issues.
Research and develop sustainable raw materials and processes to enhance product and supply chain efficiency.
Mitigate risks by ensuring transparency in the supply chain, including chemical management and compliance programs.
Provide technical mentoring to vendors and suppliers.
Build a network of third-party support to lead learning.
Offer onboarding for vendors and suppliers, monitoring for continuous improvement.
Cultivate a strategic network of contacts to expand capabilities and expertise.
Develop transformational partnerships with vendors and suppliers to support business strategies, innovation, and quality improvements.