Materials Developer

Ariat International•San Leandro, CA

25d•$75,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Materials Developer is responsible for leading the end-to-end development, commercialization, and quality assurance of trims, and labels for assigned product categories. This role acts as the primary technical owner for all material details, driving supplier performance, and ensuring all components meet the company's quality, cost, and sustainability targets with minimal supervision. The Developer proactively analyzes development bottlenecks, introduces process improvements, and serves as the internal technical expert for their material portfolio.

Requirements

BA/BS in Apparel Design, Textiles, or related field.
3-5 years of experience in the apparel industry.
Understanding of the end-to-end design and development process.
Basic knowledge of textile properties, including dyeing, finishing, and fabric performance.
Strong organizational skills and ability to utilize systems and tracking tools effectively.
Strong communication skills with clear and concise follow-through.
Effective time management and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Critical thinker with analytical, problem-solving, and adaptable mindset.
Experience with Centric PLM, Microsoft Office, and Excel.

Responsibilities

Independently managing seasonal trim and label development for assigned categories. (All TOPS Apparel and BOTTOMS Sundries)
Translating design intent into manufacturable specifications and proactively identify technical risks.
Communicating timelines and requirements directly with suppliers to ensure on-time execution.
Troubleshooting development issues impacting SMS and production, providing solutions to cross-functional partners.
Reviewing and approving lab dips and submits based on color standards, tolerances, and performance requirements.
Coordinating all material testing and ensuring compliance with company and industry standards.
Evaluating supplier performance data and supporting continuous quality improvement with key vendors.
Maintaining accurate material and color data in Centric PLM; ensuring all commercialized materials are production-ready.
Using PLM reporting to forecast calendar risks and development delays.
Recommending improvements to processes, approval flow, and PLM data structure to increase efficiency.
Serving as the technical contact for suppliers, factories, Design, Production, Sourcing, and QA.
Maintaining an organized trims and labels catalog in the material library for team reference.
Other duties as assigned.