Senior Fabric R&D Specialist

FAM Brands•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

FAM Brands is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Fabric Research and Development Specialist to spearhead our fabric R&D initiatives. This critical role involves end-to-end fabric development, from knits to wovens, ensuring our Club and RockFit lines remain at the forefront of industry trends. As the internal fabric R&D expert, you will collaborate closely with design, product development, and approved factories to drive innovation and efficiency. Your proactive approach will ensure our fabric solutions not only meet but anticipate market demands and customer needs.

Requirements

5-7+ years of progressive experience in Fabric Research and Development, with a strong background in both wovens and knits.
Proven expertise in color trends and fabric technology, with a portfolio demonstrating successful fabric innovations.
Extensive network of contacts within textile mills across Asia, facilitating efficient sourcing and development of innovative fabrics.
Exceptional ability to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder requests simultaneously, maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.
Highly proactive and hands-on, ready to dive deep into fabric development processes and manage a small, dynamic team dedicated to building our R&D capabilities.
Travel to factories in Asia to develop fabrics and collaborate with our Shanghai team may be required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with apparel companies that sell to membership-based retailers (e.g., Costco, Sam’s Club) is advantageous.
A degree in Textile Engineering, Fabric Science, or a related field is preferred, although equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Conduct thorough analyses of fabric needs across all FAM Brands, providing actionable recommendations to design and product development teams.
Effectively communicate fabric characteristics and their potential applications to cross-functional partners, ensuring alignment with design goals.
Stay ahead of industry trends by researching emerging knit and fabric trends, color innovations, and technological advancements.
Develop and propose new fabric concepts that align with brand aesthetics and consumer expectations.
Demonstrate a deep understanding of both our customers and end-users, ensuring fabric choices enhance the customer experience and meet their functional and aesthetic requirements.
Translate customer insights into tangible fabric development strategies and solutions.
Act as a mentor and resource, freely sharing your expertise in fabrics and educating team members and partners on fabric properties and their impact on design and production.
Lead workshops and training sessions to enhance the team’s knowledge of fabric technology and market trends.
Develop a robust understanding of our pricing models and market positioning to recommend fabrics that meet both quality and cost-effectiveness criteria.
Collaborate with the sourcing team to negotiate fabric costs and ensure alignment with budgetary constraints.
Work closely with design and product development to integrate fabric choices seamlessly into the product development process.
Provide multiple fabric options and detailed recommendations, ensuring each choice aligns with the cost structure and product requirements.