Senior Manager of Materials
Truewerk•Denver, CO
•$105,000 - $115,000•Hybrid
About The Position
TRUEWERK is seeking a highly driven Senior Manager of Materials based near Denver, CO, who excels at creating exceptional product experiences through performance knit and woven materials. This role involves leading agile development, shaping testing protocols, and collaborating closely with mills and suppliers to push material performance to its highest level. The ideal candidate will embrace TRUEWERK's values of Acting Intentionally, Staying Open and Curious, Leading with a Feel, Earning It, and Being in the Arena. They will champion a fast-paced, iterative material development culture, focusing on minimum viable products and adapting to shifting priorities within a 3-week sprint cycle and seasonal release calendar.
Requirements
- 8-10 years of experience in technical material development, specifically with performance knits and wovens for the athletic, outdoor, or tactical industries.
- Expertise in performance attributes (e.g., moisture management, dry rates, waterproof/breathable ratings, durability testing) and the corresponding testing methodologies (e.g., ASTM, ISO, NFPA, AATC standards).
- Proven ability to translate user experience goals into technical fabric specifications and manage complex development timelines with global vendors.
- Ability to analyze trade-offs between aesthetic, performance, and functional attributes of materials.
- Ability to understand and articulate the root cause of a material experience at the fiber and material construction level.
- Experience partnering with and managing overseas suppliers, vendors, factories, and resources.
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally on a quarterly basis.
Nice To Haves
- Innate level of handiness and understanding of our consumer’s work, with an ability to communicate in their language and “talk trades”; capable of jumping in on the job site.
- Proven success in managing material and trim development projects against timelines to stay on track with seasonal delivery schedules.
- Experience with PLM systems and project management methodologies (we use Backbone).
- Experience with laminating/bonding processes for outerwear.
- Degree in Textile Science/Engineering or equivalent experience.
Responsibilities
- Communicate consumer needs and pain points to mills, and support associated material development efforts to ensure material experience and quality standards are exceeded.
- Partner with mills to coordinate and manage performance testing plans and material quality standards for new and existing materials.
- Manage seasonal material development, including new colors and prints, comment on lab dips, and participate in design reviews.
- Execute fabric compliance, sustainability, and product safety according to applicable regulations.
- Source, qualify, cost, and lead the development of high-performance knit and woven fabrics, technical yarns, fibers, and membranes with high-tech textile mills.
- Forge productive mill relationships through collaboration, communication, and articulating experience goals.
- Qualify mills based on technical and process competencies.
- Engage in precosting and negotiate new development costs with suppliers.
- Conduct quality assurance through bulk production reviews of color, appearance, and handfeel.
- Contribute to the development and upkeep of quality manuals for mills.
- Partner with finished goods and material suppliers to develop innovative material and construction capabilities and introduce new material concepts.
Benefits
- Employer-paid medical (HDHP & PPO options) and dental plans
- Optional vision, pet, accident, cancer, critical illness, and hospitalization insurance
- Company-sponsored life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
- Affordable coverage for dependents and domestic partners
- HSA with monthly employer contribution
- FSA, dependent care, and commuter spending accounts
- Employee Assistance Program (free mental health, financial, and legal counseling)
- Professional development reimbursement program
- Volunteer and community-building opportunities
- 401(k) with company match
- Monthly hybrid work stipend
- Annual performance bonus
- Unlimited PTO policy and paid company holidays
- Free workwear for you and discounts for friends and family!
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
