Senior Manager, Raw Materials, R&D

alexanderwang•New York, NY

5d•$140,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Raw Materials R&D leads the technical research and development engine behind the brand's fabric and materials innovation strategy. This role owns the science, testing, and execution that turn a concept — a new fiber blend, finish, treatment, or performance technology — into a viable, production-ready material. This person operates at the intersection of textile science, sustainability, and manufacturing feasibility, always mindful of established pricing matrices and price-point targets, running structured R&D projects from early-stage exploration through mill trials, testing, and hand-off to seasonal development. This is a hands-on technical leadership role requiring deep material science expertise, rigorous experimentation discipline, original creative instinct, and the ability to translate ambiguous creative or performance briefs into concrete, testable material solutions — while also originating new finish, wash, dye, and treatment concepts of their own.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, related field, or equivalent work experience; a portfolio or demonstrated record of original textile, finish, or treatment development is strongly preferred alongside technical credentials.
8+ years of experience in textile/materials R&D, technical development, or fabric innovation, with deep hands-on knowledge of fiber science, dyeing, finishing, and treatment technologies
Demonstrated track record of taking materials from concept through testing to commercial production
Demonstrated track record of originating novel finishes, washes, dyes, or treatments — not solely executing against briefs defined by others
Working knowledge of costing structures and pricing matrices, with the ability to flag cost and margin implications of new materials early in the R&D process
Experience managing lab dip submission, review, and approval cycles, and developing core/foundational fabric bases
Strong working knowledge of textile testing standards, regulatory compliance, and chemical safety requirements
Established relationships with mills, labs, and technical suppliers; comfortable running trials on-site
Strong project management skills with the ability to run multiple R&D initiatives at different stages simultaneously
Ability to translate creative or performance briefs into technical specifications and feasible execution plans
Experience partnering cross-functionally with Design, Development, Merchandising, and Quality teams
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and ambiguous early-stage briefs
Regular travel to mills, fabric fairs, and trend shows, as well as overseas technical partner visits

Responsibilities

Lead structured R&D projects for new fabrics, fibers, finishes, dyes, washes, and treatments, from concept through feasibility, prototyping, and validation.
Partner with the Director to translate innovation priorities and trend direction into defined R&D briefs, technical specifications, and project timelines.
Bring an original point of view to finish, wash, dye, and treatment development — proactively proposing novel effects, techniques, and material concepts rather than only executing pre-defined briefs.
Launch and manage the seasonal lab dip process — submitting, reviewing, and approving color development from mills to ensure accuracy, consistency, and on-time readiness ahead of bulk production.
Develop new core fabric bases — foundational, reusable fabrics that anchor seasonal collections across multiple lines — balancing innovation against cost and price-point targets.
Conduct hands-on experimentation with mills and technical partners on new fiber blends, sustainable substrates, performance technologies, and novel construction or finishing techniques.
Evaluate emerging material technologies (bio-based fibers, recycled/regenerated inputs, low-impact dyeing and finishing, smart/performance textiles) for feasibility, cost, and brand fit, flagging price-point implications early so Design and the Director can weigh in before a concept advances.
Maintain a pipeline of active R&D projects at varying stages of maturity, prioritizing based on innovation value, commercial viability, and calendar readiness.
Document R&D findings, technical learnings, and trial outcomes to build institutional knowledge and inform future development.
Own execution of material testing protocols (performance, physical, chemical, and regulatory compliance) in partnership with internal quality and external labs.
Define testing requirements for new materials based on end-use application, risk profile, and product category.
Troubleshoot performance, quality, or compliance failures during development and drive corrective action with mills and suppliers, applying aesthetic judgment on hand-feel, color, and texture outcomes alongside pass/fail test data.
Ensure new materials meet brand quality standards and regulatory requirements before hand-off to seasonal development and production.
Build and manage hands-on technical relationships with mills, converters, and treatment/finishing partners to execute R&D trials.
Travel to mills, fabric fairs, and trend shows to source new technical capabilities, vet supplier R&D capacity, and stay current on manufacturing innovation, as well as to scout aesthetic and trend inspiration that can feed new ideas into the R&D pipeline.
Assess supplier technical capabilities and constraints, providing feasibility input that shapes what the Director and Design can realistically pursue.
Support Sourcing/Purchasing in identifying, vetting, and onboarding new mill sources for core bases and R&D-stage fabric development.
Negotiate trial terms, minimums, and timelines with suppliers for R&D-stage development.
Transition validated R&D materials into the seasonal development calendar, working closely with category Sr. Managers and Development teams to ensure smooth hand-off.
Provide technical specifications, sourcing documentation, and testing results needed for materials to move into commercial production.
Confirm lab dips and core base development align with pricing matrix and margin targets before hand-off to seasonal development.
Support Design and Development teams with technical troubleshooting on R&D-originated materials during their first seasons in the line.
Maintain the technical (non-aesthetic) side of the Raw Materials library — specs, test data, and performance benchmarks for developed materials.
Establish R&D best practices, documentation standards, and project management processes that scale across fabric and materials development.
Identify opportunities to apply AI and other technology to accelerate R&D cycles, testing analysis, and technical documentation.
Manage R&D budget, lab/testing spend, and trial-related travel.
Able to manage or mentor junior-level employees as needed.