Sr. Manager, Technical Development- PPE

Carhartt•Dearborn, MI

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Technical Development – PPE partners with the Director of Product Development – PPE to lead technical development strategy for the PPE category. This role owns material, trim, color, testing, and regulatory development activities that support a global pipeline of compliant, innovative, and commercially viable industrial workwear products. The position strengthens Carhartt’s global supply chain by identifying raw material suppliers, evaluating new technologies, and translating regulatory and performance requirements into clear development standards. The Senior Manager builds strong internal and external partnerships while providing global PPE oversight and ensuring regulatory compliance requirements are managed consistently across markets. Inspired by Hard Work At Carhartt, the values of hard work—dependability, honesty, and trust—are rooted in the legacy of our founder, Hamilton Carhartt. His commitment to serving hardworking people continues to inspire everything we do. Guided by his legacy and our mission—We serve and protect all hardworking people by building durable products—we remain dedicated to upholding these principles in every decision we make and every product we create.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field; Textile Engineering preferred, or equivalent years of related experience in lieu of degree.
Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in textile manufacturing or product development required.
The apparel industry preferred.
Minimum of 4 years of experience leading people.
Strong fabric, trim and color development background.
Knowledge of laboratory procedures and physical performance of fabric and trim required.
Knowledge of the PPE/FR industry as it relates to textiles and regulations is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated leadership in development with a focus on innovation and quality.
Strong strategic and analytical skills and aptitude.
Demonstrated ability to build and foster business relationships with cross functional teams, and internal and external partners.
Experience with systems to set up raw material development and tracking, PLM preferred.
Excellent interpersonal skills: an exceptional listener and communicator who effectively conveys information verbally and in writing with a demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate.
Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize workload, delegate work and concurrently manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

Coach, mentor, and develop Product Development – PPE direct reports by setting priorities, building capability, delegating effectively, and ensuring accountability.
Lead and execute strategic material development for PPE materials across U.S. and global markets, focused on supply chain resilience, technical performance, innovation, cost, and scalability for Carhartt’s pipeline.
Establish and execute raw material quality standards with Quality Assurance and Sourcing to support accurate, actionable commercialization information.
Analyze fabric and trim test results against performance, durability, quality, and regulatory requirements, and communicate findings, actions, and expectations.
Ensure PPE products comply with applicable national and international standards, including OSHA, ANSI, EN, ISO, ASTM, NFPA, ISEA, and related frameworks.
Collaborate with Merchandising, Design, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Sourcing to develop, test, certify, and commercialize PPE products.
Represent Carhartt on regulatory and standards committees, including ASTM, NFPA, ISEA, and other applicable organizations, to monitor and communicate changes.
Maintain technical expertise on regulations, standards, test methods, materials, and industry trends to keep PPE products compliant, relevant, and manage risk to the brand and consumer.
Maintain raw material, testing, and industry contacts to support development, problem solving, supplier assessment, and awareness of emerging technologies.
Provide technical support for customer service, Sales, Merchandising, and Marketing on product performance, regulatory, and technical information.
Promote open communication, creativity, and sharing ideas and best practices.
Partner with Quality Assurance as the PPE subject matter expert during annual supplier audits, including capabilities, compliance, corrective actions, and risk plans.
Travel globally to assess suppliers and manufacturers, validate materials, review prototypes, resolve issues, and support sourcing strategies.