Senior Materials Developer, Global Apparel (multiple positions)

Nike•Beaverton, OR

10h

About The Position

Senior Materials Developers on the Global Apparel Materials & Trims teams support the broader Apparel portfolio across multiple product dimensions and consumer opportunities. They report to Apparel Materials Development Directors and work closely with Design, Product Management, Technical Development, Color, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, and vendor partners. As connectors across the product creation team, they balance design intent, technical feasibility, speed to market, and commercial viability while influencing material strategies and helping strengthen the Apparel Materials ecosystem. The role supports material and trim development from concept through commercialization and production readiness. It combines strategic leadership and hands-on technical expertise to translate creative vision into scalable, commercially viable solutions that elevate consumer experiences. Developers assess material performance, quality, cost, manufacturability, sustainability, and risk, while coordinating timelines and decisions with internal teams and external partners. They also contribute to continuous improvement, innovation, supplier relationships, team development, and Nike Apparel Development’s long-term materials strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Science, Apparel, Materials Engineering, Product Development, or a related field; a suitable combination of education, experience, and training will be accepted.
At least 3 years of directly relevant work experience.
Deep knowledge of fabrics, yarns, knitting, weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, and garment manufacturing processes.
Proven experience leading material and trim development from concept through commercialization and production readiness.
Strong understanding of material performance requirements, testing methodologies, quality standards, and risk management practices.
Experience working directly with textile mills, trim suppliers, manufacturers, and development partners to create and commercialize products.
Ability to evaluate material construction, cost, performance, manufacturability, and sustainability considerations to support decisions.
Strong project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Experience partnering across Design, Product Management, Technical Development, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Quality.
Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment among diverse internal and external partners.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations.
Passion for innovation, continuous learning, and building capabilities that enable speed, quality, and consumer relevance.
Ability to travel as needed to support vendor engagement, material development, and commercialization activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in trim development, including techniques, technologies, and application.
Experience working with domestic and overseas vendors, sample rooms, ateliers, and manufacturing partners.
Familiarity with digital product creation tools, material libraries, PLM systems, and 3D development tools.

Responsibilities

Support development and commercialization of apparel materials and trims across assigned Global Apparel product opportunities.
Partner with Design, Product Management, Technical Development, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Quality throughout the product creation process.
Evaluate emerging material technologies, supplier capabilities, and market trends to identify opportunities to improve product performance and consumer relevance.
Drive material and trim development timelines from concept through production readiness and ensure key milestones are achieved.
Lead material testing, validation, and risk assessment to ensure products meet performance, quality, and commercialization standards.
Collaborate with vendor partners to develop, refine, and commercialize innovative material and trim solutions.
Build and maintain supplier relationships that support speed, innovation, quality, and operational excellence.
Identify risks early and provide recommendations and mitigation plans to support informed decision-making.
Improve development processes to increase efficiency, simplify work, and reduce lead times across the materials development lifecycle.
Document and communicate material specifications, development status, risks, and opportunities clearly and consistently.
Mentor and support teammates through technical expertise, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
Contribute to the long-term materials strategy and innovation roadmap for Nike Apparel Development.