Sr. Fabric Manager

Skims•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

SKIMS is looking for a Sr. Fabric Manager. The Senior Fabric Manager leads in-season fabric development and drives seasonal newness, translating design direction and emerging trends into fabrics that meet the brand’s aesthetic, quality, cost, and timing requirements. This role partners closely with Design, Product Development, Compliance and Mill partners to deliver fresh, commercially viable materials while responding quickly to evolving in-season needs. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, an eye for newness, and the ability to move developments forward within compressed timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Science, Textile Development, Fashion, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
8+ years of experience in apparel fabric development or sourcing, with demonstrated ownership of seasonal and in-season development.
Strong technical knowledge of fibers, yarns, fabric construction, dyeing, printing, and finishing.
A strong eye for fabric trends and the ability to translate new ideas into commercially viable products.
Experience managing mills and delivering developments within short lead times.
Experience sourcing and developing both fashion-driven and technically complex fabrics.
Experience working within a high-growth, fast-paced, product-driven organization
Understanding of fabric costing, testing, quality standards, and production requirements.
Strong communication, negotiation, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage overlapping seasonal calendars and adjust priorities as business needs evolve.
Proficiency in PLM systems, Microsoft Excel, and development tracking tools.

Responsibilities

Lead in-season fabric development from initial brief through approval and production handoff.
Respond to emerging product opportunities, design updates, and business needs with timely fabric solutions.
Manage development timelines, submissions, and approvals, proactively addressing risks to delivery.
Balance speed, creative intent, quality, and cost when recommending fabrics and alternatives.
Partner with Design to establish seasonal fabric direction and identify opportunities for newness across the assortment.
Research textile trends and consumer need to inform relevant fabric recommendations.
Proactively source and present new fabric concepts that reflect the brand’s aesthetic and commercial priorities.
Curate seasonal fabric presentations with clear recommendations on application, cost, lead time, and development feasibility.
Build strong mill relationships that support newness, responsiveness, and reliable execution.
Communicate clear development briefs, technical specifications, target costs, and required timelines.
Evaluate fabric options for quality, scalability, minimum order quantities, lead times, and production capability.
Partner with Sourcing to achieve cost targets and confirm commercial requirements before adoption.
Track supplier performance and resolve development challenges promptly.
Maintain strong visibility into global textile markets, raw material pricing and supplier capabilities.
Evaluate fabric submissions for construction, hand feel, weight, finish, and suitability for intended use.
Partner with Color, Product Compliance, and Technical Design to ensure fabrics meet color and performance requirements.
Troubleshoot technical issues during development and confirm readiness for bulk production.
Communicate development status, risks, and recommendations clearly to cross-functional partners.
Maintain accurate fabric specifications, development records, and approval documentation.
Provide technical guidance and improve processes to support efficient, consistent development.