Textile Development Professional - Technical Textiles

Milliken and Company•Spartanburg, SC

About The Position

This role is responsible for development activities for knit, woven, coating and finishing technologies supporting Milliken's Technical Textiles business across Building & Infrastructure, Decor, and Industrial markets. Development activities include developing innovative new products, facilitating projects to improve margins of existing products, and supporting manufacturing in the technical performance of existing products. Key markets supported by this role include building and construction, contract textiles and décor applications, tape reinforcements, and industrial textiles. A key part of the role includes maintaining excellent relationships with existing customers while building relationships with new customers and industry partners to enhance the growth pipeline.

Requirements

BS Degree in Engineering, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Materials Science, Chemistry, or comparable technical field
Demonstrated Leadership Skills in Team Environment
Experience in textile manufacturing(wovens, non-wovens and/or knits), product development, or related technical field
Skilled in Microsoft Office applications and technical data analysis; experience with SAP or pipeline management systems is a plus
Willingness to travel to key customer locations, manufacturing sites, and trade shows
Ability to collaborate both internally and externally to shape ideas and concepts and communicate them successfully to build a robust development portfolio
Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and innovative thinking to provide customer-focused solutions
Passionate about driving innovation and change
Display high energy and be fully committed to the role, its opportunities and challenges

Nice To Haves

Experience with wovens, non-wovens, circular knit, warp knit, coating, finishing, lamination, or related textile technologies
Strong Chemical background/experience a plus
Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, or manufacturing operations
Relevant internship, co-op, research, or project experience for recent graduates

Responsibilities

Product Development – Concept through Production Adoption for textile technologies
Work with Marketing, Product Management, and Business teams on new development projects
Work with Manufacturing on project execution
Work with Existing/New Customers on development projects
Production process and mechanical innovations to improve quality, efficiency, and performance
Variable Cost Reduction Projects with manufacturing
Customer Communication regarding new projects, concepts, and solutions
Identifying new opportunities to enhance the growth pipeline
Developing relationships with key raw material suppliers to further enhance technical capabilities
Support technical service activities and manufacturing problem solving as needed
Support product compliance, certification, and regulatory activities, including coordination of testing, documentation, and customer requirements related to programs such as Oeko-Tex®, HPD, California Fire Marshal, and other applicable industry standards.
Participate in customer visits, trade shows, and industry events to identify emerging market needs and opportunities