Textile & Raw Materials Specialist

Champro•Bannockburn, IL

17h

About The Position

Champro® is a privately owned sporting goods and apparel manufacturer that has been in business for more than 30 years. The company delivers traditional and innovative athletic equipment and apparel through customer-focused, integrity-driven service. The Textile & Raw Materials Specialist supports the development, testing, and commercialization of fabrics, trims, and raw materials used across the product portfolio. The role works closely with suppliers and Product Development, Quality, and Design teams to ensure materials meet performance, quality, cost, and aesthetic requirements. It is suited to someone with a background in textile science, textile technology, material development, or apparel product development who wants to build expertise in fabric development and material performance.

Requirements

1–3 years of relevant experience in textiles, apparel, color, or materials development; internships count.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proactive communication skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks at once.
Bachelor's degree in Textile Science, Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, or Material Science.
Working knowledge of Excel.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of textile construction, fabric performance characteristics, fiber content, knit and woven structures, dyeing, finishing, and garment manufacturing processes.
Coursework or experience in textile testing, textile science, fabric engineering, material development, quality assurance, or product development.
Familiarity with PLM systems.

Responsibilities

Research and organize new fabric, trim, and color inspiration to support seasonal concept development.
Coordinate fabric and trim testing for shrinkage, stretch, colorfastness, fiber content, durability, and other performance requirements.
Maintain material performance databases and testing-history records.
Support the development of raw-material quality surveillance programs and testing protocols.
Enter and maintain accurate material, trim, and color information in PLM and shared tracking tools.
Partner with Design to distribute development swatches and lab dips and submit samples for review and approval.
Help prepare seasonal development boards and assist with internal presentations to Design and Product teams.
Monitor development calendars and follow up with vendors to keep sample and testing timelines on track.
Track material and color testing results and communicate key findings to appropriate teams.
Coordinate inbound and outbound sample shipments, ensuring proper labeling and documentation.
Consolidate feedback from Design, Product, and Technical teams so clear direction is provided to vendors.
Support vendor communication and development timelines.
Provide general administrative and logistical support to the material, trim, and color development team.
Back up the Color Developer and assist with color-related projects as needed, based on performance and capability.
Track fabric submittals and coordinate testing for qualities beyond color and GSM, including shrinkage, stretch, and fiber content.
Support development of a raw-material QC surveillance program, including defining testing protocols, frequency, and implementation processes, and help build a record-keeping system.
Assist with QC investigations into raw-material issues, such as color bleeding, by identifying root causes and proposing potential resolutions for team evaluation.
Support pre-production planning by monitoring sampling timelines and, as the process is defined, coordinating expectations around TOP sample timing.