Overview
REI Co-op is united around discovering, building and celebrating better ways of working in this world, all so that folks can find and pursue a love of the outdoors. When you work for the co-op, you do your best work with the support to live your best life. And you play a part in shaping the future of the outdoors, for people and our planet.
This job contributes to REI’s success by supporting the color process and adhering to the timeline for color development for all of Gear & Apparel. Supporting the color strategy for needs of the G&A business, including helping to determine what tools are needed to improve the quality and efficiency of color development. The Color Developer evaluates color for several G&A business units.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in the apparel or textile industry.
• Hands on experience with color matching equipment such as spectrophotometer and color management systems.
• Technical understanding of textile coloration techniques/limitations, including fibers, yarns, dyeing, finishing, coating.
• Thorough understanding of the product development process including related timelines.
• Knowledge of testing methods, interpretation and application of results.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with Design, Production, Merchandising and international suppliers regarding color processes and color quality issues, both written and verbal.
• Solid problem solving and strategic thinking ability.
• Ability to travel approximately 2 weeks per year if needed
• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one’s own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals

• Follows the established standards, processes and controls to manage color development at REI
• Facilitates lab dip process (requests and comment phases) for all fabrics and mills handled by HQ
• Requests and evaluates lab dip submissions
• Evaluates and comments upon all bulk submissions and alerts greater team if necessary
• Maintains color details and states in Enovia
• Communicates color development status to stakeholders throughout the organization
• Provides color technical support to Gear and Apparel product teams
• Ensures compliance to timelines and alerts team when this is not on track
• Assists to identify and resolve potential color quality issues
• Assists in updating and maintaining the Color Quality Manual and ensures all vendors follow our procedures
• Utilizes software and equipment solutions to increase color development accuracy and efficiency
• Partners with mills to improve color accuracy in development and bulk
• Networks with colorists, color software, standards, equipment, and dye manufacturers to share best practices and stay abreast of latest advancements in color development

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in the apparel or textile industry.
• Hands on experience with color matching equipment such as spectrophotometer and color management systems.
• Technical understanding of textile coloration techniques/limitations, including fibers, yarns, dyeing, finishing, coating.
• Thorough understanding of the product development process including related timelines.
• Knowledge of testing methods, interpretation and application of results.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with Design, Production, Merchandising and international suppliers regarding color processes and color quality issues, both written and verbal.
• Solid problem solving and strategic thinking ability.
• Ability to travel approximately 2 weeks per year if needed
• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one’s own team and across REI for the achievement of business goals.

Closing
At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there’s strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you’re backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.