Manager of Fabrics at CatchYourTalent

New York, New York, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

09 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

09 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Fabric Development, Textile R&D, Material Innovation, Global Mills, Performance Wear, Fabric Testing Standards, PLM Systems, Digital Fabric Management, Analytical Skills, Detail-Oriented, Problem-Solving, Negotiation Skills, Cross-Functional Communication, Leadership Skills, Process-Driven, Technical Fabric Expertise

Industry

Retail

Description

Why J.McLaughlin? J.McLaughlin was founded in 1977 by brothers Kevin and Jay McLaughlin with a mission to create an American Sportswear brand that offered two key components: classic clothing with current relevance and a retail environment that has a neighborhood feel. The J.McLaughlin brand has always been more about style than fashion: straightforward, unpretentious, and devoid of the superfluous. Our clothing is rooted in the tradition of sport, work, and play. With over 150 retail locations, each store is entirely unique, attentively designed to reflect the town's color, character, and architecture. This attention to detail extends to exemplary customer service and local philanthropic engagement. Our “Culture of Kindness” creates an environment with respect, politeness, consideration, and empathy that creates a family like atmosphere and focuses on giving back to the community. The company has an entrepreneurial spirit which fosters great experience and career opportunities, complemented with our great incentive benefits programs. Overview J.McLaughlin is a specialty American Sportswear and Accessories brand headquartered in New York. J.McLaughlin has the reputation for being “local and loyal”, building meaningful relationships within each community and providing customers with highly personalized service. We are a growing company with a focus on our culture of kindness, cultivating an exceptional atmosphere in which to work and shop. We are looking for a Fabric R & D Manager who is responsible for leading the research, development, testing, and innovation of fabrics to support product design, performance, sustainability, quality, and cost targets. This role bridges design, sourcing, mills, and production to ensure all fabrics meet aesthetic, functional, and commercial requirements while maintaining brand standards. This role is primarily based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Key Responsibilities Fabric Innovation & Development * Lead seasonal fabric research aligned with brand direction, performance needs, and market trends. * Partner with design teams to translate creative vision into viable fabric solutions. * Develop new fabrications including knits, wovens, performance, sustainable, and specialty textiles. * Develop and maintain fabric calendars to track fabric development, sampling, and procurement timelines Mill & Supplier Partnership * Develop and manage strategic partnerships with global mills and fabric suppliers. * Negotiate fabric pricing, MOQs, lead times, and exclusivity agreements. * Identify new mills and emerging technologies to enhance competitive advantage. Testing, Quality & Compliance * Oversee all fabric testing including physical, performance, wash, colorfastness, shrinkage, and wear tests. * Ensure fabrics meet internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements. * Partner with cross-functionals to address fabric-related issues during development and production. * Assist bulk fabric approval process and resolve discrepancies between lab dips, handlooms, and production lots. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Work closely with Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Sourcing, Production, and Merchandising. * Support fit, wear testing, and final product performance reviews. * Provide technical fabric expertise for vendors. What we are looking for Skills & Requirements: * Bachelor’s degree in Textile Science, Material Science, Fashion Design, Engineering, or related field. Experience * 5-8 years of experience in fabric development, textile R&D, or material innovation. * Strong background with global mills across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. * Experience supporting apparel categories such as wovens, knits, performance wear, or tailored products. Technical Skills * Deep knowledge of fibers, yarns, fabric constructions, dyeing, finishing, and performance treatments. * Strong understanding of fabric testing standards (AATCC, ASTM, ISO). * Experience with PLM systems and digital fabric management. * Advanced Excel and costing analysis skills. Soft Skills * Strong leadership and cross-functional communication skills. * Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and process-driven. * Excellent problem-solving and negotiation abilities. * Ability to manage multiple seasons and deadlines simultaneously. Equal Opportunity J.McLaughlin is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Responsibilities

The Manager of Fabrics will lead the research, development, testing, and innovation of fabrics to support product design and performance. This role involves collaboration with design, sourcing, mills, and production to ensure all fabrics meet brand standards.