VP Materials R&D
Gap Inc. · NY 55 Thomas St · $275,000–$330,000 (stated in the posting)
About the Role
In this key leadership role, you will be responsible for materials innovation, strategic fabric sourcing and development, providing holistic materials leadership across all Gap Inc brands (Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta). You will also be directly responsible for Banana Republic materials leadership, translating individual brand aesthetic into clear, executable direction. [MW3.1][MS3.2][MW3.3]You will be a strong, inspirational leader who can leverage consumer insights, mill strategies and key trends to drive fabric development, innovation, costing and positioning. You will lead Gap Inc color operations strategy and the enterprise digital color library. [MW4.1]You will drive a ‘Fabric First’ mentality and strategy throughout the product-to-market process. You will also provide direction and thought partnership to internal Gap Inc teams in North America, as well as the Mill Management and Fabric Engineering teams in Asia based on cross-functional strategies.Salary Range: $275,000 - $330,000
Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.
What You'll Do
- Lead the Gap Inc US-based Materials teams, developing and executing a multi-year fabric R&D strategy aligned with brand and company objectives
- Partner closely with design, merchandising, production, and sourcing teams to ensure materials meet creative, functional, and commercial requirements; present seasonal R&D trend insights to these teams (as well as company senior executives as needed)
- Contribute to global sourcing and product assortment strategies based on market research and competitive analysis
- Lead the Banana Republic R&D team, overseeing key milestones across the product-to-market calendar in collaboration with brand product leadership
- Research and analyze global textile trends, market needs, new technologies/processes, and consumer preferences to inform and drive fabric innovation
- Set annual and seasonal trend direction and drive innovation based on Design direction and textile industry innovations and macro trends
- Analyze fabric needs across the company, communicating recommendations to cross functional partners for leveraging qualities across brands and divisions that meet brand and customer needs
- Establish and monitor seasonal fabric development KPIs and cross-brand discipline on number of seasonal developments, fabric testing and risk assessment to set Gap Inc standards
- Drive consistent fabric process operating model and discipline
- Build and maintain physical and digital materials library across Brands
- Manage color library, inclusive of color processes, testing and custom color development
- Stay abreast of market trends, competitor activity and emerging technologies in the fabric industry
- Ensure Brand and company Sustainability targets are met through material innovation, supplier collaboration, fiber and fabric innovators
Who You Are
- Bachelor’s degree in textile design, material science, or related field; post-graduate qualifications preferred
- 15+ years in senior materials roles, with global leadership scope across apparel categories
- Proven experience driving materials innovation in a global, multi-brand, omni-channel enterprise; proven ability to lead end-to-end fabric development, from ideation to bulk production
- Deep expertise in textile fibers, yarns, knits, wovens, dying/finishing techniques, fabric construction, textile processes, and color services; Proficiency in fabric testing protocols (colorfastness, shrinkage, pilling, etc.) and compliance standards to ensure product integrity
- Understanding of technical fabrics including performance materials, wovens, warp knits and seamless garment construction; familiarity with sustainable materials and eco-friendly processes, including knowledge of relevant certifications (GOTS, OEKO-TEX)
- Ability to specify custom engineering requirements for new materials and resolve manufacturing or costing issues before production; Familiarity with legal aspects of material exclusivity and patent agreements
- Strong understanding of cost/value engineering, margin management, and the business impact of material choices
- Strong vendor/mill network across key global regions (Asia, Europe, Americas)
- Executive-level oral and written business communication skills with demonstrated ability to present complex technical and market information across multiple levels, and to influence at the senior leadership level and across matrixed organizations
- Track record of recruiting, retaining, and developing high-performing technical talent
- Strong operational mindset with ability to translate product quality and customer metrics into actioned process innovation
- Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills; ability to frame new, ambiguous and complex issues; able to generate insight through rigorous analysis
- Experience leading transformation efforts, including business model innovation and large-scale cost improvements; ability to drive digitization and process improvements within the fabric development workflow
- Ability to manage multiple projects with urgency and attention to detail
- Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and digital tools for trend analysis, CAD and fabric design
Ability to travel globally