Sr Manager, Materials R&D - BR
Gap Inc. · SF
About the Role
In this role, you will leverage consumer insights, mill strategies, and key trends to drive fabric development, innovation, costing, and positioning. 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.What You'll Do
Analyze fabric needs across the company Communicate recommendations to cross functional partners for leveraging qualities across divisions, taking into consideration and tracking all components of the fabric and wash resource library to support seasonal inspiration, as well as archive Gap Inc platformed fabrics
Track Fabric development KPIs and brand discipline on number of seasonal developments and fabric testing reporting and risk assessment tool to level set expectations across functional areas
Partner with Product Development and Merchandising to ensure that fabrics are within the V/G/B/B pricing architecture
Identify fabrics that need to be cost engineered and communicate with the Mill management team
Drive fabric process discipline throughout product to market calendar to ensure alignment at each key milestone from Mill Week to Fabric Alignment and Sampling
Build cross functional partnerships and consensus; influence strategy for your division and team
Who You Are
Strong experience with fabric constructions, dye techniques, finishes, and garment construction and manufacturing/sourcing processes
Proven ability to influence and make decisions across geographies in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial
Ability to assess relatively complex situations and analyze data to make judgments and recommend solutions
Sound knowledge of concepts and procedures specific to R&D and a basic understanding of the procedures across cross functional teams within design, production, tech design, merchandising quality assurance, sustainability, and sourcing