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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Textile Specialist

💰 $70,000 - $115,000

ManufacturingProduct DevelopmentFashionQuality AssuranceSourcing

🎯 Role Definition

A Textile Specialist is the in-house expert on all things fabric and material. You will be the critical link between the design vision and the final product, driving innovation, quality, and sustainability from the ground up. This role involves deep collaboration with design, product development, and supply chain partners to research, develop, test, and commercialize new textiles. You'll manage the entire lifecycle of a fabric, from initial concept and sourcing to production-ready approval, ensuring our materials meet exacting standards for performance, aesthetics, cost, and compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Textile Lab Technician
  • Assistant Fabric Buyer
  • Quality Control Inspector (Textiles)
  • Materials Librarian

Advancement To:

  • Senior Textile Specialist
  • Textile Development Manager
  • Fabric Sourcing Director
  • Materials Innovation Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Developer
  • Technical Designer
  • Sustainability Manager (Textiles)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Drive the research and development of new and innovative textiles, yarns, and finishes that align with brand strategy, seasonal design concepts, and performance requirements.
  • Identify, evaluate, and establish relationships with a global network of textile mills and suppliers, ensuring they meet our standards for quality, ethical production, and sustainability.
  • Collaborate closely with the design and merchandising teams from the initial concept phase to provide expert guidance on fabric selection, feasibility, and application.
  • Manage the end-to-end fabric development process, creating and tracking a development calendar to ensure all material deadlines are met for proto, sample, and bulk production.
  • Define and manage a comprehensive textile testing protocol, coordinating with internal and third-party labs to ensure all fabrics meet or exceed standards for durability, colorfastness, and safety.
  • Analyze and negotiate fabric costs and lead times with suppliers to achieve target margins without compromising on quality, performance, or aesthetic.
  • Oversee the complete color development and approval process, managing lab dips and bulk fabric submissions against color standards to ensure consistency across all production runs.
  • Create and maintain detailed technical specifications for all approved materials, including construction, weight, content, finish, and performance attributes within the PLM system.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting all fabric-related quality or production issues, working with mills and factories to find swift and effective solutions.
  • Diligently input and manage all fabric data within the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, ensuring data integrity for accurate reporting and decision-making.
  • Facilitate a seamless handoff of approved fabric specifications and standards to the production and quality assurance teams, providing clear guidance for bulk manufacturing.

Secondary Functions

  • Meticulously manage and update the physical and digital fabric library, ensuring all materials are properly cataloged with technical specifications for easy access by cross-functional teams.
  • Champion the company's sustainability goals by actively sourcing and promoting the use of recycled, organic, and certified materials (e.g., GOTS, Oeko-Tex, Bluesign®).
  • Continuously research and present findings on emerging textile trends, new material technologies, and innovations in sustainability to keep the brand at the forefront of the industry.
  • Ensure all textiles adhere to international regulations and compliance standards, such as REACH and RSL (Restricted Substances List), maintaining all necessary documentation.
  • Manage the onboarding and qualification process for new mills, conducting audits and assessments to verify their technical capabilities and ethical compliance.
  • Proactively conduct risk assessments on new and existing materials to anticipate potential performance failures, production delays, or quality inconsistencies.
  • Travel internationally and domestically to visit textile mills, attend trade shows, and meet with suppliers to foster relationships and oversee development firsthand.
  • Initiate counter-sourcing projects for key fabrics to mitigate risk, improve quality, or achieve better costing, presenting viable alternatives to the product teams.
  • Coordinate the ordering and tracking of all sample yardage required for prototyping and salesman samples, ensuring timely delivery to garment vendors.
  • Continuously evaluate and refine the textile development and approval workflow to enhance efficiency, communication, and speed to market.
  • Educate internal teams, including design, sales, and marketing, on the features and benefits of new textiles, empowering them with technical knowledge.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep knowledge of textile manufacturing processes, including weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing, and finishing techniques.
  • Expertise in fabric construction, fiber properties, and yarn types (both natural and synthetic).
  • Proficiency in industry-standard textile testing methods and standards (e.g., AATCC, ASTM, ISO).
  • Advanced color acuity and experience with visual and digital color evaluation using light boxes and spectrophotometers.
  • Skilled in using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software (e.g., Centric, FlexPLM) and the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
  • Strong understanding of material costing, supply chain logistics, and global sourcing.
  • Knowledge of sustainable textile certifications (GOTS, Oeko-Tex, Bluesign®) and circular economy principles.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple development timelines simultaneously.
  • Superior communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with diverse, cross-functional, and global teams.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to the highest standards of quality.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of diagnosing complex material issues and implementing solutions.
  • Proactive and adaptable mindset with a passion for continuous learning and staying current with industry innovations.
  • Effective negotiation and vendor management skills to build strong partnerships and achieve business objectives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in Textile Science or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Science
  • Textile Engineering
  • Material Science
  • Fashion Design with a textile focus

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct experience in textile development, sourcing, or a closely related role within the apparel, home goods, or technical textiles industry.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience working directly with global mills and a proven track record of bringing innovative materials from concept to commercialization. Experience in a specific category like performance activewear, outerwear, or denim is highly desirable.

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