Career Opportunity
Raw Materials & Trim Manager (Fabric & Trim Technologist)
Ref #:
W153927
Department:
Manufacturing & Sourcing
City:
Nutley
State/Province:
New Jersey
Location:
United States
Pay Range Max
Pay Range Min
Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.
At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.
At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.
Position Overview
The Raw Materials Manager - Fabric & Trim, will provide Technical support to Regional Sourcing team on innovation, research, and development menus on sustainable raw materials & trims. Support & drive the business objectives and compliance requirements related to cost, vendor management, Sustainability, Traceability, Quality & Testing and other key stakeholders.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Strong fabric analysis & re-engineering knowledge is required
- Support and manage trim development needs for in region production and sourcing
- Conduct Raw Material Regional counter development & price quotations
- Conduct initial risk assessment on developing new fabrics or materials; improve existing core to maximize the core's usage without potential quality call out.
- Develop new fabric and manufacturing processes to achieve the company's sustainable goal; improve fabric performance and reduce production costs.
- Utilize technical expertise to realistically translate the design intent on fabric and yarn requests to meet raw material cost parameters and guidelines.
- Provide technical consultancy to support Innovation projects. In collaboration with the Innovation team, support the roll out of projects when ready for scale up.
- Act as a consultant to trouble-shooting any fabric technical issues with fabric production, such as issues with equipment or manufacturing processes, to ensure that production goals are met.
- Provide direction to materials suppliers; investigate new techniques and technologies to achieve category requirements
- Responsible to assess and secure quality risks during development to ensure compliance with brand Testing requirements.
- Collaborate with R&D team, Testing team and Product development team to determine the fabric requirements for new products and applications.
- Work closely with Testing team to review and analyze samples of fabrics, identify performance issues, and develop solutions.
- Communicate with Testing team to ensure fabric quality standards are being established before scaling up for mass production.
- Oversee sample fabric approvals with Design determining proper hand feel, wash, and construction.
- Develop & maintain a portfolio for regional vendors with curated vendor, market strength, capabilities, and opportunities.
- Manage and execute on seasonal calendars and activities to meet deadlines and drive continuous process improvements.
- Collaborate with Raw Material Procurement/Production team to drive consolidation & COO developments as per sourcing strategies.
- Collaborate with Sourcing Lead and Raw Material Associate on Annual, Seasonal Plans, Seasonal strategy, stay updated with procurement progress
- Mitigation of risk at production stage for Raw Materials & Trims, partnering with stakeholders
- Staying up to date with textile industry trend, innovation, new technology and sustainability that support new fabric development. Scan market for new partnership opportunties.
Experience, Skills & Knowledge
- Degree holder in textile technology or related discipline preferred.
- Experience in fabric/trim industry; prefer experience from both fabric mill and buying office.
- Strong technical knowledge fabric; knowing a broad range of fabric types is a plus.
- Familiar with fabric testing standards; demonstrate the ability to decide appropriate testing method or tool for new development.
- Strong analytical mindset and trouble-shooting skill.
- Organized and systematic team player; attention to details and quality standards.
- Able to manage multiple projects and deliverable deadlines.
- Clear communication skills, both verbal and written. Able to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and deliver fabric knowledge and support.
- Strong computer knowledge in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel
- PLM system knowledge would be an advantage
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Ralph Lauren will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance laws.
