Fabric Sourcing Manager – Woven Expertise

Company Description

Evolv Clothing Company, established in 1975, is a leading name in value-added apparel design and manufacturing. With an annual turnover of $20 million and a production capacity of 1.5 million garments, the company serves renowned European and American brands. Adhering to strict social compliance standards, Evolv operates state-of-the-art facilities with capabilities for hand printing, embroidery, complex sewing, and high-quality finishing. The in-house team of designers excels in developing full collections, encompassing fabric R&D, product development, and the latest applications and finishes.

Job Title:

Fabric Sourcing Manager – Woven

Job Summary

The Fabric Sourcing Manager – Woven is responsible for sourcing, developing, and managing premium woven fabrics required for garment production. The role focuses on vendor development, cost optimization, quality assurance, and timely fabric availability while working closely with design, merchandising, production, and quality teams.

Key Responsibilities

Fabric Sourcing & Development

- Source premium woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, viscose, blends, sustainable and performance fibers and finishes.
- Develop new and innovative fabrics aligned with customer design, performance, seasonal trends, and cost targets
- Coordinate fabric sampling, lab dips, handlooms, and approvals
- Maintain an updated woven fabric library and shade cards

Vendor & Mill Management

- Develop and maintain a reliable vendor base across domestic and international mills
- Negotiate fabric prices, MOQs, lead times, and payment terms
- Monitor mill performance and resolve supply or quality issues

Costing & Commercials

- Identify cost-saving opportunities through alternate mills, constructions, or finishes without compromising quality
- Track market trends in yarn pricing, dyeing, and processing costs

Quality Management

- Ensure lab dip, handloom, and bulk approvals meet buyer and internal standards
- Monitor fabric performance parameters (GSM, shrinkage, colorfastness, pilling, skew, tensile strength, shade consistency etc.)
- Address fabric quality issues proactively during sampling and bulk production
- Drive corrective actions with mills for repeat or critical quality failures

Production Support

- Ensure timely fabric availability for developments, proto, SMS.
- Work closely with product development, merchandising, and production teams for delivery planning
- Support production teams in resolving fabric-related issues impacting efficiency or garment quality

Compliance & Sustainability

- Ensure mills meet buyer compliance, social, environmental, and traceability requirements
- Support certifications such as GOTS, OCS, GRS, FSC, OEKO-TEX, BCI, etc.
- Maintain documentation and traceability as required by customers and audits

Key Skills & Competencies

- In-depth knowledge of woven fabric constructions, yarn types, and finishes
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
- Understanding of woven garment manufacturing processes
- Ability to analyze fabric performance and cost structures
- Strong coordination and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work under tight timelines in a fast-paced export environment
- Proficiency in MS Excel, ERP/PLM systems

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Technology / Textile Engineering / Fashion Technology, post-graduation is an added advantage
- 7–10 years of experience in fabric sourcing and quality for woven garments (experience may vary based on role level)
- Experience working with mills across India and/or international markets