Head Of Technical Fabrics

Our client is a globally recognized, privately held manufacturer of high-performance technical fabrics with a 60-year + heritage of innovation in engineered textiles. Operating production facilities in both the United States and Europe, they serve demanding customers across the outdoor, tactical, defense, marine, industrial, and specialty consumer markets. Their products are recognized as best-in-class for performance, precision, and durability - and they supply some of the most demanding end-use applications in the world.

This is a rare and significant leadership opportunity - the company is seeking a Head of Technical Fabrics to take full commercial ownership of a high-growth business unit that represents approximately 45% of total company revenue. This division encompasses proprietary laminated fabric platforms serving the outdoor and tactical markets with a well-known ingredient brand, plus custom engineered markets, including well-established product lines with strong brand equity and a growing pipeline of custom applications.

The Head of Technical Fabrics had to be direct. The company has capable salespeople who can sell existing products; what this role requires is something different - a technically fluent commercial leader who can sit across from a customer, deeply understand their performance requirements, and co-create a fabric solution that meets a need that may not yet have a product. The previous leader in this role was known for exactly that capability, and it drove meaningful growth.

The goal now is to find someone who can do the same and take the division further.

This person will manage two dedicated sales professionals while also being a hands-on commercial leader in their own right - owning key customer relationships, leading new business development, and driving the strategic direction of the division. Also, one marketing coordinator reports to the Head of Technical Fabrics.

• Own and grow the full technical fabrics commercial portfolio - proprietary laminated fabric platforms for outdoor, tactical, and custom engineered applications
• Manage two sales professionals, providing direction, coaching, and commercial strategy to maximize their effectiveness across existing accounts and new opportunities
• Lead customer-facing engagement at the highest level - meeting directly with brand partners, procurement teams, and technical decision makers to develop solutions and close business
• Pioneer new applications and market segments for the technical fabrics division - identifying whitespace, developing go-to-market strategy, and executing against a growth mandate
• Own revenue targets and business development pipeline for the division

• Serve as the primary technical resource in customer conversations - translating performance requirements into product specifications and working collaboratively with internal engineering and production teams to develop solutions
• Identify gaps in the product portfolio and drive new product development in response to customer and market needs
• Stay current on competitive landscape, material science developments, and emerging applications in technical textiles, outdoor, and tactical markets
• Support customer qualification, sampling, and technical approval processes for new and custom applications

• Report directly to senior company leadership and serve as the internal voice of the technical fabrics business unit
• Collaborate cross-functionally with production, engineering, and quality teams to ensure customer commitments are met and product performance is maintained
• Represent the company at key industry trade shows, customer events, and market-facing engagements
• Contribute to pricing strategy, margin management, and overall P&L for the division

• Deep technical background in high-performance fabrics, technical textiles, laminated materials, coated fabrics, or specialty engineered textiles - you must be able to speak the language of materials science fluently with sophisticated customers
• 7+ years of commercial experience in a technical or specialty materials environment - this role requires both technical credibility and sales effectiveness
• Proven track record of customer-driven product development - you have experience sitting with a customer, understanding their problem, and developing a product or solution that meets a need
• Experience managing a commercial team - you know how to lead, coach, and develop salespeople while also being productive as an individual contributor
• Strong new business development capability - you are a hunter as much as a farmer
• Familiarity with markets such as outdoor, tactical, defense, marine, industrial, or specialty consumer applications is a meaningful advantage
• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Engineering, or related technical field preferred
• Willingness to be on-site at the Putnam, CT…