R&D Material Manager

Pay Range

Base pay range: $/yr – $/yr. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.

We have a client that is a well-established and growing home textile company with a diverse multi-product assortment across key home categories, including table linens, kitchen textiles, pillows, rugs, mats, bedding, and bath. The company is known for its strong design capabilities, global sourcing expertise, and ability to respond quickly to evolving market trends while delivering high-quality, cost-effective products to major retail partners.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving material innovation, sustainability, and differentiation across multiple home textile categories.

The R&D Material Manager will lead the research, development, and sourcing of innovative fabrics, trims, finishes, and raw materials for home textile products. This role is responsible for identifying new material technologies, advancing sustainability initiatives, and ensuring materials meet performance, compliance, cost, and quality standards.

The position serves as a critical link between design, product development, sourcing, quality, and global suppliers/fabric mills to deliver market-leading and differentiated product offerings.

• Bachelor’s degree in Textiles, Material Science, Textile Engineering
  , or a related field
• 7–10 years of experience in material development, R&D, or sourcing within home textiles, apparel, or soft goods
• Strong knowledge of textile fibers, weaving/knitting techniques, dyeing and finishing processes
  , and fabric testing standards
• Experience driving sustainable and innovative material initiatives
• Established network of global mills and suppliers across key production regions such as India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, Egypt, Portugal, and others
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple developments across categories and timelines
• Proficiency in PLM/ERP systems and advanced Excel; CAD or textile design software a plus
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills

• Research, source, and develop new fabrics, yarns, finishes, and treatments aligned with brand positioning, cost targets, and quality standards
• Analyze global trend reports (WGSN, Fashion Snoops, etc.) to identify relevant textile trends, innovations, and emerging technologies
• Propose new materials and constructions to design and merchandising teams for seasonal assortments
• Co‑develop new fabrics, weaves, and finishes with mills while optimizing material costs and identifying savings opportunities
• Ensure understanding and application of raw material performance standards, including colorfastness, pilling, tensile and tear strength, and flammability

• Partner with sustainability teams to identify certified and eco‑friendly material solutions (GOTS, OEKO‑TEX, BCI, GRS, recycled polyester, etc.)
• Ensure all materials meet regulatory, safety, and retailer‑specific compliance requirements, including chemical restrictions and testing protocols
• Build and maintain strong relationships with global textile mills, material suppliers, and innovation partners
• Evaluate vendor capabilities and manage seasonal innovation briefs
• Negotiate lead times, minimum order quantities, and development costs

• Partner closely with design and product development to integrate innovative materials into collections
• Collaborate with costing and sourcing teams to ensure materials meet financial targets and production feasibility
• Work with quality and compliance teams to test and validate material performance

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive material library and database
  , including test results and supplier details
• Develop standardized procedures for material development, testing, and approvals
• Provide material education, training, and trend presentations to design, merchandising, and sourcing teams
• Strong curiosity and passion for textile innovation
• Deep technical expertise in fabric development and testing
• Ability to balance creativity with cost, quality, and feasibility
• Excellent vendor management and relationship‑building skills
• Detail‑oriented with a structured and disciplined R&D approach

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Research and Production

Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing