Director, Materials Innovation & Global Sourcing

Position Title: Director, Materials Innovation & Global Strategy

Reporting to Title: Chief Officer, Product Development & Production Sourcing

Summary: The Director, Materials Innovation & Global Strategy is the creative and strategic leader of the Raw Materials department, setting the vision for fabric research, innovation, and development while overseeing sourcing strategy and a global team across all material categories (fabric, leather, trim, hardware). This role is a true creative partner to Design — bringing original research, market and trend intelligence, and hands-on mill relationships to the table, not simply executing on design direction after the fact.

This person must be able to both develop and innovate — turning ideas into real, deliverable materials — and thrive in a creative, fast-paced environment where priorities and timelines shift quickly.

The Director owns the business/financial alignment for material sourcing, ensuring innovation is delivered within established pricing matrices, margin targets, and seasonal calendar. This person provides strategic direction, process optimization, and people leadership for the entire department, and ensures that the business requirements are properly met by the Sr. Managers.

Sr. Managers are accountable to ensure category performance and profitability are executed based on business needs and work cross functionally with Design, Development, Merchandising, Production and Finance.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Materials Research, Innovation & Creative Leadership

• Lead the creative vision and innovation strategy for all fabric development across all seasons and product lines.

• Conduct ongoing research into emerging fabric technologies, sustainable innovations, and global textile trends; proactively bring new materials, techniques, and ideas to Design ahead of seasonal need — rather than only responding to design requests.

• Travel to mills, trend shows, and fabric fairs (e.g. Première Vision, Milano Unica) to source innovation firsthand, build direct mill relationships, and stay ahead of the market.

• Serve as a true creative partner to Design — co-develop material direction alongside Design and the creative direction, while balancing creative ambition against price point, margin, and calendar and ensure execution can be achieved through the production process.

• Move fluidly between development and innovation — executing on active seasonal needs while continuing to push new ideas forward — in a creative, fast-paced environment where priorities shift quickly.

• Drive continuous innovation in sustainable fabrics, performance technologies, and special techniques, including unique finishes, washes, dyes, and treatments.

• Lead development of seasonal fabric strategies and own the pre-seasonal development calendar, ensuring innovation is delivered on time and aligned with production and business requirements.

• Establish and maintain the Raw Materials library as a brand aesthetic reference for fabric innovation.

Fabric Business & Financial Alignment

• Own business and financial alignment for fabric sourcing, ensuring all fabric selections align with established material pricing matrices and margin targets.

• Work collaboratively with the Sr Manager, Global Purchasing and Merchandising to build fabric specifications and sourcing strategies that meet both creative and cost objectives.

• Understand and operate within material pricing matrix requirements, making informed decisions on fabric choices that deliver both brand aesthetic and profitability.

• Lead strategic vendor negotiations to source innovative fabrics within cost parameters and margin guidelines.

Department Strategic Leadership & Coordination

• Set strategic direction and priorities for the Raw Materials department across all material categories (fabric, leather, trim, hardware).

• Define and execute department-wide processes and best practices that scale across all material types.

• Coordinate cross-category strategy and ensure cohesion and collaboration across the Raw Materials team.

• Hold Sr Managers accountable for profitability and business/financial alignment within their…