Raw Materials Specialist

Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands like Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid®, Sharpie® and Yankee Candle® - and 24,000 talented teammates around the world. Our culture is built on values in action:
Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. We work together to win, grow, and make a real impact—supported by a high‑performing, inclusive, and collaborative environment where you can be your best, every day.

Raw Materials Specialist

Petaluma, California

Sr. Sourcing Manager

This is a job summary which includes essential job duties of this position. More specific information regarding duties may be provided upon request.

• Fabric Development and Sourcing
• Under supervision, collaborate with Category Manager and design to understand seasonal brand direction and needs. Focus on pre-season developments that deliver against the brands aesthetics.
• Coordinates development of new fabric finish effects with vendors and the overseas fabric teams.
• Coordinates directly with the overseas fabric team and/or vendors to research fabrics
• Follow up with mills and off shore team members to ensure a completed Fabric Development Sheet and timely receipt of strike offs and fabric trials.
• Manage the fabric library.
• Quality.
• Ensure all fabrics identified as a risk are added to the chart and follow up to ensure all testing and risk mitigation is completed.
• Requests color standard needed. Initiates color standard distribution to domestic and Asian mills, and other areas when needed.
• Drafts and maintains seasonal mill card/item code fabric development books with current developments and lab dip approvals.
• Manage the Risk Assessment Tracking chart.
• Evaluates completed sample fabrics for weight, construction and finish, when requested.
• Process
• Maintain reporting metrics which will ensure the team is driving efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Ensure raw material calendar deadlines are met; provide timely updates on how development is progressing.
• Attends fabric hand-off meetings to review fabric selection and developments per season.
• Creates and maintains fabric profiles/item codes following fabric hand-off meetings.
• Attends key merchandising and design milestone meetings to advise on the development of desired fabric finishes and hand standards.
• Attends key meetings/fabric fairs/expos to identify potential fabric for new seasons, as requested by design. Assists in creating seasonal fabric trend presentations to share with design.
• Understand seasonal strategies to align day to day responsibilities.
• Receive and send parcels for the department
• Decision Making
• Ability to establish and build relationships across the organization and with supply chain partners.
• Ability to synthesize issues and propose solutions.
• Develop and utilizes KPIs to manage vendor performance, creative business strategies and award programs.
• Resourcefulness/Creativity
• Ability to develop creative and actionable solutions based on coaching and learning opportunities.
• Solve problems and make tactical and strategic decisions for all assigned responsibilities.
• Effectively and concurrently manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Informs Design on any salesman sample fabric discrepancies and provides options.
• Environment
• Must be able to operate in an environment of changing priorities and deadline.
• Meets regularly with the Category Manager(s) to stay current on most recent fabric developments and sourcing directions. Actively manages professional development.
• Ability to work closely with internal customers and other interested parties to deliver results that are in the best interest of facility and the corporation.
• Time Management and organizational skills to promote efficiencies with internal and external partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication to report progress, challenges and risk.
• Ability to work well under pressure and drive deadlines.

• University or four-year college degree in textiles, fashion or apparel design or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 2-5 years of experience with fabric production, preferably in the outdoor, travel,…