Material Developer, Apparel

Materials Developer

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That's why we're driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

• Runner First:
  We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond:
  We do what we say we'll do
• Champion Heart:
  We give our all in everything we do
• There is no "I" in Run:
  We stay generous with our humanity
• Keep Moving:
  We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we're all moving towards something. Let's run there.

Your Job:

As the Materials Developer at Brooks, you play an integral part in the seasonal material development process, utilizing product and process knowledge. You will work with a cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations.

Your Responsibilities:

• Partner on material and trim development from concept brief through commercialization and production, ensuring alignment with seasonal milestones and product objectives.
• Manage workload according to the seasonal material development calendar and contribute to development process execution and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Product Line Management, Design, Development, and cross-functional partners to define and deliver materials, trims, performance attributes, features, and benefits that support seasonal product objectives.
• Collaborate with the Apparel Development team to evaluate material and trim prototypes, wear-test issues, and review milestones throughout the development process.
• Support the Materials team with special projects, off-calendar initiatives, and future strategic goals.
• Apply knowledge of material specifications, construction, identification, and industry testing standards to support development decisions that optimize product performance, quality, consumer experience, and cost targets.
• Manage material and trim documentation in Flex system data, ensuring FDS (Fabric Detail Sheet), TDS (Trim Detail Sheet), Test Reports, and approval information are accurate, complete, and current throughout the development process.
• Maintain an organized material and trim reference library, including approved materials, technical specifications, and approval records.
• Partner with mills and suppliers to support seasonal costing objectives and material development strategies.
• Partner with materials testing teams to ensure materials and trims meet performance requirements and commercialization standards within seasonal timelines.
• Collaborate with Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility partners to support alignment between material development activities and long-term sustainability goals.
• Maintain strong working relationships with material and trim suppliers to support development, quality, testing, innovation, and seasonal calendar commitments.
• Identify and evaluate emerging materials, trims, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities, partnering with suppliers and the Materials team to translate opportunities into commercial applications that support brand and product goals.
• Participate in domestic and international supplier visits, development trips, and trade shows to support material innovation and supplier partnerships.
• Coordinate vendor visits, supplier meetings, and tradeshow appointments for the Materials Team.
• Track, coordinate, ship, and receive domestic and international material and trim shipments in a timely manner to support development and commercialization timelines.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, development processes, team effectiveness, and speed-to-market.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Design or related field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)
• 5+ years of experience in engineering, troubleshooting, and testing performance knits and wovens
• Deep understanding and proven success working textile testing methods, a range of material constructions, and material processes
• Proficient in PLM systems to build, support, and maintain digital material library
• Computer proficiency with office software; MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Illustrator
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group to meet strategic objectives
• Effective project management skills and experience, including the ability to articulate goals and objectives, manage projects independently, and the ability to network and utilize internal and external resources
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organizing, and execution of…