Materials Developer, Footwear

Who is Allbirds?

At Allbirds, we believe in using business as a force for good. We're a global footwear and apparel brand with roots in New Zealand and our headquarters in San Francisco. Since 2016, we've been on a mission to prove that comfort, design, and sustainability aren't mutually exclusive. Our commitment to creating better things in a better way is fueled by a belief that the fashion industry needs to focus less on flash and more on thoughtfulness. And as a certified B Corp, we're dedicated to making the most sustainable products we can using premium natural materials - designed for life's everyday adventures.

Where we need help

This role will be assisting the materials team to develop the next generation of footwear materials for Allbirds and the industry. The candidate must possess a familiarity with footwear materials and their industry performance standards in addition to strong organizational and analytical skills. A bonus will be experience developing materials from natural fibers. The Developer will be responsible for keeping the physical material library well organized as well as ensuring the digital library has all the necessary info to help the Footwear Product team make daily material decisions. This role will be the point person for administering and reporting back all testing results of yarns, fabrics and other materials to all parties on the product team as well as working with overseas vendors.

What does the job entail?

• Be a key player in executing the Material strategy laid out by Allbirds Director of Materials.
• Understand, communicate and assimilate differences of standard industry footwear materials to material standards that substitute synthetics with natural or recycled fibers.
• Work alongside the materials team to execute all necessary testing and organizing of data so it can be easily interpreted
• Initiate material testing with 3rd party labs to make sure all materials are adhering to Allbirds materials standards.
• Partner with Allbirds vendors to make sure they are testing to the material guidelines and report findings back to you. Cataloging all data in an easy to read format for the teams 
• Develop a format for all bulk purchase order material testing results to be submitted to ensure Allbirds has 100% visibility to all material qualities at any given time
• Keep the materials library well organized with all necessary info such as cost, testing, material breakdown, etc.
• Monitor all bulk orders and notify the correct parties when an issue arises 
• Manage sustainability requirements with all vendors to ensure the standards are met
•  Manage and promote utilization of brand liabilities to Design and Merchandising seasonally

DELIVERABLES:

• Report quarterly on quality submits on materials to ensure our standards are being met across all categories. 
• Create a system or process to allow for automation in the Allbirds supply chain where Vendors can submit a standardized report into Allbirds and Allbirds can have 100% visibility to all material status and quality checks 
• Create and monitor development calendar to ensure all development dates are adhered to and that follow through is achieved
• Oversee fabric approvals with the materials team determining proper hand feel, sustainability requirements,  wash and construction are met

What kind of person are we looking for? 

• Good understanding of different fabric types and yarn make ups as they relate to footwear construction and components
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work directly with outside vendors to complete tasks
• Working knowledge and understanding of the material and footwear Production processes 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to present findings to the respective teams 
• Strong understanding of how footwear is made
• 3+ years in textile industry working with fabrics, yarns and materials for footwear 

What can we offer?

• Competitive salary + equity
• Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
• 401k employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Fitness benefits

Diversity

Allbirds is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. Allbirds policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, marital or veteran status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), sexual orientation, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.