Senior Raw Material Specialist, Fabric

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview
Manage fabric R&D and sourcing activities from new product development to bulk production covering multi-brands

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

* Closely work with product development team for smooth transition from development to bulk.
* Assess and mitigate risk at fabric level and propose solutions ensuring calendar adherence.
* Supports merchandising team and garment vendors on all fabric related issues in terms of on time and quality,
* To ensure the production of textile is completed in a timely and professional manner to achieve the goal of quality products and on time delivery.
* Resolve difficulties in areas of production and quality, acts as facilitator and mediator between those involved.
* Review and assess fabric quality/shade and mill performance as well as identified areas requiring quality and service improvement using the industry knowledge.
* Travel as required to textile mills and textile fairs.
* Mill performance assessment and guide the mill for an improvement wherever required.
* Coaching and developing the team
* Trouble shooting issues and escalating when appropriate.
* Trouble shooter with out of the box thinker
* Own business relationship with cross functional team.
* Manage cost and speed optimization.
* Drive process improvements

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

* Degree or diploma in Textile, Fashion Design or related field preferred.
* 8-10 years related experience in buying office or global sourcing company is an advantage.
* Experience in garment manufacturing or raw material manufacturing for branded apparel.
* Textile knowledgeable, and with comprehensive knowledge of the end-to-end merchandising process.
* Proven experience in staff or mills trainings, specific on quality / color approval is a PLUS.
* Share a passionate interest in fabric; visionary, highly proactive, fresh thinking, communicative, dots connecting and multi-tasking.
* High adaptability to changing business requirement and across functional team environment.
* Proficiency in using MS office & knowledge in PLM is an advantage.
* Fluency in both spoken and written English