Senior Raw Materials Manager, R&D Fabric Knit

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 and evolve the Fabric Research and Development Department.
•Drive innovation, research and development menus on sustainable raw materials together with regional vendors and partners in keeping with the Brand aesthetic.
•As a part of the Raw Materials Team, brings new ideas and innovation each season while also conducting season-less, continual research and development.
•Work together with Raw Material and Product Team on development and allocation strategies.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the Fabric R&D process to translate the brand aesthetic into clear, executable direction for vendors/ suppliers.
• Develop a materials development and research strategy that supports the business objectives for the assigned area of responsibility.
• Alignment with regional sourcing strategies and ensure product and material expertise and capabilities showcased are in alignment
• Participate as key stakeholder in achieving company's sustainability goals, by developing sustainable fabrics and sources.
• Lead with Digital: Contentiously drive material and trims digitalization throughout the vendor base and fabrications
• Maintain consistent alignment with Design on overall concepts as it ties to the brand & seasonal strategies.
• Source seasonal design requests with appropriate vendors to offer creative solutions if the request is outside the brand's sourcing and pricing strategy.
• Collaborate with Raw Material Procurement/Product team to drive consolidation & COO developments as per sourcing strategies
• Attend fabric shows as appropriate to gain perspective on newness, innovation and sustainability and trend as it applies to the brand
• Utilize technical expertise to realistically translate the design intent on fabric and yarn requests to meet raw material cost parameters and guidelines.
• Analyze fabric needs across the brand and make recommendations to Sourcing & Production and Design for leveraging qualities across divisions.
• Develop & maintain a portfolio for regional vendors with curated vendor/market strength, capabilities and opportunities
• Responsible to assess and secure quality risks during development to ensure compliance with brand Testing requirements.
• Maintain a fabric resource library to support seasonal inspirations as well as archive historical and fundamental fabrications.
• Lead PLM updates related to fabric which will enable analysis through clear reporting.
• Ensure product development milestones and calendar dates are met.
• Build and clearly articulate & present seasonal boards and trends that represent overall brand strategy, design vision, and textile industry innovations and trends.
• Oversee sample fabric approvals with Design determining proper hand feel, wash and construction.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree in Textile, Fashion Design or related field
• 8-10 years of experience in fabric research and development
• 3-5 years of management experience preferred
• Excellent technical knowledge of all fabrications, constructions and yarns
• Working knowledge and understanding of Production
• Attention to details, initiative, organization and strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain data integrity
• Strong analytical and management skills
• Ability to negotiate and build consensus across multiple functions
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to regularly interface with senior management, work effectively with Designers and Production partners
• Fluency in both written and spoken English, Cantonese and Mandarin
• Proficient in PLM, Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel preferred