Fabric Research & Development Lead, Collection

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
The Lead, Luxury Fabric Research and Development is responsible for leading Fabric research, development & execution for our Women's Collection brand. This position will oversee and be accountable for fabric research and development while maintaining the aesthetic and integrity of the Luxury Brand and balancing the needs of the business.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
· Dual reporting to Senior Brand Creative Directors for Women's Luxury in New York and Italy. · Develop fabric design direction and execution by providing innovative and relevant research and development: targeted and sophisticated research, with sensitivity to the materials, the luxury and contemporary market, and with an awareness of current and historical trends and competition. · Collaborate with Senior Brand Creative Directors and design team to present and develop fabrics as part of seasonal concepts · Provide best in class research through imagery, competitive shopping, vintage procurement for style and fabric inspiration, for seasonal collections across fashion and as well as core styles. · Partner with merchandisers in New York & production/ development teams in NY & Italy to execute in line with creative direction & business strategy · Partner with merchandising team achieves objectives as related to cost, delivery and quality · Recommend preferred mill relationships, capabilities and pricing · Develop an integrated fabric development process within category which includes development of a digital and physical fabric library · Collaborate with teams across the organization to ensure development of effective relationships with mills and preferred vendors and help enhance the quality of fabric supplier relationships. · Act as point person for respective concepts - ensuring key product message and other design direction is prioritized · Be Inquisitive and innovative: Use initiative when liaising with other teams to bring forward ideas. Lead the creative development, research and idea pool. · Lead Fabric R&D team; Recruit top talent, train and develop team members.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge
· Understanding of the Ralph Lauren Collection (Women's Luxury) aesthetic · Strong Experience in Textile/Fabric R&D, development & sourcing; must have strong Luxury experience · Experienced working with mills globally; in depth experience with Italian based mills preferred · Strong fabric development expertise · Understanding of the product life cycle & business calendars · Ability to influence cross functional leaders and peers to achieve creative & business results · Strong stakeholder management and brand communication · Strong general computer/ digital skills