Lead, Fabric Developer

canadagoose; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Canada Goose is seeking a Lead, Fabric Developer in Toronto. You will own the end-to-end fabric development lifecycle, focusing on material research, innovation, and industrialization, while aligning with design, quality, and manufacturing teams.

You will collaborate with the Creative Director and Paris atelier to source seasonal fabrics that reflect brand identity and support timely production. A strong technical background in textiles and experience with suppliers are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with a focus on design, fine arts; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years' experience working with fabric suppliers and 3rd-party testing facilities.
• Deep technical knowledge of textiles and non-textile manufacturing technologies.
• Excellent organization and communication skills; flexible in a fast-paced, creative team.

Responsibilities

• Act as key consultant for fabric-related inquiries tied to Creative Director capsules.
• Lead fabric development from concept through bulk readiness with scalable materials.
• Collaborate with Paris atelier and Toronto team to drive timely industrialization.
• Drive material innovation and evaluate new fabrics, constructions, and technologies.
• Manage timelines across capsules and mentor Fabric Associate Developer.
• Coordinate with Raw Materials Sourcing and quality/production teams.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design/Textiles

Tools

3rd-party testing facilities

Job description

Location

Toronto

Address

100 Queens Quay East Toronto, Ontario M5E 1V3 Canada

Job Title

Lead, Fabric Developer

Canada Goose isn't like anything else. We've built something great, something special - an iconic lifestyle brand with an inspirational and authentic story. At the heart of it is our promise to inspire and enable all people to thrive in the world outside. To Live in the Open. At Canada Goose, you're part of a movement that belongs to something bigger. One that seeks out the restorative power of nature and is driven by a purpose to keep the planet cold and the people on it warm. We endure any condition, observe every detail, and are building a community that believes in living bravely and coming together to support game-changing people.

Here, opportunities are everywhere - to try something new, to learn, to do meaningful and impactful work, and they're yours for the taking.

Position Overview

You are the go-to expert for all fabric-related inquiries supporting Creative Director capsules. Working closely with the Creative Director and Paris atelier, you curate seasonal fabric assortments that reflect brand identity while enabling efficient Industrialization. You lead the end-to-end fabric development lifecycle, with a strong focus on material research, innovation, and industrialization. You translate creative concepts into scalable, production-ready materials, ensuring alignment across design, quality, and manufacturing. With deep technical expertise in fabrics - particularly outerwear and performance materials - you bring a strong understanding of fabric construction, fiber/yarn selection, finishes, and performance attributes to guide development decisions. Partnering with cross-functional teams, vendors, and suppliers, you drive seamless execution from concept through bulk readiness. You also play a key role in elevating team capability by coaching and mentoring junior talent, while contributing to broader material strategies in partnership with the inline Materials Research and Innovation team.

About The Role

• Act as the key consultant for all fabric-related inquiries tied to Creative Director capsules.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director and Paris atelier to research, develop, and source seasonal fabrics that align with brand vision and support timely industrialization.
• Lead material innovation by identifying new fabrics, constructions, and technologies that enhance both creative expression and commercial viability.
• Drive the fabric development process from concept through commercialization, ensuring materials are scalable, cost-effective, and production ready.
• Translate creative direction into actionable development strategies, balancing aesthetics, performance, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Partner closely with Raw Materials Sourcing to onboard and commercialize new vendors and materials.
• Collaborate with the inline Materials Research and Innovation team to integrate key developments into the broader materials toolbox and support long-term material strategies.
• Maintain strong alignment with Toronto materials development team to leverage existing developments and avoid duplication.
• Oversee sampling and prototyping in partnership with Product Development to ensure accurate execution of material intent.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional teams (Paris and Toronto), vendors, and suppliers, ensuring clear communication and visibility on development progress.
• Support colour development in partnership with the Toronto colour team, ensuring smooth transition from lab dips to bulk production.
• Collaborate with the Raw Materials Engineer to review material performance insights and ensure alignment with quality standards for production readiness.
• Partner with Sourcing to align on lead times and minimums early in the development process, proactively mitigating risks at bulk production.
• Maintain and continuously evolve the materials library and toolbox.
• Manage multiple timelines across capsules with strong prioritization and decision-making.
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Fabric Associate Developer, providing guidance on technical development, workflow management, and professional growth.

About You

• Bachelor's degree with a focus on design, fine arts; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years' experience working with fabric suppliers and 3rd-party testing facilities.
• Deep technical knowledge and understanding of textiles and non-textile manufacturing technologies, with a passion for sustainable product development.
• Excellent organization skills and the ability to multitask.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, coupled with a high level of flexibility to adjust to change within a fast-paced, creative team environment.
• Technically sound Fabric and color development background within the Apparel or Textile industry.
• Ability to anticipate problems, offers solutions, and address issues with materials to meet the Creative Director's aesthetic goals and busi