Sr. Materials Specialist *19-Month Contract*

Roots; Golden Horseshoe; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Roots is seeking a Senior Materials Specialist to lead fabric sourcing, development, and material management to meet quality, sustainability, and cost objectives. You will collaborate with PD&S, design, and production to ensure materials align with design intent and pricing architecture.

The role requires 7–8 years in raw materials management, a fashion-focused degree, and strong communication skills. A strategic, cross‑functional leader with a passion for sustainable materials will thrive in

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Fashion.
• 7–8 years of experience in raw materials management, sourcing, and development.
• Strong understanding of fabric construction.
• Experience with testing, quality assurance and sustainability practices.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication.
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office, Excel, and PLM systems.
• Flexible, adaptable; able to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Team player with ability to lead and collaborate cross‑functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead identification, sourcing, and evaluation of fabric materials from domestic and international mills/vendors.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to drive innovation and on‑time deliveries.
• Provide market trend insights and sourcing strategies to support objectives.
• Oversee fabric testing reports and development tools to standardize quality.
• Collaborate with PD&S, design, and production to ensure alignment with pricing and design intent.
• Resolve material costing, quality, and supplier issues cross‑functionally.
• Manage material development timelines and mitigate risks.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Fashion degree/diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PLM systems

Job description

Established in 1973, Roots is a proudly Canadian lifestyle brand that celebrates authenticity, quality, and community. Inspired by the great outdoors, we create timeless, sustainable apparel and leather goods designed for comfort and everyday adventure. At Roots, we believe in fostering a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and teamwork – where every team member plays a role in shaping our brand’s legacy. If you bring passion to everything you do, lead with integrity, and believe in the power of collaboration to drive growth, we’d love to have you on our journey!

Nature & Scope → Your Role at Roots

The Senior Materials Specialist *19-Month Contract* is responsible for leading and optimizing the fabric sourcing, development, and material management processes to align with the company’s quality, sustainability, and cost-efficiency objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of material trends, supplier relations, and cross‑functional collaboration to enhance product quality, innovation, and supply chain effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities → How You’ll Make An Impact

• Lead the identification, sourcing, and evaluation of a diverse range of fabric materials from domestic and international mills/vendors, ensuring compliance with quality, sustainability, and cost objectives.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers to drive innovation, improve material performance, and ensure on‑time deliveries.
• Provide expertise in market trends, emerging fabric technologies, and sourcing strategies to support business objectives and drive continuous improvement in material selection.
• Oversee fabric testing reports and development assessment tools to standardize quality expectations across functional teams.
• Collaborate closely with PD&S, design, and production teams to ensure materials align with pricing architecture, performance requirements, and design intent.
• Proactively resolve material costing, quality, and supplier performance issues by working cross functionally and maintaining strong communication channels.
• Manage the material development process to ensure alignment with calendar timelines and business needs, mitigating risks and optimizing efficiency.
• Enhance and oversee the maintenance of the physical and virtual fabric library, ensuring accessibility, organization, and ease of use for cross‑functional teams.
• Develop and implement best practices for fabric tracking, documentation, and compliance, ensuring adherence to sustainability and certification requirements.
• Lead the creation, organization, and management of the Raw Material Code (RMC) system for fabrics, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• Oversee wear test sample tracking and management, ensuring timely assessments and documentation for continuous product improvement.
• Ensure accurate entry of approved fabric content into internal systems (e.g., Momentis) to support design and production processes.
• Take a leadership role in coordinating and executing the seasonal supplier week, enhancing vendor collaboration and material selection processes.
• Oversee the core fabric development and continuously improve to ensure the quality meets our original standards to move forward with diversity in fabric mill options.

Qualifications & Experience → The Skills You Bring

• Degree or diploma in Fashion
• Minimum 7-8 years of experience in raw materials management, sourcing, and development
• Strong understanding of fabric construction
• Practical experience in testing, quality assurance and sustainability best practices Experience working with sustainable materials is an asset
• Outstanding written and verbal communication
• Strong computer skills, proficient use of Microsoft Office, Excel and PLM systems
• Flexibility and adaptability; able to problem‑solve and handle pressure well in a deadline‑driven environment with frequent rush assignments
• A team player with the ability to lead and collaborate across functions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

At Roots we appreciate that skills and expertise are cultivated through a range of experiences. We are committed to reflecting Canada's diverse landscape in our products, team, and workplace culture. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every listed requirement. Accommodations are available for applicants throughout the recruitment process.

Please note: Roots uses technology‑assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support parts of the recruitment process. These tools may be used to help review applications, assess qualifications, and support interview documentation. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by our Talent team and key leaders involved in the recruitment process.

The posted salary range is intended to reflect the competitive market value of this role and is provided to support transparency in our hiring process. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, relevant skills, demonstrated knowledge, experience, and overall fit for the position.