Materials & Colour Lead (Endura)

Pentland Brands; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + discretionary bonus

25 days holiday

Health perks including medical cash plan

Flexible working

Discounts on brands and retail

Job summary

A leading apparel company in the UK is looking for a Materials & Colour Lead to define and deliver the material strategy for various product ranges. This role involves sourcing materials, championing colour storytelling, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in material development, a passion for sustainability, and strong stakeholder management skills. Offering competitive salary and benefits, including flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• 7+ years' experience in material development or fabric sourcing.
• Strong technical knowledge of textiles and colour theory.
• Proven experience with material suppliers and supply chains.
• Passion for sustainability and ability to implement responsible material strategies
• Excellent storytelling and stakeholder management across design, sourcing, and production teams
• Commercial mindset balancing innovation with cost and lead times

Responsibilities

• Define and implement material strategies across product categories.
• Research and recommend new performance fabrics and sustainable materials.
• Oversee colour approval process and collaborate with teams.
• Drive material cost optimization while preserving quality and performance
• Develop colour palettes, seasonal colour stories, and trend boards aligned with brand DNA
• Translate trend direction into product colourways with design teams
• Oversee colour approval processes to ensure production consistency
• Embed material and colour strategy throughout the product lifecycle with cross‑brand teams
• Liaise with suppliers to meet technical and sustainability requirements (recycled content, Bluesign, OekoTex)
• Support production with material and colour risk mitigation (color fastness, performance)
• Contribute to reducing environmental impact through material/process innovations
• Mentor junior team members and help shape a long‑term innovation roadmap

Skills

Material development

Fabric sourcing

Colour design

Sustainability

Stakeholder management

Job description

Materials & Colour Lead (Endura) – Pentland Brands

As the Materials & Colour Lead, you will play a pivotal role in defining and delivering the material strategy and colour direction for our product ranges. You will work cross‑functionally with design, product development, merchandising, and sustainability teams to bring product innovation to life in a way that is both consumer‑led and purpose‑driven.

You’ll lead material selection, sourcing, and trend development – balancing technical performance with aesthetic appeal, sustainability requirements, and cost considerations. You will champion colour and material storytelling, ensuring our products are not only high‑performing but visually distinguishing.

Responsibilities

• Lead on defining and implementing material strategies across our product categories (e.g., MTB, road, protective).
• Research, evaluate, and recommend new performance fabrics, trims, and sustainable materials.
• Partner with R&D and sourcing teams to trial, test, and validate materials.
• Drive continuous material cost optimization while protecting quality and performance.
• Develop colour palettes, seasonal colour stories, and trend boards that align with brand DNA and consumer insights.
• Work closely with design leads to translate trend direction into product colourways.
• Oversee the colour approval process, ensuring consistency in production and specification.
• Collaborate with Design, Technical Development, Merchandising, and Marketing to embed material and colour strategy into the product lifecycle.
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure technical and sustainability requirements are met (e.g., recycled content, Bluesign, OekoTex).
• Support production teams with material and colour risk mitigation (e.g., colour fastness, performance).
• Ensure materials and colour choices support our sustainability goals (e.g., use of recycled yarns, reducing waste).
• Drive initiatives to reduce environmental impact through innovation in materials and processes.
• Monitor quality performance (durability, washing performance, wear) and work with quality control to resolve issues.
• Mentor junior members of the materials and colour team, fostering a culture of curiosity, craft, and continuous improvement.
• Represent the materials and colour function in cross‑brand and group‑level forums, contributing to Pentland’s long‑term innovation roadmap.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7+ years’ experience in material development, fabric sourcing, or colour design – ideally in the outdoor, performance, or cycling space.
• Strong technical knowledge of textiles (weaves, finishes, performance metrics) and colour theory.
• Proven track record of working with material suppliers and navigating complex supply chains.
• Passion for sustainability and experience implementing environmentally responsible material strategies.
• Excellent storytelling skills with a keen eye for colour, trends, and design.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across design, sourcing, and production teams.
• Commercial mindset, balancing innovation with cost and lead‑times.
• Proactive, self‑driven, and act as an owner – spotting opportunities and driving change.
• Alignment with Pentland principles: consumer‑first mindset, strong ownership, bold action, speaking your mind, and doing the right thing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + discretionary bonus
• 25 days holiday (increases with length of service and option to purchase additional days)
• Discounts: brand discounts (friends & family, JD Sports), sample sales, and other retail perks
• Family‑friendly benefits: generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health perks: medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, health screening
• Travel perks: season ticket loan, cycle‑to‑work schemes, electric‑car schemes, discounts on home charging units
• Flexible working: hybrid and flexible hours
• Chance to join employee networks focused on charity, D&I, and sustainability

Employment Details

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Design

Industry: Apparel & Fashion

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment.

We warmly welcome your application.

This vacancy is a newly created role as part of organisational changes. Final appointment will depend on the outcome of consultation processes and affected employees will have priority for consideration.