Materials Developer New Solihull, England, United Kingdom

Gymshark Ltd; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Healthcare

Holiday entitlement

Pension

Flexible benefits

Employee discount

Wellbeing support

Family leave

Life assurance

Gym membership

Onsite lunch

Job summary

Gymshark in the United Kingdom is seeking a Materials Developer to drive end-to-end woven material development from concept to bulk production.

You will collaborate with Product Development, Design, Colour, and Sourcing teams, manage supplier relationships, ensure sustainability, and maintain technical documentation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in material development.
• Strong technical knowledge of material and fabric technology, including spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and washing processes.
• Good understanding of garment technology and construction.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing and commercial fabric testing standards.
• Experience working with suppliers and mills throughout the material development lifecycle.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to review supplier performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strong understanding of sustainable practices within material production and product development.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with the ability to anticipate and resolve material‑related issues.
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PLM or similar product lifecycle management systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel when required.

Responsibilities

• Developing and industrialising new woven materials across multiple product categories.
• Ensuring material development activities are completed in line with seasonal calendar deadlines.
• Collaborating closely with Product Development, Design, Colour, and Sourcing teams to align on performance, aesthetic, and production requirements.
• Partnering with mills and suppliers to develop innovative, high-performance, and sustainable materials from concept through to industrialisation.
• Supporting material quality and performance validation through laboratory testing and compliance assessments.
• Contributing to supplier performance reviews and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Integrating sustainability considerations into material development to help reduce environmental impact and enhance product sustainability.
• Maintaining accurate technical documentation, including material specifications, test reports, and sustainability records.
• Managing and updating physical and digital material libraries.
• Identifying opportunities to improve quality, performance, sustainability, and cost efficiency throughout the development process.

Skills

Material development

Weaving knowledge

Sustainability

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Detail oriented

Communication

Travel willingness

Tools

PLM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Help shape the future of Gymshark materials

At Gymshark, great products start with great materials. We're looking for a knowledgeable and detail-oriented Materials Developer to support the end-to-end development of woven materials, from initial concept through to bulk production.

This role is critical in ensuring our materials meet the highest standards of performance, quality, innovation, and sustainability while supporting the successful delivery of our seasonal product collections. You'll work closely with Product Development, Design, Colour, and Sourcing teams, as well as external mills and suppliers, to develop materials that help bring world‑class products to life.

WHAT YOU'LL DO.

As a Materials Developer, you'll play a key role in delivering materials that meet both technical and commercial requirements, ensuring development milestones are achieved on time and to the highest standard.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and industrialising new woven materials across multiple product categories.
• Ensuring material development activities are completed in line with seasonal calendar deadlines.
• Collaborating closely with Product Development, Design, Colour, and Sourcing teams to align on performance, aesthetic, and production requirements.
• Partnering with mills and suppliers to develop innovative, high-performance, and sustainable materials from concept through to industrialisation.
• Supporting material quality and performance validation through laboratory testing and compliance assessments.
• Contributing to supplier performance reviews and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Integrating sustainability considerations into material development to help reduce environmental impact and enhance product sustainability.
• Maintaining accurate technical documentation, including material specifications, test reports, and sustainability records.
• Managing and updating physical and digital material libraries.
• Identifying opportunities to improve quality, performance, sustainability, and cost efficiency throughout the development process.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in material development.
• Strong technical knowledge of material and fabric technology, including spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing, and washing processes.
• Good understanding of garment technology and construction.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory testing and commercial fabric testing standards.
• Experience working with suppliers and mills throughout the material development lifecycle.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to review supplier performance data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strong understanding of sustainable practices within material production and product development.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with the ability to anticipate and resolve material‑related issues.
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and PLM or similar product lifecycle management systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel when required.

Preferred

• Understanding of the activewear, sportswear, fitness, or fashion markets and emerging industry trends.

Onsite Collaboration: Due to the hands‑on and highly collaborative nature of the work within our Product & Supply Chain team, we have a minimum expectation of three days per week onsite at our Gymshark HQ. This ensures we can work closely together to innovate, problem‑solve, and deliver world‑class products for our community.

We’re an equal opportunities employer, and for us that means we always strive to be as inclusive as possible in all aspects of employment, right from your application. We’re committed to finding reasonable adjustments for candidates with specific needs or have a disability during our recruitment process, and all applicants will be considered fairly and equally. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. If you’d like to request a reasonable adjustment please email [e-mail].

THE PERKS.

Standard benefits include:

• Performance‑based Bonus opportunity
• Funded Healthcare benefit
• 25 days holiday, additional day for your birthday & Bank Holidays
• Contributory Employer pension scheme
• Flexible benefits programme – including salary sacrifice EV scheme, dental insurance, cycle to work, tech scheme, holiday trading
• Gymshark Employee Discount & long service awards
• Access to High Street cashback and discounts
• Financial, Physical and Mental Wellbeing Support
• Enhanced Family Leave package
• Life Assurance

Office location specific benefits include (HQ/IQ):

• Gym Membership to The Lifting Club (LC)
• Onsite lunch provision & coffee bars

Note: The bonus program and benefits have certain eligibility requirements. Gymshark reserves the right to amend these programs in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.