Senior Material Quality Engineer

Columbia Sportswear Company; India; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company is seeking a Sr Materials Research Specialist to drive textile materials from concept to commercialization, coordinating with partners across teams, suppliers, and global offices.

The role emphasizes staying ahead of textile innovations, conducting internal testing, and ensuring cost efficiency while maintaining quality. Global travel up to 10% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5–8 years of professional experience in materials development.
• Bachelor’s degree in textiles or 5+ years in related field.
• Working knowledge of textiles, manufacturing and lab result interpretation.
• Strong written and verbal communication; organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel globally up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Lead raw materials development/commercialization for a product category.
• Collaborate to determine seasonal needs and supplier placement.
• Negotiate costs with costing department based on market conditions.
• Work with materials quality and global teams on testing and quality.
• Stay informed on textile innovations and conduct internal testing.

Skills

Textiles knowledge

Experience (5–8 years)

Communication

Organizational skills

Travel readiness

Excel

Word

Education

Bachelor’s degree in textiles

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job Summary

The Sr Materials Research Specialist is directly responsible for the development of textile materials from concept to commercialization for a segment of a product line, managing the process and interface between partners across teams.

Responsibilities

Owns the raw materials development/commercialization process for a product category. Collaborates to determine seasonal needs, identify regions/suppliers based on established source plan, while utilizing working knowledge of suppliers’ abilities/limitations and strengths/weaknesses to ensure high standards of performance. Collaborates with global liaison offices in regard to supplier placement, specific performance, aesthetic, and testing needs as well as offer technical guidance during the development process and bulk. Interfaces with costing department to ensure costs are analyzed and intelligently negotiated to best possible price based on current market conditions. Partners with materials quality team to perform risk assessment on relative materials and with liaison offices to develop action plans to ensure best-in-class quality. Actively participate and facilitate the timely development and commercialization of the seasonal product category. Stays abreast of new technologies in the textile market and pursues innovation at all times. Works with in-house testing lab to conduct technical research in relation to materials performance improvements. Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, applicable certification or equivalent experience.
• Typically requires 5-8 years of professional experience and strong competency with the various tools, systems, or procedures required to accomplish the job.
• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in textiles and/or five or more years experience in materials development/materials laboratory, sourcing or related field.
• Must have working knowledge of textiles, familiarity with textile construction methods and manufacturing, materials testing and appropriate interpretation of lab results as they pertain to products.
• Possess working knowledge of materials and functional aspects of garments Possess strong organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet strict timelines, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work extended hours if necessary
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills to deal with various levels of management and partners within the organization, raw materials vendors and global personnel
• Ability to motivate individuals involved in the development process
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Physical ability to travel globally on commercial transportation; visual acuity for analyzing samples and color; sitting, standing, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds and finger dexterity.
• Travel: Occasional - 10%
• Work Schedule: Standard Hours
• Career Band: Professional Jobs on this career band have a knowledge management focus and are primarily responsible for results achieved through their own work. Requires the application of theoretical knowledge, typically gained through formal education or equivalent work experience that provides knowledge of and exposure to fundamental theories, principles and concepts of a defined profession. Jobs at higher career levels may guide small teams in their area of subject matter expertise. Jobs at the at the most senior levels of this career band set disciplinary strategy within their areas of expertise.

Criteria & Management Requirements

• Problem Solving: Solves complex problems and develops independent creative solutions based on the evaluation of multiple options.
• Decisions: Independently analyzes issues of a diverse scope and functions with a moderate degree of autonomy. Receives minimal direction, seeks guidance for highly complex issues.
• Knowledge: In depth knowledge of principles, concepts, and theories within own discipline and working knowledge of related disciplines. Applies broader knowledge of industry standards/practices to assignments and others.
• Business Acumen: Understands best practices; is aware of the differences between the company and its competition in the supported function. Understands how their own functional area integrates with others to deliver results.
• Communication & Influence: Explains difficult or sensitive information; works to build consensus. May provide process and subject matter advice.
• Impact: Work performed will have impact on cross‑functional projects beyond the department.
• Leadership: No supervisory responsibility. Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience. May lead projects with manageable risks and resource requirements. May contribute input to the performance review of other team members.

Work Environment

Active Office Other Work Environment Requirements: Active Office: May be in a more active environment that can be physical or strenuous in nature, frequently uses computer, other standard office equipment, or specialized equipment. Some exposure to noise, dust, odors. Other Physical Requirements: Active Office: Generally less sedentary, may frequently require ability to move about or adjust/move items weighing up to 20 lbs. in all directions; Constantly requires collaboration and the ability to communicate with others to exchange information while in a typical office setting. Collaboration is generally conducted in person unless the role has been pre-approved for remote work.

Company

Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in designing, sourcing, marketing, and distributing outdoor and active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment. Our four primary brands — Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna — complement each other to address the diverse needs of active consumers and their products have gained an international reputation for their innovation, quality and performance. Learn more about our family of brands here.