Fabric Development Manager - Apparel

iLocatum; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

iLocatum in New York, NY is seeking a Fabric Development Manager to lead the sourcing, development, and commercialization of fabrics, washes, trims, and raw materials across a portfolio of apparel collections, including children's apparel, private label, and licensed brands.

This NYC-based role manages the full fabric development lifecycle from concept through bulk production handoff, ensuring materials meet design, quality, cost, and timing targets while collaborating with mills, suppliers,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years in fabric or materials development or sourcing.
• Deep knowledge of textile construction, including yarns, knitting, weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, and garment wash development.
• Experience with domestic and international suppliers and overseas factories.

Responsibilities

• Lead fabric and raw material development from concept through bulk production.
• Source and develop seasonal fabrics, trims, washes, and materials aligning with design and cost targets.
• Maintain relationships with mills, suppliers, laundries, and factories worldwide.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, Merchandising, and Sourcing to secure timely material approvals and keep execution on track.
• Maintain PLM material library and fabric archives to support documentation and development.

Skills

Textile knowledge

Sourcing

Product development lifecycle

Vendor management

Materials development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Textile Science, Product Development, Apparel Manufacturing, Business, International Trade, or related field

Tools

PLM software

Job description

New York, NY

Fabric Development Manager

We are hiring a Fabric Development Manager to lead the sourcing, development, and commercialization of fabrics, washes, trims, and raw materials across a portfolio of apparel collections, including children's apparel, private label, and licensed brands. This is a New York City based role that manages the full fabric development lifecycle from initial concept through bulk production handoff.

Schedule

This position works in the office four days per week, with the option to work from home on Fridays.

Compensation

$80,000 to $100,000 per year, based on experience.

What You’ll Do

This role leads fabric and raw material development from concept through bulk production, making sure materials meet design, quality, cost, and timing targets. The Fabric Development Manager sources and develops seasonal fabrics, trims, washes, and other raw materials that align with design direction, sourcing capabilities, and financial goals, while building and maintaining relationships with domestic and international mills, suppliers, laundries, and factories. The role works closely with Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, Merchandising, and Sourcing to secure timely material approvals and keep execution on track. It also includes maintaining the PLM material library, fabric archives, and wash standards to support accurate documentation and seasonal development, researching textile trends and new materials or supplier opportunities, and analyzing fabric utilization across brands to improve costs, lead times, and overall efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Textile Science, Product Development, Apparel Manufacturing, Business, International Trade, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in Fabric Development, Raw Materials Development, or Sourcing within the apparel industry
• Strong knowledge of textile construction, including yarns, knitting, weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, and garment wash development
• Solid understanding of apparel manufacturing and the product development lifecycle from concept through production handoff
• Experience sourcing fabrics, trims, and sample materials from domestic and international suppliers
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and international vendors