Global Fabric Manager

DICK'S Sporting Goods; Coraopolis (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

DICK’S Sporting Goods is seeking a Global Manager, Fabric R&D to lead development and bulk approval of fabrics across all apparel lines. You will work closely with Creative Design and Global Sourcing to troubleshoot, train teams on FIS verification, and manage mill partnerships.

The role requires expertise in textiles, activewear fabrics, and strong project leadership, with travel up to 20%. This is a full-time on-site position in the Pittsburgh area.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Supervisory and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to drive projects and manage project teams.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• Technical knowledge of yarns, fabrics, dyeing, printing, and finishing processes.
• Expertise in textile construction.

Responsibilities

• Supports Design R&D trend by attending relevant shows, visiting mills to explore innovative ideas, build up partnerships and ensure fabric library is maintained.
• Acts as specialist in textiles with deep understanding of active/outdoor performance wear fabrics, advising on engineered fabric needs and pricing.
• Works across all apparel for vertical brands and collaborates with suppliers to engineer new fabrics and approve bulk fabric quality.
• Oversees receipt and organization of bulk fabric approvals for all fabrics.
• Researches, vets and on-boards new mills.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Project management

Travel 20%

Textile knowledge

Fabric construction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering or similar

Job description

At DICK’S Sporting Goods, we believe in how positively sports can change lives. On our team, everyone plays a critical role in creating confidence and excitement by personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce, reflecting the communities we serve.

Overview

The Global Manager, Fabric R&D works across all apparel for vertical brands and works closely with suppliers to engineer new fabrics as directed by Creative Design. Responsible for the bulk approval of all fabrics and assists Global Sourcing Fabric Specialists to troubleshoot problems during the testing and development process. Works side by side with the global sourcing team fabric specialists to train FIS verification. Develops and manages global high performing mill matrix in collaboration with Global Sourcing that supports Design’s needs and the sourcing strategy. Ensures mill matrix is supported by the Design and Sourcing team. Drives mill scorecard process implementation to assist on mill recommendations, on-boarding and evaluation. Supports Design R&D trend by attending relevant shows, visiting mills to explore innovative ideas, build up partnerships and ensure fabric library is maintained.

• Supports Design R&D trend by attending relevant shows, visiting mills to explore innovative ideas, build up partnerships. Builds & maintains a highly functional, organized, relevant fabric library that is effectively utilized by Design.
• Act as specialist in the area of textiles, with deep understanding of active/outdoor performance wear fabrics, offering a strong knowledge base to the company to understand how to achieve engineered fabric needs, from appropriate mills, to countries of origin, to appropriate pricing, and all pertinent aspects of the textile industry.
• Works across all apparel for vertical brands and closely with suppliers to engineer new fabrics as directed by Creative Design. Assists Global Sourcing Fabric Specialists to troubleshoot problems during the testing and development process and is responsible for the bulk approval of all fabrics. Negotiates final costs for engineered fabrics. Play an active role in educating mills on overall data accuracy and training Global Sourcing Fabric Specialists on FIS verification entry for all fabrics.
• Oversees receipt and organization of bulk fabric approvals for all fabrics.
• Researches, vets and on-boards new mills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering or similar field
• 5-7 years of relevant industry experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Supervisory and leadership capabilities
• Ability to drive projects and manage project teams
• Ability to travel up to 20%
• Technical knowledge of yarns, fabrics, dyeing, printing, and finishing processes
• Expertise in textile construction

Virtual Requirements

• Cameras must be on during all virtual interviews.
• AI tools are not permitted to be used by the candidate during any part of the interview process.
• Offers are contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include ID verification.

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