Leather & Materials Innovation Specialist

Designer Brands; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Designer Brands seeks a Raw Materials Specialist in New York City for hybrid work. You will develop leathers, materials, and trims, partnering with Design, Sourcing, and Product Development to translate concepts into material solutions balancing aesthetics, quality, cost, and sustainability.

Requires 8+ years in leather/materials R&D and a relevant bachelor's degree, with strong collaboration, analytical, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in leather and materials research and development.
• Bachelor's degree in Textile, Fashion Design, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop leathers, materials, and trims aligned with seasonal product strategies.
• Collaborate with Design and Sourcing to identify material innovations and trends.
• Manage supplier relationships and digitalization initiatives across the network.
• Support sustainability efforts, traceability, and material approvals throughout development.

Skills

Leather knowledge

Materials R&D

Footwear experience

Analytical skills

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile/Fashion or related field

Job description

Designer Brands seeks a Raw Materials Specialist in New York City for hybrid work. You will develop leathers, materials, and trims, partnering with Design, Sourcing, and Product Development to translate concepts into material solutions balancing aesthetics, quality, cost, and sustainability.

Requires 8+ years in leather/materials R&D and a relevant bachelor's degree, with strong collaboration, analytical, and communication skills.