R&D Associate, Trim

Ralph Lauren; New York (NY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren is seeking an R&D Trim Associate for the Raw Materials R&D + 3D Studio. You will contribute to material research, sustainability, and management of primary trim menus across brands.

The role involves counter sourcing, seasonless trim development, and integrating physical trims into the digital platform. You will collaborate with design, product development, and suppliers to execute trims, maintain libraries, and support development testing while staying ahead of trends in

Qualifications

• Knowledge of trim production processes and material characteristics.
• Experience with digital material libraries and data integration is a plus.
• Familiarity with studio operations and cross-functional collaboration.
• Basic understanding of sustainability concepts in materials.

Responsibilities

• Advance sustainability goals by driving studio initiatives and cross-functional education.
• Execute trims in keeping with the Ralph Lauren aesthetic.
• Track seasonless trim development requests across brands.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Conceptual thinking

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Learning agility

Tools

PLM

Adobe Creative Suite

Excel

SharePoint

Office 365

Job description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Purpose and Scope

The Raw Materials R&D + 3D Studio is seeking an R&D Trim Associate to help in the conception, and execution of material research, sustainable development, and support in the management of of primary raw material menus used across the corporation. This role will have a focus on supporting the studio trim manager in counter sourcing primary trim materials, developing seasonless trims, building of physical material menus, and strategically executing initiatives to meet corporate and team goals. Working with cross functional partners this position will also assist in facilitating the integration of physical trim materials onto our digital platform.

Responsibilities

• Will assist in advancing corporate sustainability goal success through creative practices by engaging and educating cross-functional partners through studio initiatives/pop-ups.
• Use your talent and skill to execute products in keeping with the Ralph Lauren aesthetic.
• Manage systematic intake and tracking of seasonless trim development requests across all brands.
• Ensure platformed and key trims are included in the primary material library and liaise with digital team to ensure it is added/ available in our digital raw material library.
• Support Trim Manager by working cross-functionally with design/ PD and with suppliers when needed to accurately execute seasonless trim developments.
• Manage and track Development compliance testing for Studio developed trims.
• Assist in building curated studio pop ups, research boards, and material selections for cross functional teams.
• Maintain and update Trim Material Menus, libraries, and archives both physically and digitally.
• Be a constant learner, with a passion for making things better. Actively keeping ahead of the curve by exploring current/ future trends, best development practices, opportunities for better processes, with a high level of interest in sustainable materials.

Salary range: $62,000 - $95,935 annually,

Requirements

• Strong organizational, communication and conceptual thinking skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Basic foundational knowledge of trim production processes, physical characteristics, and trim types.
• Knowledge of PLM preferred.
• Basic foundational knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), and Excel.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
• Ability to quickly learn new tools and processes.
• Experience working within Office 365, and knowledge of SharePoint is a plus.
• Ability to work well in groups as well as independently.
• Availability to work in-person 5 days per week with flexibility to work from home when schedule and workload allows.