Ralph Lauren Fabric Lead, Women's Polo

Ralph Lauren Corporation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation seeks a Fabric Lead for Polo Women's to drive fabric strategy, research, development and execution across the Polo Women’s business. This role partners with Design, Product Development, Sourcing and Production to deliver fabrics that support aesthetic goals while balancing quality, cost, sustainability and speed to market.

You will lead seasonal fabric concepts, manage development from concept to commercialization, build supplier relationships and champion sustainable

Qualifications

• Significant experience in textile research, fabric development, sourcing, and raw material innovation within apparel.
• Strong understanding of fabric construction, development processes, commercialization, costing, and sourcing.
• Experience partnering with global mills and suppliers to develop innovative fabric solutions.
• Strong understanding of product development calendars and the apparel product lifecycle.
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and emerging industry trends.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across Design, Product Management, Development, Sourcing, and Production teams.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal fabric strategy, research, development, and innovation across Polo Women's categories.
• Partner with Design and Product Management leadership to develop fabric direction that supports seasonal concepts, customer needs, and business objectives.
• Identify and drive new fabric opportunities through trend research, competitive analysis, market insights, and supplier partnerships.
• Present seasonal fabric concepts, recommendations, and innovation opportunities to leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Oversee fabric development from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment to quality, cost, and calendar requirements.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with global mills and suppliers to support innovation, quality, and execution.
• Partner with Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to ensure successful fabric execution and issue resolution.
• Champion sustainable material innovation and support the company's sustainability goals.
• Establish and maintain physical and digital fabric libraries to support seasonal development and organizational knowledge.
• Lead, coach, and develop talent while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

Skills

Textile research

Fabric development

Sourcing

Material innovation

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Job description

Company 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.

Position Overview

The Fabric Lead, Polo Women's is responsible for leading the fabric strategy, research, development, and execution across the Polo Women's business. This role serves as the key partner driving seasonal fabric direction, innovation, and commercialization. The Fabric Lead collaborates closely with Design, Product Development, Sourcing, and Production teams to deliver fabrics that support the Polo Women's aesthetic while achieving business objectives related to quality, cost, sustainability, and speed to market.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal fabric strategy, research, development, and innovation across Polo Women's categories.
• Partner with Design and Product Management leadership to develop fabric direction that supports seasonal concepts, customer needs, and business objectives.
• Identify and drive new fabric opportunities through trend research, competitive analysis, market insights, and supplier partnerships.
• Present seasonal fabric concepts, recommendations, and innovation opportunities to leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Oversee fabric development from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment to quality, cost, and calendar requirements.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with global mills and suppliers to support innovation, quality, and execution.
• Partner with Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to ensure successful fabric execution and issue resolution.
• Champion sustainable material innovation and support the company's sustainability goals.
• Establish and maintain physical and digital fabric libraries to support seasonal development and organizational knowledge.
• Lead, coach, and develop talent while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Significant experience in textile research, fabric development, sourcing, and raw material innovation within apparel.
• Strong understanding of fabric construction, development processes, commercialization, costing, and sourcing.
• Experience partnering with global mills and suppliers to develop innovative fabric solutions.
• Strong understanding of product development calendars and the apparel product lifecycle.
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and emerging industry trends.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across Design, Product Management, Development, Sourcing, and Production teams.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

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