Textile Colorist

W. L. Gore & Associates; Elkton (MD); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

W. L. Gore & Associates in Elkton, MD is seeking a Textile Colorist to provide color expertise for the SITKA and GORE‑TEX product portfolio. You will ensure robust shade quality, collaborate with CAD and Fabric teams, and manage color standards across seasonal palettes to meet development milestones.

The role requires strong color acuity, excellent communication, and project management skills, with a hybrid work arrangement at Gore’s Elkton facility. Travel up to 5% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Textile Science, Fashion or related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in color development.
• Superior rating on Farnsworth Munsell 100 hue test.
• Strong knowledge of color theory and color evaluation.
• Experience reviewing lab dips and color submissions.
• Proficiency with Outlook, PLM platforms, IQ color systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 5%.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate color analysis from sample development to bulk production
• Collaborate with CAD and Fabric teams on print colors, layout and strike-off comments
• Maintain accurate approval records to monitor fabrications and color consistency
• Communicate approvals, corrections and rejections within calendar timelines to vendors and overseas factories
• Maintain seasonal color reference library for lap dips and bulk swatches
• Support daily shade lab activities such as Production Shade Testing and Visual Review
• Liaise with customers and suppliers
• Onboard new customers and new vendors
• Cross functional interaction with IS, Planning, QA, sourcing, PDM

Skills

Color development

Munsell test

Color theory

Outlook

PLM platforms

COLORFLOW

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design/Science or related discipline

Tools

IQ color systems

PLM platforms

Outlook

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for a motivated and passionate Textile Colorist to join our Fabrics Organization in Elkton MD. In this role, you will work closely with cross functional teams to provide color expertise ensuring robust shade quality for our SITKA and GORE‑TEX® product portfolio. The color and shade capabilities provided by this role are critical in enabling our products to meet customers and end‑user needs to ensure our gear provides protection and comfort in the toughest conditions. The ideal candidate will possess high color acuity, strong interpersonal communication skills both internally and externally, and project management skills to meet the technical color demands of the business and marketplace.

About The Role

We are looking for a motivated and passionate Textile Colorist to join our Fabrics Organization in Elkton MD. In this role, you will work closely with cross functional teams to provide color expertise ensuring robust shade quality for our SITKA and GORE‑TEX® product portfolio. The color and shade capabilities provided by this role are critical in enabling our products to meet customers and end‑user needs to ensure our gear provides protection and comfort in the toughest conditions. The ideal candidate will possess high color acuity, strong interpersonal communication skills both internally and externally, and project management skills to meet the technical color demands of the business and marketplace.

This position will be located at our facility in Elkton, Maryland.

Pay And Benefits

• $75,000 - $80,000 per year
• Factors considered in extending an offer within this pay range include (but not limited to) education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits effective on Day 1 of employment! We offer a comprehensive total rewards package, including competitive benefits. More details are available at www.gore.com/careers/benefits

Responsibilities

• Responsible for providing accurate color analysis from sample development to bulk production
• Collaborate with CAD, Fabric teams on print colors, layout and strike-off comments
• Maintain accurate approval records to monitor multiple fabrications to ensure consistency of color within garments as well as seasonal color palette to meet product development milestones and calendar due dates
• Communicate approval, correction and rejection as necessary within calendar timeline to fabric vendors and factories overseas to meet product development milestones and calendar due dates
• Maintain seasonal color reference library for lap dips and bulk swatches
• Support daily shade lab activities such as Production Shade Testing and Visual Review
• Liaison for customer and supplier communication
• New customer and new vendor onboarding
• Cross functional interaction (IS, Planning, QA, sourcing, PDM)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Textile Science, Fashion or related discipline
• Minimum 2 years of experience in color development
• Must achieve a superior rating on the Farnsworth Munsell 100 hue test post interview
• Strong knowledge of color theory, color evaluation, and factors that influence color across fibers, fabric constructions, dyes, finishes and washes
• Experience reviewing and evaluating lab dips, strike-offs, and color submissions against established standards
• Excellent organizational skills required
• Must be familiar with Outlook, PLM platforms, Equipment Software – IQ color systems
• Experience with digital color management systems such as COLORFLOW®
• Work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to travel 5%

This position requires access to export-controlled areas and information. Candidates must be "U.S. persons" as that term is defined in 8 USC

• 1324b(a)(3). The term "U.S. persons" includes US citizens, resident aliens ("green-card" holders) as well as certain refugees, asylum-holders and residents qualifying for temporary residence under the terms of 8 USC
• 1255a.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement in the country from which the Associate is employed. Eligibility is dependent on the responsibilities of the role and business needs, and the Associate must agree to comply with Gore’s work arrangement policies.

Desired Qualifications

• Brand experience is highly desirable
• Color development experience in apparel textiles or fabric R&D is preferred