Yarn R&D & Development Operations Manager

BoF Careers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation is seeking a Manager of Yarn Research & Development to lead yarn research, seasonal development, and commercialization for Polo Brands. The role collaborates with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, and sourcing offices to deliver commercially viable yarn solutions from concept to bulk production.

Qualified candidates will have a textile development background, strong yarn knowledge, and the ability to manage complex timelines, with proficiency in PLM and Airtable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Development, Fashion/Apparel, Product Development, Sourcing, or related field preferred.
• Experience in yarn development, raw materials, knitwear/sweater development, product development, sourcing, or related apparel function.
• Strong knowledge of yarns, fibers, blends, counts, gauges, spinning, dyeing, finishing, knitwear construction, testing requirements, and garment manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to evaluate yarn quality, hand feel, performance, costing, minimums, lead times, and supplier capabilities in support of seasonal business needs.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills; able to partner effectively with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, mills, factories, and spinners.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complex calendars, multiple seasonal priorities, accurate product information, and timely follow-through.
• Agile, solution-oriented, and commercially minded; able to quickly pivot, problem solve, and recommend innovative yarn solutions that balance design intent, cost, quality, and delivery.
• Strong computer skills, including Excel, Outlook, PLM, and Airtable; ability to maintain accurate development data and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal yarn research and development for Polo Brands, partnering with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, factories, mills, and spinners from concept through bulk production.
• Research and propose innovative, brand-right, and commercially viable yarn qualities, blends, counts, gauges, finishes, and sourcing options that support design intent, product performance, cost targets, and lead-time needs.
• Develop and maintain yarn platforms, seasonal yarn libraries, supplier capability mapping, and regional yarn strategies to improve consistency, flexibility, speed, and supply resilience.
• Manage yarn development timelines, lab dips, color approvals, stitch trials, hand-feel reviews, testing requirements, and production readiness milestones to support on-time sample and bulk delivery.
• Partner with mills, spinners, and sourcing teams to evaluate yarn feasibility, minimums, lead times, capacity, country-of-origin opportunities, quality risks, and cost implications.
• Support counter-sourcing, cost engineering, and value-analysis opportunities while maintaining Polo brand standards, product integrity, and required quality/performance expectations.
• Monitor seasonal yarn commitments, liability exposure, platform utilization, and carryover opportunities; communicate risks, recommendations, and mitigation plans to cross-functional partners.
• Maintain accurate yarn development data, costing information, approval status, supplier notes, and seasonal metrics in PLM, Airtable, and other team tools.

Skills

Textile development

Knitwear development

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

PLM & Airtable

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile Development

Tools

Excel

PLM

Airtable

Job description

Ralph Lauren Corporation is seeking a Manager of Yarn Research & Development to lead yarn research, seasonal development, and commercialization for Polo Brands. The role collaborates with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, and sourcing offices to deliver commercially viable yarn solutions from concept to bulk production.

Qualified candidates will have a textile development background, strong yarn knowledge, and the ability to manage complex timelines, with proficiency in PLM and Airtable.