Yarn R&D & Operations Lead

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

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation is seeking a Manager, Yarn Research & Development to lead yarn research, seasonal development, and commercialization support for Polo Brands.

This role partners closely with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, mills, and spinners to develop commercially viable yarn solutions that support brand aesthetic, product integrity, quality, cost, lead time, and regional sourcing strategies from concept through bulk production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in textile-related field.
• Experience in yarn development or related apparel function.
• Strong knowledge of yarns, fibers, blends, and dyeing.
• Ability to evaluate yarn quality, cost, lead times, and suppliers.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Highly organized with meticulous attention to detail.
• Agile, solution-oriented, commercially minded.
• Proficiency in Excel, Outlook, PLM, and Airtable.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal yarn research and development from concept to bulk production.
• Propose innovative yarn qualities, blends, counts, gauges, finishes, and sourcing options.
• Develop yarn platforms, seasonal yarn libraries, supplier mapping, and regional strategies.
• Manage yarn development timelines, lab dips, color approvals, stitch trials, hand-feel reviews, testing requirements, and production readiness milestones.
• Partner with mills, spinners, and sourcing teams to evaluate yarn feasibility, minimums, lead times, capacity, and cost implications.
• Support counter-sourcing, cost engineering, and value-analysis while maintaining Polo brand standards and quality.
• Monitor seasonal yarn commitments, liability exposure, platform utilization, and carryover opportunities; communicate risks and mitigation plans.
• Maintain accurate yarn development data, costing information, approvals, supplier notes, and seasonal metrics in PLM, Airtable, and other tools.
• Prepare yarn development updates for weekly WIPs, milestone meetings, costing reviews, and leadership discussions.
• Identify and elevate issues related to yarn availability, color, quality, testing, minimums, cost, lead time, or delivery; drive timely solutions.

Skills

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Organization

Agile mindset

Problem solving

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree (Textile Development / Fashion / Apparel / Product Development / Sourcing)

Tools

PLM

Airtable

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Ralph Lauren Corporation is seeking a Manager, Yarn Research & Development to lead yarn research, seasonal development, and commercialization support for Polo Brands.

This role partners closely with Design, Merchandising, Raw Materials, Technical Design, Sourcing Offices, mills, and spinners to develop commercially viable yarn solutions that support brand aesthetic, product integrity, quality, cost, lead time, and regional sourcing strategies from concept through bulk production.